What evidence do we have that ecosystems change

What evidence do we have that ecosystems change?

Have you ever noticed a fast CHANGE in an ecosystem?

Have you ever noticed an ecosystem change?

HAVE YOU EVER CHANGED AN ECOSYSTEM?

HAVE YOU EVER CHANGED AN ECOSYSTEM?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LEAVE THESECHANGED ECOSYSTEMS ALONE? ?

WHAT IS SUCCESSION? Key Terms for Succession Pioneer Species Primary Succession Secondary Succession Climax Community Succession Video - Explanation

WHAT IS SUCCESSION? Succession: the series of ecological changes that every community undergoes over long periods of time.

Pioneer Species: The first organisms to return to an ecosystem after a dramatic change. They often help to make the environment better for other organisms to return. Ex: Lichens and lupins

CLIMAX COMMUNITY Climax Community: The final stage of succession. This occurs after many years and the ecosystem has reached a new balanced state. There is a wide variety of animals, and larger plants/trees, and trees of different sizes/ages.

MAIN RIVER FOREST, NEWFOUNDLAND

TYPES OF SUCCESSION 1. 2. Two main types of succession: Primary succession Secondary Succession

PRIMARY SUCCESSION Occurs following a change in the environment that has left only bare rock. This means that there is no soil around for plants to quickly move back in.

PRIMARY SUCCESSION

PRIMARY SUCCESSION Primary Succession is a very slow process that can take thousands of years and occurs in the following general sequence:

STAGES OR STEPS TO SUCCESSION Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 24 Lichens More Soil Small Plants Animals Larger Plants Climax Community

STAGE #1: . . . HERE COMES THE LICHENS Lichens start to grow on the rock. These are called pioneer species. 25

STAGE #2: . . HERE COMES MORE SOIL The lichens break down the rock and start to form soil. 26

STAGE #3: . . HERE COMES THE SMALL PLANTS Small, soil. 27 hardy plants begin to grow in the

STAGE #4: . . HERE COMES THE ANIMALS Animals begin to return to the environment and feed on the small plants 28

STAGE #5: . . . HERE COMES THE LARGER PLANTS � Stage 5: Larger plants grow as amount of soil increases from dying plants/animals. 29

STAGE #6. . . CLIMAX COMMUNITY IS FORMING Climax community is formed. Lots of mature trees and high biodiversity. 30

CLIMAX COMMUNITY. . . FINAL STAGE OF SUCCESSION The climax community is the final stage of ecological succession. This stage has the greatest diversity of organisms and very complex food chains and food webs. 31

SECONDARY SUCCESSION Occurs following a change that has left soil on the ground. This makes it much easier for plants and other organisms to return to the area.

SECONDARY SUCCESSION Secondary succession follows the same general pattern as Primary succession, but it happens much more rapidly because there is already soil. (Skip directly to stage#3!)

SECONDARY SUCCESSION

CLIMAX COMMUNITY. . . FINAL STAGE OF SUCCESSION Succession will occur whenever there are favorable circumstances. Over a long period of time (1000’s of years) an area can change from bare rock to a forest if the abiotic and biotic factors are favorable. This change would take place in a series of steps or stages. 36

MT. ST. HELEN’S VOLCANIC EXPLOSION A massive volcanic explosion in the united states gave Ecologists an excellent opportunity to study succession of a forest ecosystem.

STAGES OR STEPS TO SUCCESSION Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 43 Lichens More Soil Small Plants Animals Larger Plants Climax Community

STAGE #1: . . . HERE COMES THE LICHENS Lichens start to grow on the rock. These are called pioneer species. 44

STAGE #2: . . HERE COMES MORE SOIL The lichens break down the rock and start to form soil. 45

STAGE #3: . . HERE COMES THE SMALL PLANTS Small, soil. 46 hardy plants begin to grow in the

STAGE #4: . . HERE COMES THE ANIMALS Animals begin to return to the environment and feed on the small plants 47

STAGE #5: . . . HERE COMES THE LARGER PLANTS � Stage 5: Larger plants grow as amount of soil increases from dying plants/animals. 48

STAGE #6. . . CLIMAX COMMUNITY IS FORMING Climax community is formed. Lots of mature trees and high biodiversity. 49

CLIMAX COMMUNITY. . . FINAL STAGE OF SUCCESSION The climax community is the final stage of ecological succession. This stage has the greatest diversity of organisms and very complex food chains and food webs. 50

WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESSION? Climate is a big factor!! Climate is a very important environmental condition that affects succession and includes: Temperature Precipitation Availability of sunlight **Abiotic Factors!!**