Primary & Secondary Succession Checkin

Which best describes succession?

• The reduction of biodiversity of an ecosystem over time

• the evolution of speciese through natural selection

• the changes in species composition in a community over time as species colonize an area

• the creation of new life from nothing in an ecosystem

True/False: Primary succession begins in an area that did not have life before.

• True

• False

True/False: Primary succession begin in an area that does not have soil.

• True

• False

Reorder the following species from first to appear (1) to last to appear (5):

• flowers/grasses

• bushes & shrubs

• trees

• lichens

• mosses

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Lichens are often the first species to colonize an environment during primary succession. In general, the first species to colonize an environment is called

• primary succession

• pioneer species

• primary consumer

• secondary succession

How do lichens alter the abiotic environment to favor the establishment of other species of plants?

• They break down rock and form soil

• They reflect sunlight to help plants grow

• They provide energy for other plants

• They are a good source for pollinators.

Reorder the following 1 being the first to occur, 5 being the last to occur

• bushes begin to dominate

• trees become common and outcompete other plants for sunlight

• an intact ecosystem is dirupted by a natural disaster

• pioneer species like grasses and flowers grow

• The climax community for the area is established once again

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary succession occurs in an area that is disrupted by a fire or other natural disaster.

• Primary succession occurs after secondary successtion.

• Primary succession involves only plants, but secondary succession involves animals too

• primary succession occurs in an area with no life and no soil, secondary succession occurs after a disruption.

Which of the following organisms would you expect to be the first in an area after a fire?

• Lichens

• Shrubs

• New Trees

• Grass

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the most important function of the pioneer species in primary succession?

• To create rocks

• To look nice

• Food for animals

• To create soil and add nutrients to the environment