What is the definition of succession in ecological terms?
Gradual change in community
What is the starting point of primary succession?
Bare rock or newly formed land
Order the stages of succession:
1️⃣ Pioneer Stage
2️⃣ Intermediate Stage
3️⃣ Climax Stage
Climax communities exhibit high levels of biodiversity.
What is the role of pioneer species in succession?
Colonize barren environments
Abiotic factors such as soil nutrients, sunlight, and water availability influence the types of species that can colonize and thrive in a given environment
Succession leads to a stable climax community.
In primary succession, the pioneer species are typically lichens and mosses.
In the pioneer stage, lichens and mosses break down rock to create soil.
In the pioneer stage, pioneer species like lichens and mosses colonize barren environments, breaking down rock
Climax communities represent the final, stable stage of succession
What is the ecosystem state of a climax community in succession?
Stable equilibrium
The intermediate stage of succession is characterized by well-established soil conditions.
False
Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a barren environment.
True
The pioneer stage has moderate species diversity.
False
The pH of soil affects nutrient solubility and microbial activity.
True
The type of equilibrium in a climax community is called dynamic equilibrium
Succession facilitates nutrient cycling and energy flow through the development of complex food webs
Match the succession type with its starting point:
Primary Succession ↔️ Bare rock or newly formed land
Secondary Succession ↔️ Disturbed area with soil
Why does secondary succession take less time to reach a climax community than primary succession?
Soil is already present
Climax communities have minimal soil conditions.
False
Climax stage ecosystems have high biodiversity and well-established soil conditions.
True
What are some environmental conditions that drive increased species diversity in succession?
Soil formation and nutrient availability
What characterizes the final, stable stage of succession?
Mature, diverse ecosystem
Pioneer species in ecological succession break down rock to create soil
What is the typical biodiversity level in a pioneer stage ecosystem?
Low
Abiotic factors such as soil nutrients and sunlight influence the types of species that can colonize
What state does a climax community represent in terms of biotic and abiotic factors?
Equilibrium
Why does biodiversity increase during succession?
Improved environmental conditions
There are two main types of succession: primary and secondary.
True
Soil must be created by pioneer species in primary succession.
True
What is the role of pioneer species in succession?
Colonize barren environments
The three primary stages of ecological succession
1️⃣ Pioneer Stage
2️⃣ Intermediate Stage
3️⃣ Climax Stage
Species diversity generally increases throughout succession.
True
Secondary succession achieves climax faster than primary succession due to existing soil.
True
Which stage of ecological succession has the highest biodiversity?
Climax stage
Match the ecological term with its definition:
Pioneer species ↔️ First organisms to colonize a barren area
Climax community ↔️ Final, stable stage of succession
What type of ecosystem characterizes the climax stage in terms of species diversity?
Complex and diverse
Abiotic factors interact to shape the stages of succession, leading to a stable climax community
Order the ecological processes in a climax community to maintain equilibrium: