Primary Succession Defined: Establishment and development of an ecosystem in an uninhabited environment Starts with bare rock

Volcanic activity –Lava cools and hardens into rock, forming new land.

Glaciers retreat –New land is exposed and ready to be inhabited.

Pioneer Species Defined: First organisms to inhabit new land –Moss and lichen grow on bare rock –Dead matter and crumbling rock  first layer of soil.

The Process Continues Seeds grow in the new soil. Small flowers & shrubs build up more organic matter Small animals and insects.

The Process Continues Enough soil to support small trees Animals use the trees as a habitat

Climax Community Large trees take root –Crowd in and compete with smaller trees Large animals inhabit new forests

Secondary Succession Defined: Rebuilding an ecosystem after a disaster –Forest fires, floods, tree falls…

Occurs at a faster rate - Soil already exists - Dead matter returns nutrients to soil - Soil already exists - Dead matter returns nutrients to soil

Review 1)What are the first organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called? 2)Give examples of the answer to question #1. 3)What are the final organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called? 4)How are new areas of land created? 5)Give a few examples how the process of secondary succession can start. 6)How does primary and secondary succession differ?