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7. Ecological Succession

7. Ecological Succession. 7.1 Succession. Starter. Match up the key word to the definition. Learning Objectives. Describe changes that occur in the variety of species occupying an area over time Define succession and climax community Success Criteria

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7. Ecological Succession

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  1. 7. Ecological Succession 7.1 Succession

  2. Starter • Match up the key word to the definition

  3. Learning Objectives • Describe changes that occur in the variety of species occupying an area over time • Define succession and climax community Success Criteria • You can describe the order of plant succession and explain common features of succession

  4. Succession • The changes, over time, in the species that occupy a particular area

  5. Succession of bare rock or barren land • Succession happens when an area is first colonised. What might happen to cause this? • A retreating glacier depositing rock • Wind or sea piling sand into dunes • Volcanoes erupting and depositing lava • Land subsiding and creating lakes or ponds • Silt and mud being deposited at river estuaries

  6. Pioneer Species • The first stage of succession involves pioneer species colonising an inhospitable environment • Pioneer species have features that suit them to colonisation

  7. Task • In pairs, come up with a list of features that pioneer species may have, which would help them to colonise inhospitable environments

  8. Features of Pioneer Species • Production of a lot of wind-dispersed seeds to easily reach isolated areas • Rapid germination of seeds • The ability to photosynthesise • The ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere • Tolerance to extreme conditions

  9. Stages of Plant Succession

  10. Stages of Plant Succession • Colonisers (lichens): when they die, they release nutrients. This changes the abiotic environment by creating soil. • Mosses, then Ferns: rock is continually eroded, as these die organic matter increases, building up soil • Small flowering plants, shrubs then trees establish

  11. Climax Community • The organisms that make up the final stage of ecological succession • A balanced equilibrium • In the UK, this is deciduous woodland

  12. Animal Succession • Animal species present depend on the plant species found in the area • For example, mosses and grasses provide food and habitats for insects and worms. These can then support secondary consumers.

  13. Common features in any succession • The non-living environment becomes less hostile • A greater number and variety of habitats • Increased biodiversity • More complex food webs • Increased biomass

  14. Land alteration • Succession also occurs when land is suddenly altered e.g. from a fire • The area will then undergo succession to return to a stable, climax community • This type of succession doesn’t begin with a pioneer species

  15. Learning Objectives • Describe changes that occur in the variety of species occupying an area over time • Define succession and climax community Success Criteria • You can describe the order of plant succession and explain common features of succession

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