Concept 5: Ecological Succession

1. Concept 5:Ecological Succession Biology Standard 6.3

2. Wake Up Work #1 Answer the following questions with WATER, CARBON, or NITROGEN cycle: • Photosynthesis is involved in what cycle? • Infiltration is part of which cycle? • Ammonification is an important part of the ____________cycle. • Cellularrespirationplays a part in which cycle? • Decomposition plays a big role in which cycles?

3. Ecological Succession • Ecological succession: the process of ecological change in an ecosystem where one community is replaced by another community over time • Two types of succession: • Primary succession— • Formation of a brand new ecosystem • Secondary succession— • Recovery of an old ecosystem

4. Primary Succession • Primary succession occurs when a community forms in an area that has NEVER been occupied before • Examples: Exposed rock, lava, melted ice, eroded sand

5. Primary Succession • Occurs over a LONG period of time • Pioneer Species • The first organisms to grow in a new environment • Example: Lichens and mosses • These organisms can grow in areas where others cannot…such as ROCK • Over time these organisms decompose and release nutrients to form a layer of soil that larger, more complex plants can grow in

6. LICHENS AND MOSSES: PIONEER SPECIES!

7. Primary Succession • Once enough soil has been generated to retain nutrients, small plants, flowers, ferns, and shrubs can begin to grow.

8. Primary Succession These plants can further break down the rock, allowing more soil to be formed and retained. The seeds from other plants, even trees become able to grow, and over time large plants become able to inhabit the area.

9. Primary Succession • As new species of plant move in, new animal species become able to inhabit the area. • Organisms growing in each stage may even hinder their own survival, but pave the way for future organisms. • Eventually, a mature community results, in which there is little change in the composition of species. Climax Community = a mature and stable community of plants and animals

11. Secondary Succession • Secondary succession occurs in an area that was previously occupied by living organisms, but the community was destroyed by a disturbance. • Examples: Fire, farming, hurricane, etc.

12. Secondary Succession Established community is destroyed but soil is still intact therefore it takes LESS TIME than primary succession Process typically begins with weeds and grasses that are able to grow quickly, and proceeds until a Climax Community is reached

15. Think About It Where in succession you would expect to find organisms and stages that last for short periods of time? Long?  Short periods at the beginning, long at the end Why might secondary succession tend to occur more quickly than primary?  Because you don’t have to make soil from scratch in secondary succession like you do in primary What kinds of organisms would you expect to find in an area where disturbances are frequent, or intense?  Pioneer species like lichens, mosses, short grass

16. Succession Simulation, Succession Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzE6BNNLew0 http://www.mrphome.net/mrp/succession.swf Crash Course Video Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZKIHe2LDP8

17. Succession Activity/Game! • What did this game teach you about the speed of plant and animal succession in an ecosystem? • Did you think it was realistic? Why or why not?

18. Directions • You will represent groups of living things that are affected by ecological succession • Group together by type of organism • One person from each group read the characteristics of your organism • Each player starts with 100 points of your own. • The points represent how well the type of organism is surviving. The object of the game is to keep as many survival points as possible. • Use calculators or pencils and paper to keep track of your scores. • After each event I will ask you how many points you have so we can make a graph!

21. A volcano covers the area with ash (primary succession) • Oaks and maples – take away all points • Insects – take away all points • Pines – take away all points • Lichens – take away all points • Grasses – take away all points • Mammals – take away all points

22. What do you Know? 1. A forest of pine trees is burned over a 10 mile area when lightning strikes a tree. In the spring, a few seedlings are beginning to sprout. 2. A glacier has scraped all soil from a rocky area. As it slowly retreats, some of the rock is broken down by weathering. Some moss begins to grow. 3. A small symbiotic organism secretes acid into the rock to anchor itself in place. 4. The old-growth forest has remained the same combination of hickories and oaks for 100 years. 5. Small organisms, such as lichens, help break up bare rock into soil. WORD BANK ecosystem diversity lichens pioneer organisms primary succession secondary succession climax community succession

23. CONTINUED… 6. This may take hundreds or thousands of years. 7. A pond slowly fills in as algae and other plants die and fall to the bottom. 8. A volcano erupts creating a new island. After a few years, small plants begin to grow. 9. This term describes a community of organisms and the biotic factors (air, water, etc.) that make up the environment in which they live. 10. Sand dunes, ponds, oak trees and coral reefs are examples of: WORD BANK ecosystem diversity lichens pioneer organisms primary succession secondary succession climax community succession

24. 1. secondary succession 2. primary succession 3. primary succession 4. climax community 5. pioneer organisms 6. succession 7. secondary succession 8. primary succession 9. ecosystem 10. ecosystem