Ecological SuccessionEcological Succession

Primary and SecondaryPrimary and Secondary

What is it?What is it?

The normal The normal GRADUALGRADUAL

(takes a long time)(takes a long time)

changes that occur in the types of changes that occur in the types of species that live in an area.species that live in an area.

Ecological SuccessionEcological Succession

• There are two main types of succession, primary There are two main types of succession, primary and secondary.and secondary.

Primary successionPrimary succession is the series of changes is the series of changes that take place when there is no soil present. that take place when there is no soil present. For For example, after a volcano or destroyed coral reef. example, after a volcano or destroyed coral reef.

Secondary successionSecondary succession is the series of changes is the series of changes that take place when there is soil present. that take place when there is soil present. For For example, after a fire, hurricane, flood, destruction example, after a fire, hurricane, flood, destruction by man, or tornado.by man, or tornado.

  

Which one do you think takes Which one do you think takes longer?longer?

AnswerAnswer

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession

Why?Why?

The rocks need to break down to make The rocks need to break down to make the soil before new species will growthe soil before new species will grow

What Species Comes first?What Species Comes first?

Pioneer SpeciesPioneer Species

These are the These are the FIRSTFIRST species to grow species to grow

They can be different depending upon They can be different depending upon the area. the area. Example: is it a forest, a Example: is it a forest, a

pond, a wetlands….?pond, a wetlands….?

AND- is it primary or secondary AND- is it primary or secondary succession?succession?

What makes the difference What makes the difference between primary and between primary and secondary succession?secondary succession?

The key is whether there is soil already The key is whether there is soil already present or does the soil need to be present or does the soil need to be

made from broken down rock made from broken down rock

Examples of Pioneer SpeciesExamples of Pioneer SpeciesPioneer- FIRST species to growPioneer- FIRST species to grow

• MossesMosses

Pioneer Species- FIRSTPioneer Species- FIRSTLichensLichens-do not need soil to survive-do not need soil to surviveThey can survive drought, extreme heat and cold, They can survive drought, extreme heat and cold,

and other harsh conditions and start the soil and other harsh conditions and start the soil building process.building process.

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

Pioneer Species- FIRSTPioneer Species- FIRST

Algae- many typesAlgae- many types

Second StageSecond StageSecond plants to become established Second plants to become established

after the disturbance (taller grasses, after the disturbance (taller grasses, small shrubs).small shrubs).

Shrubs

Third Stage- bushesThird Stage- bushes

• Third species to become establishedThird species to become established

Fourth Stage- usually small Fourth Stage- usually small trees; depends on ecosystemtrees; depends on ecosystem

• Fourth species to become Fourth species to become establishedestablished

Final Stage-Climax Final Stage-Climax CommunityCommunity

• Last species to appear; some say it Last species to appear; some say it isn’t really finished growing.isn’t really finished growing.

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

Same patch of land two years Same patch of land two years laterlater

Pond Succession- Primary or Pond Succession- Primary or secondary?secondary?

• Put the pictures in orderPut the pictures in order

B, C, A, then D.

Disturbance- Forest FireDisturbance- Forest Fire

• Within 2 weeks, small grasses and Within 2 weeks, small grasses and other plants will grow- soil is already other plants will grow- soil is already presentpresent

• Second stageSecond stage

• Third stageThird stage

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

appearingappearing

Succession in ActionSuccession in Action

•RestoringEarth - Educating People

When will the animal species When will the animal species return to the ecosystem?return to the ecosystem?

• You must consider what is needed for You must consider what is needed for them to be able to live in the them to be able to live in the environment.environment.

• Animal species will not return until Animal species will not return until their needs can be met.their needs can be met.

• What do they need? A habitat that What do they need? A habitat that will provide them with sufficient food, will provide them with sufficient food, water, a hiding place, etc.water, a hiding place, etc.

Choose your favorite disaster – Choose your favorite disaster – how will succession occur?how will succession occur?

• A disturbance: A disturbance: • a forest fire a forest fire • a volcano a volcano • a flood, a flood, • dried up pond dried up pond • hurricanehurricane• tornadotornado• abandoned ball field or tennis court abandoned ball field or tennis court • coral dying for lack of watercoral dying for lack of water