Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k03vxRYsJ4Y • After watching the video and discussion: • Draw and Summarize in your own words what ecological succession is and how it affects the populations.

SUCCESSION • Changes in an ecosystem over time. • All ecosystems go through succession • Two types of Succession. • Primary Succession • Secondary Succession

Primary Succession • Occurs on substrates that never previously supported living things such as on volcanic island, lava flows, rock left behind by glacier as it retreats

PRIMARY SUCCESSION

Primary Succession • Bare Rock is broken down by lichens, mosses, bacteria to make soil • Weeds and grasses begin to grown in the small amount of soil . . . They add to the organic matter as they die and are broken down by bacteria • Bushes and shrubs begin to grow as the soil deepens • The first trees are Pines and Hickories • This eventually grows into a mature forest

PRIMARY SUCCESSION

Flowing lava is so hot it destroys everything in its path, but when it cools it forms new land. • The colonization of new sites is called Primary Succession.

After cooling, lichens begin growing on the sufaces of rocks.

Small patches of soil, from decaying organisms, allow weedy plants to begin growing.

Soil builds up and seeds move into larger patches of soil.

Primary Succession can occur in various locations as seen on this church.

An early grassland found at the base of Capulin Volcano, New Mexico

Mature grassland with small trees

Climax Community - mature, stable ecosystem.

Secondary succession • Begins in habitats where communities were partially destroyed by some kind of damaging event. • Begins on substrates that already have soil and contain a native seed bank within soil

Secondary Succession - occurs after human intervention or a natural disaster.

Forest after a fire. Young trees begin to grow.

Secondary Succession takes less time to reach a climax community since pioneer species are not involved.

Ecological Succession