Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

______is a gradual change of a community over time and occurs in ______stages.

I. ______Succession- When a small community of living things begin to live in an area that ______previously contain plants or animals.

Stages:

1) This begins when ______is exposed and ______grow on the rock.

2) The ______in the lichens break down the rock over time and these particles of rock mix with dead lichen to form ______.

3) After many years, the soil becomes deep enough for ______to grow. ______and other organisms begin to live in the mosses and lichens.

4) Over time, the soil layers thicken and the moss is replaced with ______. These ferns are replaced by ______and ______. Small shrubs and trees begin growing.

5) After hundreds of years, the soil is deep enough to support a ______.

1. Lichen is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and

a)  an animal b) a protist c)an insect d) a plant

2. Which of the following would you observe growing first in primary succession?

a)  oak tree b)dogwood tree c)ferns d)moss

3. What is a community that has grown to its full growth called?

II. ______Succession- When an existing community is ______and the original plant community regrows.

·  ______- an event that interrupts life in an ecosystem.

Continuous Cycle

Which of the following would NOT be considered a disturbance?

a) cutting the grass b) Ice storm c) Forest Fire d)Animal grazing e)All above are disturbances

Explain why frequent disturbances contribute to more diversity of organisms:

______

Objective:

To observe the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae.

Procedures:

1.  Place the ground lichen on the glass slide.

2.  Add 1 to 2 drops of water.

3.  Using the blunt end of the probe or the eraser, grind a piece of lichen up in the Petri dish.

4.  Cover with the cover slip.

5.  Observe under the microscope.

Results:

Draw the lichen sample. Label the fungal hyphae and the algae or bacteria. Don’t forget to record total magnification.

Conclusions:

1.  What is a lichen?

2.  What type of symbiosis are lichens an example of?

3.  What does the fungus get from the relationship?

4.  What does the alga or bacteria get from the relationship?

5.  What do you think would happen if you removed the algae from the fungus?

6.  Why are lichens called pioneer species?

7.  If there were no lichens growing in a particular area, what would that tell you about the air quality in that area?