Download Primary and Secondary Succession

Primary and Secondary
Succession
Ecological Succession
Ecosystems are constantly
changing in response to natural
and human disturbances.
As an ecosystem changes, older
inhabitants gradually die out and
new organisms move in, causing
further changes in the community.
Primary Succession
Occurs on new lands where no soil
exists
The first species to populate the area
are called pioneer species.
Picture shows
plant growth on new
lava
Secondary Succession
When a disturbance of some kind
changes an existing community without
removing the soil
– Examples: wildfires burn woodlands
The four pictures show succession in a
small area in New York.
1.) In which stage is grass mostly found?
2.) The grasshopper sparrow is so named because of
what it eats. Why do you think it is mostly found in
stage 1?
3.) What new species appears in Stage 3? What can
you hypothesize about this species based on the four
pictures?
4.) By Stage 4, what type of vegetation has taken over?
5.) How did the trees change the environment, making it
less favorable for the grasses to grow?
6.) Which animal survived in all stages of this
succession? Why?
Environmental Change and How it
Impacts Ecosystem Stability
In your groups research your assigned
topic. What happened? In which
biome did the even occur? How did it
effect the environment? How has the
environment changed as a result of
the dynamic environmental change?
Include information on succession.
Provide a 3 minute presentation for
the class. Every member must speak!