Succession

Question 1

Ecological Succession

Answer 1

The process by which communities in a particular area change over time, takes place as a result of complex interactions between abiotic and biotic factors

Question 2

Early Successional (or Pioneer) Communities

Answer 2

Characterised by: simple structure with a small amount of species interactions, broad niches, low species diversity

Question 3

Climax Communities

Answer 3

Final stage of succession in which communities remain stable and exist in balance with each other and their environments. Characterised by: complec structures with a large number of species interactions, narrow niches, high species diversity

Question 4

Primary Succession

Answer 4

The colonization of a region where there is no pre-existing community. A classical sequence of colonization begins with lichens, mosses, and liverworts, progresses to ferns, grasses and shrubs, and culminates in a climax community of mature forest

Question 5

Secondary Succession

Answer 5

Occurs when a previous community has been cleared by a disturbance that does not involve complete soil loss. Because there is soil still present, the ecosystem recovery tends to be more rapid than primary succession, although the time scale depends on the species involved and on climatic and edaphic (soil) factors

Question 6

Cyclic Succession

Answer 6

A pattern of vegetation change in which a small number of species tend to replace each other over time in the absence of large-scale destruction

Question 7

Deflected Succession

Answer 7

The deflection of the natural course of succession by humans eg. through controlled burning and mowing. The resulting climax community will differ from the natural (pre-existing) community