In Your Notes: What does an established, productive ecosystem look like? What could destroy an established ecosystem? What would an ecosystem look like as a result of a hurricane? Fire? After a major change occurs, will an ecosystem stay that way?

Article Read the article Answer the Following: What was the disturbance? What was the impact on day 1? How did the ecosystem begin to recover? What changes have occurred since the disturbance?

Ecosystems Change Due to: #4: Ecological Succession A change in an ecosystem that happens when one community replaces another 2 Types

Primary Succession The establishment of a community in an area of exposed rock with no topsoil Possible Examples: Lava flow Area left behind by a glacier

Video clip: rock vs. lichen If there is no soil, how do plants begin to grow? Video clip: rock vs. lichen

If there is no soil, how do plants begin to grow? Lichens (a combo of fungus & algae) begin to grow on rocks They secrete acids that help to break down rock As they die, their decaying organic materials, along with bits of sediment from rocks, make up the first stage of soil development *Pioneer Species – 1st species to appear (lichens & moss)

Secondary Succession Re-establishment of a damaged ecosystem in an area where soil is present Usually, the species belonging to the mature community will return (predictable change) Possible Examples: Fire Flood Hurricane

Climax Community – The stable, mature community that results after succession.

Bozeman Science: Ecological Succession

Succession in the Ocean? *Microbe: a general term used to describe a microscopic organism.