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Understanding Ecological Succession and Natural Changes in Ecosystems

Succession is the orderly, natural changes in an ecosystem over time. Primary succession occurs on soil that has never supported life, such as after volcanic eruptions or retreating glaciers. Secondary succession happens on soil that has supported plant life and is faster due to pre-existing soil. Climax Community is the stable, mature endpoint of succession with minimal changes. Pioneer organisms are the first to inhabit an ecosystem, usually grasses or lichens. Explore succession in Texas today through the provided link. Investigate Mr. D's backyard succession journey and witness the transformation over time through images ranging from initial clearing to a completed fire pit setup.

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Understanding Ecological Succession and Natural Changes in Ecosystems

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  1. Succession

  2. Succession – is orderly, natural changes that take place in the community of an ecosystem.

  3. Types of Succession: • Primary succession – changes that occur on soil that has never supported life. • Lava from volcanoes, glaciers retreating

  4. Types of Succession: • Secondary succession – changes that occur on soil that has supported plant life (much faster than primary succession because soil is already formed) • Plants coming back after some disturbance such as forest fire or land that has been abandoned

  5. Climax Community – succession eventually ends up in this stable, mature community that undergoes little or no changes • The new trees or plants coming up under the old ones are of the same species, old growth forests • Pioneer Organisms – first organisms to inhabit an ecosystem • usually grasses or lichens on rock

  6. View this video clip • http://vsx.onstreammedia.com/vsx/AFG/search/PBSPlayer?assetId=67319&ccstart=509966&pt=1

  7. Answer on notes sheet: • How does the tree falling create opportunity for secondary succession? • What would happen here if no trees ever fell down?

  8. Succession today • Where is succession happening in TX today? • http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/04/texas-wildfires/100050/

  9. Mr. D’s backyard successionwhat it started out like

  10. After clearing

  11. After planting bermuda grass

  12. One year later – April 2012

  13. Recently Cleared & Herbicided

  14. Annual grasses

  15. Shrubs

  16. Trees

  17. Hackberry tree that grew from seed in about 5-7 years

  18. Just some awesome pics of what I’ve done

  19. Halfway complete

  20. Completed Steps

  21. Old fence = new flower box

  22. Fire pit

  23. Fire Pit Complete

  24. At night

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