Foothill High School Science Department Interactions In Ecosystems Ecological Succession

Foothill High School Science DepartmentFoothill High School Science Department

Interactions In EcosystemsInteractions In Ecosystems

Ecological SuccessionEcological Succession



Key ConceptKey Concept::Ecosystems are constantly changing Ecosystems are constantly changing

in response to natural & human in response to natural & human disturbances.disturbances.

As an ecosystem changes, older As an ecosystem changes, older inhabitants gradually die out and new inhabitants gradually die out and new organisms move in, causing further organisms move in, causing further changes in the community.changes in the community.



• Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession– Pioneer SpeciesPioneer Species are the first species are the first species

to colonize. On rock, usually to colonize. On rock, usually lichenslichens

– Pioneer Species Pioneer Species build soil.build soil.

• Secondary SuccessionSecondary Succession– Follows Pioneer Species Usually Follows Pioneer Species Usually

PlantsPlants


LichensLichensMutualistic Relationship Between Fungus & Mutualistic Relationship Between Fungus &

Algae or CyanobacteriumAlgae or Cyanobacterium



• Climax CommunityClimax Community– Mature, Stable Communities That Mature, Stable Communities That

Change Very Slowly.Change Very Slowly.

www.science-class.net Powerpoint on Ecological Succession


Ecological SuccessionEcological Succession• In Marine CommunitiesIn Marine Communities

– Whale CarcassWhale CarcassStage 1Stage 1

Attracts scavengers & decomposersAttracts scavengers & decomposersStage 2Stage 2

Attracts Fewer, Smaller species. Area is Attracts Fewer, Smaller species. Area is fertilizedfertilized

Stage 3Stage 3 Heterotrophic bacteria & Heterotrophic bacteria & chemosynthetic autotrophschemosynthetic autotrophs

Documents

Foothill High School Science Department Interactions In Ecosystems Ecological Succession