GE 112 Lab ExerciseTitle: Vegetative Succession.

REMEMBER! Use the format as outlined below. Use complete sentences. Attach documents as requested using the same numbering system.

Introduction:

An influential theory in Biogeography (the science that explores the spatial arrangement of living organisms) is Vegetative or Ecological succession. Originally proposed by Fredric Clements, Vegetative or Ecological succession holds that there is a “more-or-less predictable and orderly changes in the composition or structure of an ecological community”. Often these changes are visible in response to a disturbance on the landscape.

  1. Define Vegetative or Ecological Succession.
  2. Provide examples of a disturbance on the landscape.
  3. Look up the description of Vegetative Succession in Chapter 11 of your text. Include your version of Dr. McKnight’s diagram as this entry on your lab report.

Data and Methods:

For this lab we will explore sites that reflect the order of vegetative succession that takes place in North Alabama after a disturbance. The disturbance in this case was settlement and the introduction of agriculture (‘man’ can be a very disruptive force on the landscape). We will be exploring these changes at Key Cave Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

  1. Include a map of the location of Key Cave WMA and indicate on this map our approximate path.
  2. What was the source of disturbance for this area?
  3. Why is this location a useful site in exploring the concept of Vegetative or Ecological succession?

Results and Analysis:

As we walk, you should be able to easily see the changes in vegetation type and structure. While we are looking at these changes across space, it should be fairly obvious that the identical process would take place in a single location over time. The seral stages we are going to observe are: A. herb, B. shrub, C. immature forest, D. mature forest

  1. For each seral stage include a sketch or photograph and description… LABEL each sketch/photo with the appropriate letter designator and a brief description of the vegetation. There should be four (4) stages identified in your final report.
  2. Discuss the concept of a ‘limiting factor’? What is the primary limiting factor that drives the Vegetative Succession we observed at Key Cave WMA?
  3. What is an ‘exotic species”? What are examples of ‘exotic’ plant species that have been introduced in North Alabama? How does the introduction of these species impact vegetative succession?
  4. Speculate what a disturbed site will look like in the absence of another large-scale disturbance in 50 yr? 100 yr? 1000 yr?