Download Ecological Succession

Warm-ups
Algae -> Plankton -> Small Fish -> Big Fish -> Man
3. Draw an energy pyramid for the food chain above.
4. Which of the following would have the most energy?
Algae
b. Small Fish
c. Big fish
d. Man
a.
5. Which would have the smallest dry mass?
a. Algae
b. Small Fish
c. Big fish
d. Man
Ecological Succession
Ecological Succession
 Biological Community

A biological community is a group of interacting populations
that occupy the same area at the same time.
Ecological Succession
 Limiting Factor

Any abiotic factor or biotic factor that restricts the numbers,
reproduction, or distribution of organisms is called a limiting
factor.

Includes sunlight, climate, temperature, water, nutrients, fire,
soil chemistry, and space, and other living things.
Ecological Succession
 Biodiversity

The variety of organisms in a given area is called biodiversity.

Physical factors can have a big influence on biodiversity. High
or low temperatures, or limited food or water can lower
biodiversity.

Ecosystems with high biodiversity are often more able to resist
damage.

Damage to ecosystems can be caused by severe weather events
or human activities. Systems with low biodiversity can be
severely damaged easily. When biodiversity decreases in any
ecosystem, that ecosystem is not as healthy as it could be.
Ecological Succession
 Range of Tolerance

An upper limit and lower limit that define the conditions in
which an organism can survive.

The ability of any organism to survive when subjected to abiotic
factors or biotic factors is called tolerance.
Ecological Succession
 Ecological Succession

The change in an ecosystem that happens when one
community replaces another as a result of changing abiotic and
biotic factors is ecological succession.
Ecological Succession
 Steps of Ecological Succession

Primary Succession

Secondary Succession

Climax Community
Ecological Succession
 Primary Succession

The first organisms to appear in a newly made habitat are often
called pioneer species. They change the habitat in such a way
that other species can live in the ecosystem.

This establishment of a community in an area of exposed rock
that does not have any topsoil is called primary succession.
Ecological Succession
 Primary Succession
Ecological Succession
 Secondary Succession

The orderly and predictable change that takes place after a
community of organisms has been removed but the soil has
remained intact is secondary succession.
Ecological Succession
 Climax Community

A climax community is the terminal stage of an ecological
succession sequence which remains relatively unchanged as long
as biotic and abiotic factors remain stable.
Ecological Succession
Ecological Succession
 Ecological Succession