What evidence do we have that ecosystems c ha ng e?

Have you ever noticed a fast CHANGE in an ecosystem?

Have you ever noticed an ecosystem c ha ng e?

H AVE YOU EVER C HANGED AN ECOSYSTEM ?

W HAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LEAVE THESE CHANGED ECOSYSTEMS ALONE ??

W HAT IS SUCCESSION ? Key Terms for Succession Succession Pioneer Species Primary Succession Secondary Succession Climax Community Succession Video - Explanation

W HAT IS SUCCESSION ? Succession: the series of ecological changes that every community undergoes over long periods of time.

Pioneer Species : The first organisms to return to an ecosystem after a dramatic change. They often help to make the environment better for other organisms to return. Ex: Lichens and lupins

C LIMAX C OMMUNITY Climax Community : The final stage of succession. This occurs after many years and the ecosystem has reached a new balanced state. There is a wide variety of animals, and larger plants/trees, and trees of different sizes/ages.

M AIN R IVER F OREST, N EWFOUNDLAND

T YPES OF S UCCESSION Two main types of succession: 1. Primary succession 2. Secondary Succession

P RIMARY S UCCESSION Occurs following a change in the environment that has left only bare rock. This means that there is no soil around for plants to quickly move back in.

P RIMARY S UCCESSION

Primary Succession is a very slow process that can take thousands of years and occurs in the following general sequence:

24 S TAGES OR S TEPS TO S UCCESSION Stage 1Lichens Stage 2More Soil Stage 3Small Plants Stage 4Animals Stage 5Larger Plants Stage 6Climax Community

25 S TAGE #1:... HERE COMES THE LICHENS Lichens start to grow on the rock. These are called pioneer species.

26 S TAGE #2:.... HERE COMES MORE SOIL The lichens break down the rock and start to form soil.

27 S TAGE #3:.... HERE COMES THE SMALL PLANTS Small, hardy plants begin to grow in the soil.

28 S TAGE #4:.... HERE COMES THE ANIMALS Animals begin to return to the environment and feed on the small plants

29 S TAGE #5:..... HERE COMES THE LARGER PLANTS Stage 5: Larger plants grow as amount of soil increases from dying plants/animals.

30 S TAGE # CLIMAX COMMUNITY IS FORMING Climax community is formed. Lots of mature trees and high biodiversity.

31 C LIMAX C OMMUNITY..... FINAL STAGE OF SUCCESSION The climax community is the final stage of ecological succession. This stage has the greatest diversity of organisms and very complex food chains and food webs.

S ECONDARY S UCCESSION Occurs following a change that has left soil on the ground. This makes it much easier for plants and other organisms to return to the area.

S ECONDARY S UCCESSION Secondary succession follows the same general pattern as Primary succession, but it happens much more rapidly because there is already soil. (Skip directly to stage#3!)

S ECONDARY S UCCESSION

36 C LIMAX C OMMUNITY..... FINAL STAGE OF SUCCESSION Succession will occur whenever there are favorable circumstances. Over a long period of time (1000’s of years) an area can change from bare rock to a forest if the abiotic and biotic factors are favorable. This change would take place in a series of steps or stages.

M T. S T. H ELEN ’ S V OLCANIC E XPLOSION A massive volcanic explosion in the united states gave Ecologists an excellent opportunity to study succession of a forest ecosystem.

43 S TAGES OR S TEPS TO S UCCESSION Stage 1Lichens Stage 2More Soil Stage 3Small Plants Stage 4Animals Stage 5Larger Plants Stage 6Climax Community

44 S TAGE #1:... HERE COMES THE LICHENS Lichens start to grow on the rock. These are called pioneer species.

45 S TAGE #2:.... HERE COMES MORE SOIL The lichens break down the rock and start to form soil.

46 S TAGE #3:.... HERE COMES THE SMALL PLANTS Small, hardy plants begin to grow in the soil.

47 S TAGE #4:.... HERE COMES THE ANIMALS Animals begin to return to the environment and feed on the small plants

48 S TAGE #5:..... HERE COMES THE LARGER PLANTS Stage 5: Larger plants grow as amount of soil increases from dying plants/animals.

49 S TAGE # CLIMAX COMMUNITY IS FORMING Climax community is formed. Lots of mature trees and high biodiversity.

50 C LIMAX C OMMUNITY..... FINAL STAGE OF SUCCESSION The climax community is the final stage of ecological succession. This stage has the greatest diversity of organisms and very complex food chains and food webs.

W HAT CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESSION ? Climate is a big factor!! Climate is a very important environmental condition that affects succession and includes: Temperature Precipitation Availability of sunlight **Abiotic Factors!!**