Ecological succession

Question 1

define ecological succession

Answer 1

sequence in communities where one community replaces another over time and there are long term changes in ecosystem. this changes food and shelter etc.. for other organisms

Question 2

Explain primary succesion

Answer 2

plants and animals settle for the first time in an environment where there was no life before, bare rock, lichen settles and moss breaks down rock(decomposition), creates humus layer and soil. spores and seed blow into soil. ferns, grass and small shrubs grow. then smaller trees and larger hard wood trees.

Question 3

what is community climax

Answer 3

endpoint when a complex community becomes a stable ecosystem.

Question 4

explain secondary succession

Answer 4

an area of vegetation was cleared due to disturbance and remaining soil and nutrients are there. pioneer species from wind or dormant seeds in topsoil usually grass or alien species and succession is fast due to top soil

Question 5

define pioneer species

Answer 5

first established species in an area that has never had life or where they used to be life before but not anymore.