Ecological Succession Lecture Notes

Flashcards about Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

A series of progressive changes in the ecological community of an area over time, caused by disturbances.

Succession: Primary

Ecological succession that begins in a lifeless area with no soil (e.g., volcanic rock, retreating glacier).

Succession: Secondary

Changes that occur after a disturbance in an existing ecosystem (e.g., fires, hurricanes, farming).

Disturbance

An event that changes biological communities by removing organisms or altering resource availability (e.g., uprooted tree, flooding, fires).

Pioneer Species

The first organisms to colonize a barren environment in primary succession, often autotrophic bacteria, followed by lichen and mosses.

Soil Formation

The process of soil development over thousands of years through the weathering of rocks & minerals and the decay of plant and animal matter.

Climax Community

A 'stable' community representing the final stage of ecological succession, dependent on biotic & abiotic factors, and remains unchanged for long periods.

Biome

The climax community; examples include tundra, grassland, desert, and various forests.