Download Part I: Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession
Interdependence within Environmental Systems
Part I: Ecological Succession
Read the article in your Student Guide, then answer the following questions.
1. What is ecological succession?
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2. What are the two major types of ecological succession?
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3. What is a “pioneer species?” Give an example.
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4. What type of succession is occurring since the 2011 Texas wildfires? Explain.
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5. What final ecological stage will exist in Bastrop County after many years of succession?
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6. On a separate sheet of paper, create a Venn Diagram using the following descriptors to compare
and contrast primary and secondary succession:
a) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
e) 
f) 
g) 
Can reach a climax community
Forms on exposed rock
No soil
Organisms are currently there
Pioneer species will emerge
No previous living organisms living there
Most common type
h) 
i) 
j) 
k) 
l) 
Occurs after volcanic eruptions
Occurs after a hurricane
Occurs with glaciers
Occurs after a wildfire
Gradual change in the environment
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Ecological Succession
Interdependence within Environmental Systems
Part II: Succession Stations
After visiting each station, answer the following questions.
Station 1: Mount St. Helens – Before and After
1.  What are two characteristics of a volcanic eruption?
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2.  How would these animal populations be affected by the habitat destruction caused by this
volcanic eruption?
a) 
b) 
c) 
Eagles:
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Trout:
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Wolves:
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3.  After some time, various organisms would return and establish themselves at this site as
pioneer species. Would all of the organisms be the same ones that were there before the
eruption? Explain your answer.
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Station 2: Hurricane Katrina
1.  Describe three characteristics associated with a hurricane.
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2.  How were organisms in the locations pictured affected by the hurricane?
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3.  How would the storm surge from the hurricane affect plant life? Animal life?
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Ecological Succession
Interdependence within Environmental Systems
Part II: Succession Stations, continued
Station 3: Forest fire
1.  What are two characteristics of a forest fire?
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2.  The forest fire was a catastrophic event that caused habitat destruction. However, sometimes
this can be helpful in an environment. What are the possible benefits for organisms that
survived and new organisms that will appear in the forest?
a) 
b) 
c) 
A population of deer:
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Plant species:
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A climax community old growth forest:
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Station 4: Kilauea Lava Flow
1.  Describe two characteristics of a lava flow.
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2.  What challenges exist for pioneer species plant seeds that are blown onto an area newly
covered with lava?
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3.  Would you expect to see pollinators such as butterflies and other insects in this area six months
after the volcanic eruption? Why, or why not?
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Ecological Succession
Interdependence within Environmental Systems
Part II: Succession Stations, continued
Station 5: Indonesian Tsunami
1.  Describe the cause of a tsunami.
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2.  Make sketches of what you predict the landscape will look like as succession occurs after the
Indonesian tsunami.
2 years
5 years
10 years
20 years
Station 6: Strip Mines
1.  What is strip mining?
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2.  Will the land that has undergone the strip mining process return to its original state after
reclamation? Explain.
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3.  How might strip mining affect the diversity of species in an area?
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Ecological Succession
Interdependence within Environmental Systems
Part III: Field Investigation and Technology Connections
1.  What type of data are you collecting during this investigation (qualitative or quantitative)?
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2.  Why are you collecting this type of data in this investigation?
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3.  List the safety precautions and rules your teacher provides while working in the field.
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4.  Use the space below to plan your presentation with your group.
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Ecological Succession
Interdependence within Environmental Systems
Reflections and Conclusions
1.  What is a climax community?
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2.  Describe how the destruction of a habitat by a natural disaster might affect species diversity.
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3.  Describe how the destruction of a habitat by a natural disaster might affect the diversity of a
population.
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4.  How would the destruction of a habitat by human causes affect the diversity of numbers of
species or populations of species? Give an example.
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5.  How do biological competition and limiting factors affect species and populations during
succession?
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6.  Why is species diversity important in an ecosystem?
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7.  Using the following terms, create a graphic organizer. Use additional paper if necessary.
Terms: biodiversity, habitat destruction, succession, primary succession, secondary succession,
climax community, limiting factor, natural disasters
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