Ecological Succession

If succession continues, which result could students expect to find if they left a schoolyard microhabitat undisturbed for 50 years?

• The populations of organisms living in the habitat would be larger and more well established

• Biodiversity would decrease in the habitat

• The habitat would no longer be there because microhabitats are not capable of long-term existence

• There would be fewer varieties of organisms living in the habitat

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which explanation describes the role of ecological succession in a garden of weeds?

• Movement of plants and animals in a particular ecosystem

• Transportation of plants from one community to another

• Transpiration of plant populations in a short amount of time

• Transformation of plant communities over time

At which point would pioneer species enter this ecosystem?

• Immediately before hardwood trees

• Immediately before shurbs

• Immediately before perennial plants

• Immediately before annual plants

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which statement describes ecological succession in progress?

• A forest fire destroys several hundred acres of wilderness

• New varieties of tress emerge with an increased number of predators

• Some organisms are forced to migrate because of the environmental stress of a drought

• Decreased number of tree varieties emerge with a decrease in predator populations

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How will an area begin to recover after a forest fire?

• Animals return first and then grass, shrubs, small trees, and large trees

• Trees return first and then grass, shrubs, and animals

• Grass returns first and then shrubs, small trees, and large trees

• Small trees return first and then large trees, grass and shrubs

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A hiker approaches a well-established mountain. There are large animals and trees in the habitat. What term best identifies the community?

• Final community

• Primary community

• Climax community

• Habitation community

Ecological succession can best be described as: 

• A change in weather.

• The dominant species in one particular area.

• A gradual change in plant and animal life in an ecosystem over time.

• Species that survive best when there is little or no competition in an area.

An environmental scientist observed the stage of primary succession in an area and recorded his observations on note cards. Which of the following sequences show the correct order of events? 

• 1, 3, 4, 2

• 1, 4, 2, 3

• 2, 3, 1, 4

• 2, 1, 4, 3

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Deforestation occurs when a lumber company cuts down all the trees on 100 acres of heavily wooded land. What will happen first as the land recovers during ecological succession?

• Breakdown of rock into soil

• Appearance of weeds and grass

• Arrival of squirrels

• Growth of trees

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is one way secondary succession differs from primary succession?

• Secondary succession is typically quicker than primary succession.

• Secondary succession is typically slower than primary succession.

• Secondary succession only occurs in mountains, primary succession only occurs in wetlands.

• Secondary succession is the gradual change in plant species, while primary succession is the gradual change in animal species