Ecological Succession Interactions Ecological Succession Have students discuss what they think succession means. Relate to succession of power. Combine succession with ecological.

Succession Gradual, ordered process of change Growth or re-growth of a community of species (an ecosystem) We focus on plant succession, but species includes animals. Stages. Picture 1: 1988 after Mt St Hellen’s Erupted in 1980 Picture 2: 2001

Succession Start with nothing, not even soil. Takes hundreds to thousands of years for full process to complete Will play a game and watch a video that describes more about how long this process takes.

Primary Succession Growth of a community in an area where life had not been maintained before Lifeless area does not have “soil” Area dominated by quick growing pioneer plants Examples: Have students list examples and write them down.

Primary Succession Students can write down these examples. Top Left: Volcano lava, island formation Top Right: Rocky area Bottom Left:: Desert Clay Bottom Right: Sand dunes

Secondary Succession Growth of a community in an area where life is already established Soil left in tact; small plants, etc may be left Usually after disturbance- could be natural or human-caused Examples: Have students list and write down examples.

Secondary Succession Top Left: Brush Fire Top Right: Mowing the Lawn Bottom Left: Deforestation Bottom Right: Gallatin 2006 Tornado

The Process of Succession Primary Succession Lichens, Bacteria, Fungus Annual Plants, Mosses, Ferns, Weeds Secondary Succession Perennial Plants, Grasses Shrubs, Bushes, Non-woody short plants Have students decide where primary and secondary succession can begin. Have students decide which group would be pioneer plants. Discuss climax community as peek of ecosystem; balance is reached. Go through what animals could live and not live at each stage of succession. Pines, Other Fast Growing Trees Hardy Trees (Oaks, Redwoods) Climax Community

Climax Community Final community Can take 75-100 years to reach

Plowing: Have students tell what type of succession and what stage would come back first.

Glacier Retreat: Have students decide what type of succession; discuss current growth and what would be next.