Transcript Ecological Succession Powerpoint

Ecological Succession
Primary and Secondary
What is it?
The normal GRADUAL
(takes a long time)
changes that occur in the types of
species that live in an area.
Ecological Succession
• There are two main types of succession, primary and
secondary.
Primary succession is the series of changes that take
place when there is no soil present. For example, after a
volcano or destroyed coral reef.
Secondary succession is the series of changes that
take place when there is soil present. For example, after
a fire, hurricane, flood, destruction by man, or tornado.
Which one do you think takes
longer?
Answer
Primary Succession
Why?
The rocks need to break down to make the
soil before new species will grow
What Species Comes first?
Pioneer Species
These are the FIRST species to grow
They can be different depending upon the
area. Example: is it a forest, a pond, a
wetlands….?
AND- is it primary or secondary succession?
What makes the difference
between primary and secondary
succession?
The key is whether there is soil already
present or does the soil need to be made
from broken down rock
Examples of Pioneer Species
Pioneer- FIRST species to grow
• Mosses
Pioneer Species- FIRST
Lichens-do not need soil to survive
They can survive drought, extreme heat and cold, and
other harsh conditions and start the soil building
process.
Lichens produce a weak acid that
eats away at the rock and breaks it
down into soil
Pioneer Species- FIRST
Algae- many types
Second Stage
Second plants to become established after
the disturbance (taller grasses, small
shrubs).
Shrubs
Third Stage- bushes
• Third species to become established
Fourth Stage- usually small trees;
depends on ecosystem
• Fourth species to become established
Final Stage-Climax Community
• Last species to appear; some say it isn’t
really finished growing.
Barren patch of land- just to see
what can happen to a bare space!
Same patch of land two years later
Pond Succession- Primary or
secondary?
• Put the pictures in order
B, C, A, then D.
Disturbance- Forest Fire
• Within 2 weeks, small grasses and other
plants will grow- soil is already present
• Second stage
• Third stage
Full succession takes a VERY long
time- could be 100’s of years.
• Still second stage/some small trees
appearing
Succession in Action
• RestoringEarth - Educating People
When will the animal species return
to the ecosystem?
• You must consider what is needed for
them to be able to live in the
environment.
• Animal species will not return until their
needs can be met.
• What do they need? A habitat that will
provide them with sufficient food, water, a
hiding place, etc.
Choose your favorite disaster –
how will succession occur?
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A disturbance:
a forest fire
a volcano
a flood,
dried up pond
hurricane
tornado
abandoned ball field or tennis court
coral dying for lack of water