Ecological Succession Quiz

Which of the following best describes primary succession?

• Volcano wipes out ecosystem that gradually grows back from ash covered soil

• Volcano creates a new island of rock that must break down to form an ecosystem

• Forest fire burns down forest that must bounce back over time

• Tornado destroys a crop that must slowly grow back over time.

If farmers use a controlled burn to prevent forest fires, what would most likely be the first plants to return?

• trees

• shrubs

• mosses

• grasses

What is the order of succession shown in this figure?

• A, B, C, D
• B, A, D, C
• C, D, A, B
• D, A, B, C

What are the pioneer species in primary succession?

• Bushes and Shrubs
• Oak trees
• Mossess and Lichens 
• A rose Bush

What type of disturbance can be beneficial to ecosystems and communities?

• Volcanic Eruption

• Fire

• Invasive Species

• Flood

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary begins WITHOUT soil; Secondary begins WITH soil.

• Primary builds plant communities; secondary builds animal communities.

• Primary is the first stage and secondary is the second stage.

• Primary being WITH soil; Secondary begins WITHOUT soil.

Stable, final stage of succession

• adaptation
• pioneer species
• niche
• climax community

The process in which a community changes through time

• ecological succession

• biodiversity

• evolution

• ecosystem resilience

Lichens are important in primary succession because they

• help to break down rocks to create soil.

• provide a soft place for seeds to germinate.

• are fire-resistant.

• are gymnosperms, which are important for resilience.

________are the first organisms to colonize an area and begin the process of ecological succession.

• Primary organisms

• Introductory species

• Foundational organisms

• Pioneer species