Lesson 4 Ecology - Week 32

Which of the following correctly describe primary succession?

• Begins after a fire clears out part of a forest

• Takes place on newly formed volcanic rock

• Occurs where there is no soil initially

• Involves replanting by humans

• Starts with the growth of grasses and small shrubs

Which species are typically considered pioneer species?

• Lichens

• Oak trees

• Mosses

• Deer

• Pines

What are common characteristics of climax communities?

• Low biodiversity and few species

• Stable and self-sustaining over time

• Appear immediately after a disturbance

• High species diversity and complex food webs

• Dominated by pioneer species

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Which situations would most likely lead to secondary succession?

• Lava flow covers an area of land

• Forest is cleared for farming

• A glacier retreats

• A wildfire burns a section of forest

• A landslide forms a new rock surface

How do pioneer species help prepare an area for later-stage species?

• They create deep shade for taller trees

• They enrich the soil as they die and decompose

• They increase biodiversity immediately

• They break down rock into soil

• They prevent erosion with long root systems

Which of the following are examples of abiotic factors that influence succession?

• Rainfall patterns

• Predator-prey interactions

• Soil composition

• Decomposer populations

• Temperature

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Which organisms are most likely to appear in a mid-succession stage?

• Grasses

• Shrubs

• Mosses

• Hardwood trees

• Small mammals

Which processes contribute to the development of soil during primary succession?

• Human farming

• Weathering of rock

• Decomposition of pioneer species

• Wildfire

• Grazing by herbivores

Which ecosystems could represent a climax community?

• A forest of mature oak and hickory trees

• A grassy field that’s mowed weekly

• A desert with cacti and drought-adapted plants

• A newly burned forest

• A moss-covered rock face

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which of the following show that an ecosystem is becoming more stable?

• Increase in biodiversity

• Sudden growth of only one species

• Appearance of top predators

• Total absence of disturbance

• The presence of lichens and mosses

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