Download Option G: Ecology and conservation

Ecosystems have a lifecycle that usually ends with a
natural “disaster” such as a forest fire. The result is
a clear fertile area for plants to colonize with
different abiotic and biotic factors then the preceding
forest.
Primary succession involves pioneer species developing and
stabilizing the ecosystem. Slowly they change the abiotic &
biotic factors of the ecosystem. Secondary succession
involves a change in the dominant species of the area over
time.
New volcanic island in the canary
islands
During primary succession gross productivity rises as small plants
are replaced by larger plants, productivity increases, biomass
increases, diversity increases, soil is built, minerals
accumulate, erosion is reduced
Taiga
The winters in the taiga are very cold
with only snowfall. The summers are
warm, rainy, and humid.
Most precipitation falls as rain in the
summer.
There are few plants in the taiga
because of the harsh conditions. There
are some lichens and mosses, but
most plants are coniferous trees.
Animals tend to be predators like the
lynx, wolverines, bobcat, minks and
ermine. They hunt herbivores like
snowshoe rabbits, red squirrels and
voles.
Red deer, elk, and moose can be found
in regions of the taiga where more
deciduous trees grow.