BSC 2011 Chapter Notes - Chapter 54: Primary Succession, Ecological Niche, Climax Community
27 Aug 2016
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Document Summary
Succession: blowout - populations ebb & flow over time, but sometimes there is a dramatic disturbance that destroys an ecosystem. Human activity: clear cutting of a forest or strip mining: ecological succession the process of sequential rebuilding of an ecosystem following a dramatic destruction, 2 types of succession: Primary succession: when ecosystem is rebuilt from a lifeless area. Characterized by lack of soil: the essential operation is soil replenishment, 1. Weathering and decay begins to build soil: 3. Pioneer organisms are overrun by other organisms, such as grasses & brushes: finally, there is a climax community. Secondary succession: blowout event that does not destroy the soil, since soil is intact, the regeneration process occurs relatively quickly. By contrast, primary succession takes about 10,000 years to fully recover. Keystone species: occupy an important ecological niche in an ecosystem, dramatically affect the diversity of an ecosystem. Dominant species: highest dry biomass in the community.
