Ecosystem Review

Succession Succession= replacement of one type of community by another over time.

Primary Succession Primary Succession=communi ty growing in an area where organisms have never lived. Primary Succession starts with bare rock

Primary Succession The Wetland succession that you saw at camp is an example of primary succession. Jackson lake was formed by glaciers 12,000 years ago. Lake -> Fen -> Bog -> Quaking Bog -> Forest

Secondary Succession Secondary Succession= a community growing in an area affected by a disturbance.  Examples of disturbances are fire, flood, clearing land for farming or lumber. Secondary Succession starts with soil

Secondary Succession The Old Field succession you saw on the prairie walk is an example of secondary succession. Old Field -> Hardwood Forest

Pioneer Species Pioneer Species are the first organisms to live in an area. Examples of Pioneer Species  Old Field: Bunch Grass, Milkweed, Queen Anne’s Lace  Wetland: Sphagnum Moss, Sedge, Pitcher Plant

Climax Species Climax Species = well adapted species in a mature community Examples of Climax Species:  Old Field: Maple, Oak  Wetlands: Maple, Oak

Duckweed Problem Duckweed can grow so thick it blocks sunlight from reaching plants growing at the bottom of the lake. These plants die and are decomposed by bacteria. The bacteria use up oxygen in the water, which limits aquatic life in the lake.

Carrying Capacity Carrying Capacity is the largest population an environment can support. Example: When we were playing the food chain game, the carrying capacity was the greatest number individuals that were able to survive.

Limiting Factors Limiting factors are the factors that control carrying capacity (they limit the population / community size). Examples are: sunlight, water, food, shelter, space

Competition Competition occurs when two or more individuals or populations try to use the same resource, such as food, water, shelter, space or sunlight.  Happens within a population (Hawks in Food Chain Game)  Happens between populations (Duckweed and submergent plants)