Unit 6-3 Notes Mr. Hefti - Pulaski Biology

Ecological Succession

Succession Predictable ecosystem changes over extended time – Field – Coastal – Forest – Post-glacial

Pond Succession

Step 1 Starts w/ disturbance, environmental change or lack of maintenance – Forest fire – Hurricane – Tornado – Deforestation by humans – Volcanic eruption – Blow down – Old field – Global warming

Step 2 Next… bare soil – Lasts short time (0-2 years)

Step 3 Pioneer species like grasses grow in – 5 years at most

Step 4 Grasses replaced by small shrubs – Lasts another 5-10 years

Step 5 Then soft wood trees grow in & shade out shrubs – Lasts for 50 years

Step 6 Finally a climax community replaces the soft wood trees – Can live over 100 years! – In NY… mostly hard woods: maples, beeches, oaks – Stays until disturbance – Biome-dependent!