Download Ecological Succession Primary vs. Secondary What is Succession?

Ecological Succession
Primary vs. Secondary
What is Succession?
• The replacement of one type of
community by another
Primary Succession
• The growth of a community where
one had not existed
– Occurs with newly exposed rock, sand, or
lava
Pioneer Species
• First organisms present in a new
community
- Start the process of succession by
breaking down rock into soil (i.e. lichen,
moss)
Primary Succession
Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
• The re-growth of a community after
it is disrupted
– Can happen as long as soil is still present
– Examples: forest fire, cleared forest,
plowed field, etc.
Secondary Succession
Secondary Succession
Climax Community
• Mature community dominated by
slow-growing, well-adapted climax
species (i.e. large trees & animals)
Biodiversity
• The variety of organisms present in
an area
– High degree of biodiversity in a mature
community
– Helps to stabilize the community
Primary vs. Secondary
• An old house was torn down. Small weeds
and grasses grew in the vacant lot. Over the
next few years, bushes and tree seedlings
began to grow.
Secondary
Primary vs. Secondary
• An undersea volcano erupted and formed a
small island. Mosses and lichens began to
grow on the bare volcanic rock.
Primary
Primary vs. Secondary
• A logging company cut down all the large
spruce trees in an area of forest. After the
area was cleared, spruce seedlings began to
sprout. Rabbits, birds, and deer returned to
the area.
Secondary
WRAP IT UP!
• Primary succession starts from ___________
with _______________ (species)
• Secondary succession starts from __________
with _______________ (species)