5-3 How Ecosystems Change Page 129

A. Ecological Succession 1. Ecological Succession is a gradual process of change and replacement of some or all of the species in a community.

Think about it….. How is our school undergoing an ecological succession?

A. Ecological Succession 2. Primary Succession occurs in areas that previously did not support life.

A. Ecological Succession 3. Secondary Succession occurs in areas where an ecosystem previously existed.

Primary Succession (3) Secondary Succession (3)

B. Primary Succession 1. Can occur on new islands created by volcanic eruptions, areas exposed when a glacier retreats, or any surface that previously did not support life.

B. Primary Succession 2. Slower than secondary succession because there is no soil.

B. Primary Succession 3. Example: If a glacier melts and exposes an area of bare rock, the first organisms to inhabit them would be bacteria and lichens that don’t need soil.

B. Primary Succession 4. The first species to colonize an area are called pioneer species.

C. Secondary Succession 1. When a community is partially or completely destroyed, by human influence or natural disaster, another community will take its place.

C. Secondary Succession 2. After the pioneer species takes over, it eventually becomes stable and becomes a climax community.

D. Old-Field Succession 1. Occurs when farmland is abandoned, and no longer cultivated, grasses and weeds begin to take over.

D. Old-Field Succession 2. Over time, taller plants take over and dominate resources from pioneer species which die out….

D. Old-Field Succession 3. The Jack Pine is a tree that can only release its seeds in the intense heat of fire.

D. Old-Field Succession 4. Fires help to return nutrients to the soil and allow other plants to grow.

E. Fire and Secondary Succession 1. Lightning strikes and starts fires which cause secondary succession naturally.

Comic Strip Include Vocabulary (underlined and highlighted): Ecological Succession, Primary Succession, Secondary Succession, Pioneer Species, Climax Community. At least 8 boxes INCLUDING a drawing and some text in each box. Creative title, Clear writing, descriptive, colored.