*Ecological Succession

Succession is a series of gradual changes that occur
in a community following a disturbance.
There are two types of succession.

PRIMARY SUCCESSION

Pioneer Species:
first organisms to
colonize an area
where there are no
other living things.
Ex. Lichen

Climax Community:
the final stage of
succession; the most
stable stage.

**takes more time to recover**

No soil is present
after the
disturbance.

Examples: glaciation, landslides, paved areas (abandonment), and volcanic eruptions (new
volcanic rock forms).

*Succession applies to animals too, not just to vegetation.*

SECONDARY SUCCESSION

**takes less time to recover**

Climax Community:
the final stage of
succession; the most
stable stage.

Soil is still present
even after the
disturbance.

Examples: fire, tornadoes, floods, windstorms, and volcanic
eruptions (no new volcanic rock forms).

*Succession applies to animals too, not just to vegetation.*

BIODIVERSITY: the variety of life in a particular
ecosystem.
Quadrat Sampling is often used for
estimating populations that have limited
or no movement.

Mark-Recapture Method is often used for
estimating populations that are mobile.

Species Diversity

Time (years)

Climax Community

Low Biodiversity

From Ants to Grizzlies: A General Rule for Saving

Biodiversity

Quadrat Sampling is often used for estimating populations that have limited or no movement.

BIOMES

AQUATIC BIOMES & ADAPTATIONS

●Adaptations are traits that help an
organism survive in its environment.

●Different biomes require different
adaptations.

TERRESTRIAL BIOMES & ADAPTATIONS

●Adaptations are traits that help an
organism survive in its environment.

●Different biomes require different
adaptations.

Effects of Latitude and Altitude

THE END