1. Ecological Succession
Primary and Secondary

2. changes that occur in the types of species that live in an area.
What is it?
The normal GRADUAL
(takes a long time)
changes that occur in the types of species that live in an area.

3. Ecological Succession
There are two main types of succession, primary and secondary. Primary succession is the series of changes that take place when there is no soil present. For example, after a volcano or destroyed coral reef. Secondary succession is the series of changes that take place when there is soil present. For example, after a fire, hurricane, flood, destruction by man, or tornado.

4. Which one do you think takes longer?
Answer
Primary Succession
Why?
The rocks need to break down to make the soil before new species will grow

5. What Species Comes first?
Pioneer Species
These are the FIRST species to grow
They can be different depending upon the area. Example: is it a forest, a pond, a wetlands….?
AND- is it primary or secondary succession?

6. What makes the difference between primary and secondary succession?
The key is whether there is soil already present or does the soil need to be made from broken down rock

7. Examples of Pioneer Species Pioneer- FIRST species to grow
Mosses

8. Pioneer Species- FIRST
Lichens-do not need soil to survive
They can survive drought, extreme heat and cold, and other harsh conditions and start the soil building process.

9. Lichens produce a weak acid that eats away at the rock and breaks it down into soil

10. Pioneer Species- FIRST
Algae- many types

11. Second Stage
Second plants to become established after the disturbance (taller grasses, small shrubs).
Shrubs

12. Third Stage- bushes
Third species to become established

13. Fourth Stage- usually small trees; depends on ecosystem
Fourth species to become established

14. Final Stage-Climax Community
Last species to appear; some say it isn’t really finished growing.

15. Barren patch of land- just to see what can happen to a bare space!

16. Same patch of land two years later

17. Pond Succession- Primary or secondary?
Put the pictures in order
B, C, A, then D.

18. Disturbance- Forest Fire

19. Within 2 weeks, small grasses and other plants will grow- soil is already present

20. Second stage

21. Third stage

22. Full succession takes a VERY long time- could be 100’s of years.
Still second stage/some small trees appearing

23. Succession in Action
RestoringEarth - Educating People

24. When will the animal species return to the ecosystem?
You must consider what is needed for them to be able to live in the environment.
Animal species will not return until their needs can be met.
What do they need? A habitat that will provide them with sufficient food, water, a hiding place, etc.

25. Choose your favorite disaster – how will succession occur?
A disturbance:
a forest fire
a volcano
a flood,
dried up pond
hurricane
tornado
abandoned ball field or tennis court
coral dying for lack of water