Bell Ringer A biologists compares how different ecosystems undergo succession. She divides the series of events that happen during primary and secondary succession into three different stages. Which feature might be used to distinguish secondary succession from primary succession? A. the lack of pioneer species in the second stage B. the presence of pioneer species in the final stage C. the presence of trees and large plants in the final stage D. the presence of soil and organic matter in the first stage.

Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession SC. 912. L. 17 Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession SC.912.L.17.4 Describe changes in ecosystems resulting from seasonal variations, climate change, and succession.

Interactive Journal Entry Left Side Right Side Guided Notes (Note: when copying reduce size to 67% to fit in composition books; students can staple/tape it in landscape format) Venn Diagram Compare & Contrast Primary and Secondary Succession

What is Ecological Succession? Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an area The gradual transition between biotic communities Primary: no previous biotic community Secondary: previously occupied by a community Aquatic: transition from pond or lake to terrestrial community

Primary Succession Land Sides of volcanoes Landslides Flooding Water Begins in a place without any soil: Sides of volcanoes Landslides Flooding First, lichens that do not need soil to survive grow on rocks Next, mosses grow to hold newly made soil Known as PIONEER SPECIES Water Begins when an area fills with water for the first time

Pioneer Species Low, growing moss plants trap moisture and prevent soil erosion Lichens break down rock to form soil.

Primary Succession Soil starts 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

Primary Succession Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil

Primary Succession The simple plants die, adding more organic material (nutrients to the soil) The soil layer thickens, and grasses, wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over

Primary Succession These plants die, and they add more nutrients to the soil Shrubs and trees can survive now

Primary Succession Insects, small birds, and mammals have begun to move into the area What was once bare rock, now supports a variety of life

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 Example: After forest fires human development landslides

Climax Community A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process Does not always mean big trees Grasses in prairies Cacti in deserts

Aquatic Succession Fresh water aquatic ecosystem develops into a terrestrial ecosystem Sediment and detritus fills in pond or lake Amount of water decrease Meadow is often a transitional stage Climax community  bog or forest

Bell Ringer – Try Again A biologists compares how different ecosystems undergo succession. She divides the series of events that happen during primary and secondary succession into three different stages. Which feature might be used to distinguish secondary succession from primary succession? A. the lack of pioneer species in the second stage B. the presence of pioneer species in the final stage C. the presence of trees and large plants in the final stage D. the presence of soil and organic matter in the first stage. Why?

We Do – Compare & Contrast Primary Succession Secondary Both No previously existing life. Plants and Animals adapt. Comes after a natural disaster. Climax Community. Starts as a result of a forest fire or flood. Starts as the result of a volcano or receding glacier. Previously existing life. Pioneer Species. Starts with previously existing soil. Starts on bare rock. Lichens break down rock. Happens relatively slow. Happens relatively fast. Gradual growth.

Primary Succession Secondary No previous life existing Starts as a result of a volcano or receding glacier Pioneer species Starts on bare rock Lichens break down rock Happens relatively slow Starts as a result of a forest fire or flood Previously existing life Starts with previously existing soil Happens relatively fast   Plants and animals adapt Comes after a natural disaster Climax community Gradual growth Primary Succession Secondary Both

“You DO” – Exit slip questions The following questions can be projected when an instructor reaches the “You Do” or an instructor can use the handout.

Exit Slip – Question #1 1. Changes in an ecosystem over a long period of time are shown in the diagram below. These changes will most likely lead to a: stable ecosystem that can last for many years loss of heterotrophs that cannot be recovered long-term rise in environmental temperatures forest consisting of only producers and decomposers

Exit Slip – Question #2 2. The diagram below shows how an area progresses over time after a forest fire. What process is illustrated by the diagram in boxes 4-8 after the forest fire? pioneer speciation primary succession secondary succession ecosystem boundaries

Exit Slip – Question #3 3. After a volcano erupts and destroys an ecosystem, a few organisms are able to begin growing from the decaying organic matter left behind. What do we call those organisms that are able to grow in little or no soil that first appear? adaptors pioneer species non-vascular plants decomposers

Exit Slip – Question #4 As the process of ecological succession progresses with time, species diversity tends to gradually decrease from colonization to climax community be limited in early stages and increase over time increase during intermediate stages, then rapidly decrease during the climax community stage be highest in the colonization stages