Succession Basics
Primary succession almost always begins with what?
Bare rock
Glacier retreat results in which type of succession?
Primary
During secondary succession, why do decomposing pioneer plants help larger species grow?
They add nutrients to the soil
Biodiversity is short for _________.
Biological diversity
The ocean is the ______ ecosystem in the world.
Largest
A forest fire destroys an ecosystem. Which type of succession will restore it?
Secondary succession
Which event would lead to secondary succession?
A. Glacier retreat
B. Flood
C. Volcanic eruption
B. Flood
Increased amounts of soil from decomposing pioneer species allow what to happen?
Plants with more complex root systems can grow
Biodiversity is the variety of ______ in an area.
A. Organisms
B. Genes
C. Species
D. Communities
C. Species
Name one biome and give one animal adaptation found there.
Open response (teacher judges)
What are the first species to inhabit a barren environment called?
Pioneer species
If no natural disasters occur over a long period of time, an area reaches what?
Climax community
True or False: Primary succession forms soil faster than secondary.
False
What is a nonnative species that harms the ecosystem called?
Invasive species
Which biome typically has the highest biodiversity?
Tropical rainforest
Which is an example of a pioneer species?
A. Protists
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Lichen/Moss
D. Lichen/Moss
Which type of succession begins on surfaces WITHOUT soil?
Primary succession
Pioneer species increase biodiversity in early succession mostly by…
A. Increasing space
B. Creating soil
C. Reducing competition
B. Creating soil
Why is biodiversity so important to an ecosystem? (Short answer in game)
It increases stability, resilience, and available resources.
Which biome has permafrost and low-growing plants?
Tundra
Which type of succession takes longer?
Primary succession
Why might secondary succession be faster than primary succession?
Soil already exists
What is the correct order of primary succession?
Bare rock → Lichens → Mosses → Grasses → Shrubs → Trees (Climax)
Explain how ecological succession affects biodiversity. (Short answer)
Biodiversity increases over time as more species move in and niches form.
Describe the stages of secondary succession.
Soil present → Grasses → Shrubs → Young forest → Mature forest (climax)