Climate Change and Ecological Succession

Mr. Anderson discusses natural ecosystem changes, focusing on climate factors like solar output, volcanoes, and plate tectonics. He explains how these factors influence climate cycles, such as ice ages, and their impact on ecosystems, leading to mass extinctions and adaptive radiations. The video also covers species movement and succession, highlighting how plants and animals adapt to changing climates.

What do ice cores from Antarctica help scientists understand?

• The age of the Earth

• Historical carbon dioxide levels and temperature changes

• The formation of glaciers

• The origin of life on Earth

Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting climate change?

• Solar output

• Volcanic eruptions

• Earth's orbit

• Ocean currents

What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?

• Primary succession involves animals, secondary involves plants

• Primary succession is faster than secondary

• Primary succession starts with bare rock, secondary with existing soil

• Primary succession occurs in water, secondary on land

How did the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 affect the climate?

• It increased the Earth's rotation speed

• It caused global warming

• It had no significant impact

• It cooled the planet for a few years

What was the impact of the formation of Panama on ocean currents?

• It changed the ocean current flow

• It had no impact on currents

• It created a new ocean

• It caused a mass extinction

What happens to species during a mass extinction event?

• They migrate to other planets

• Many species go extinct

• They become more diverse

• They all adapt quickly

How do polar bears respond to climate change?

• They move to new areas

• They stop hunting

• They hibernate longer

• They become smaller

What is the process called when life returns to an area after a disturbance?

• Migration

• Evolution

• Succession

• Adaptation

Which type of succession occurs on bare rock?

• Quaternary succession

• Tertiary succession

• Secondary succession

• Primary succession

What role do pioneer species play in succession?

• They prevent other species from growing

• They cause soil erosion

• They are the first to colonize barren environments

• They are the last to arrive in an ecosystem