-Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an area; can be primary or secondary.
-The gradual replacement of 1 plant community by another through natural processes over time.
-The gradual replacement of 1 plant community by another through natural processes over time.
PRIMARY SUCCESSION
-Begins without soil
+Sides of volcanoes
+Landslides
+Flooding
-Start with the arrival of living things such as lichens that do not need soil to survive.
-Called Pioneer Species
-Soil start to form as lichens and the forces of weather and erosion help break down rocks into smaller pieces
-When lichens die, they decompose, adding small amounts of organic matter to the rock to make soil.
-Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil
-The simple plants die, adding more organic material
-The soil layer thickens, and grasses, wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over
-These plants die, and they add mpre nutrients to the soil
-Shurbs and tress can survive now
-Insects, small birds, and mammals have begun to move in
-Begins without soil
+Sides of volcanoes
+Landslides
+Flooding
-Start with the arrival of living things such as lichens that do not need soil to survive.
-Called Pioneer Species
-Soil start to form as lichens and the forces of weather and erosion help break down rocks into smaller pieces
-When lichens die, they decompose, adding small amounts of organic matter to the rock to make soil.
-Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil
-The simple plants die, adding more organic material
-The soil layer thickens, and grasses, wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over
-These plants die, and they add mpre nutrients to the soil
-Shurbs and tress can survive now
-Insects, small birds, and mammals have begun to move in
LICHENS
-Symbiotic relationship between algae and fungus
-The algal or cyanobacterial cells are photosynthetic, and as in plants they reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic carbon sugars to feed both symbionts
-The fungus provides support, water and minerals from the substrate for the algae
-Symbiotic relationship between algae and fungus
-The algal or cyanobacterial cells are photosynthetic, and as in plants they reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic carbon sugars to feed both symbionts
-The fungus provides support, water and minerals from the substrate for the algae
LICHENS-PIONEER SPECIES
-Lichens help to break down hard substrate, providing nutrients to the soil
-When lichens die, they further help to create a nutrient rich soil
-Lichens are also called "indicator species" they are sensitive to changes in environment (air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, etc.)
-Lichens help to break down hard substrate, providing nutrients to the soil
-When lichens die, they further help to create a nutrient rich soil
-Lichens are also called "indicator species" they are sensitive to changes in environment (air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, etc.)
SECONDARY SUCCESSION
-Begins in a place that already has soil and was once the home of living organisms
-Occurs faster and has different pioneer species than primary succession
-Ex: after forest fires
-Begins in a place that already has soil and was once the home of living organisms
-Occurs faster and has different pioneer species than primary succession
-Ex: after forest fires
CLIMAX COMMUNITY
-A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process
-Grasses in prairies, cacti in deserts
-A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process
-Grasses in prairies, cacti in deserts