- Imagine a forest fire destroyed a forest. The forest will slowly re-establish itself, which
is an example of what kind of succession? - A glacier slowly melts, leaving bare rock behind it. As life starts establishing itself on
the newly available land, what kind of succession is this? - Is the climax community look the same in all parts of the world?
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/529104/Ecological-Succession
- http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/succession.html
- http://ecolibrary.cs.brandeis.edu/general_search.php?id=CS_Succession@Secondary%
20succession&page=links - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
Vocabulary
climax communities A stable community that is the end product of succession.
ecological succession The continual replacement of one community by another that oc-
curs after some disturbance of the ecosystem.
primary succession Ecological succession that occurs in disturbed areas that have no or
little soil, i.e. after a glacier retreats.
pioneer species The species that first inhabit a disturbed area.
secondary succession Ecological succession that occurs in disturbed areas that have soil
to begin with, i.e. after a forest fire.
Points to Consider
- Think about what would happen if dangerous toxins were illegally dumped near a
river? - Discuss why it is important to seek alternative energy sources.
- Do we have an infinite supply of fossil fuels, or can we run out some day?
Image Sources
(1) http://www.flickr.com/photos/takomabibelot/265503235/. CC-BY.