Ecological Succession FlipbookThe process of growth, from rock to forest!
By Liam Masson
Science 10, Block 4
November 24, 2013
Bare Rock
Lava is cooled and produces bare rock.
This volcanic rock has no traces of life on it.
Additional info to include about this stage:-No soil.-No biodiversity.-Zero trophic levels present.-No niches.-No nutrient recycling
At this early stage, no plants or animals are present.
These large masses of bare rock came from recently erupted volcanoes on the northern coast of British Columbia. Although it is little known to the general
public, B.C. is home to a huge area of volcanoes and volcanic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Stage 1: Pioneer Species
Primary Succession
Lichen!This previously uninhabited
rock acts as a home for lichen that soon finds its way almost
immediately after the rock cools.
A close-up view of lichen living on rocks, slowly breaking them down into soil.
-Soil: At this stage the soil is very shallow. Barely any!-Biodiversity? Very low biodiversity. Just lichen.-Trophic levels present: Just one primary producer.-Niches: Very little, simple niches.-Nutrient Recycling? Minimal nutrient recycling.
Stage 2: Early Colonizers
Primary SuccessionSmall organisms,
plants and insects are present during this
stage.
Insects and plants, such as mosses, begin to grow, die, and decay, adding
more nutrients to the soil.
-Soil is still pretty shallow, but contains enough nutrients for small plants and insects.-Low species diversity.-Only two trophic levels.-Few and simple niches.-Simple and little nutrient recycling
Grasshoppers, Flies and small shrubs like these may be seen in this level of primary succession.
Primary consumer Primary consumer Primary producer
Stage 3: OpportunistsPrimary Succession
Larger shrubs, bushes, and insects, as well as some smaller animals would be seen at this stage of succession.
As more organisms die and decompose, the soil gains more nutrients and can hold more water. This attracts new
species and creates larger biodiversity in the area.
-Soil: Soil is medium depth.-Species diversity? Medium species diversity.-Trophic levels: 2, producers, primary consumers.-Niches? Some. Still quite simple, though.-Nutrient recycling? Medium, effective.
Red Huckleberry(Primary producer)
Douglas squirrel(PrimaryConsumer)
Stage 4: Mature Forest/Climax Community
Primary Succession
Primary succession is complete!Animals find their way to the ecosystem
in search of an area with low competition. Coniferous trees germinate
and shade out the smaller, deciduous trees. A wide diversity of plants and
animals are introduced and a mature community develops.
-Soil? Soil is rich and deep.-species diversity? High biodiversity.-trophic levels present? 4 trophic levels: Producers, Primary consumers, Secondary consumers and Tertiary consumers.-niches? Many complex niches.-nutrient recycling? Good, efficient.
Douglas fir(Producer)
Black slug(Primary consumer)
Douglas squirrel(Primary consumer)
Raccoon(Secondary consumer)
Grizzly bear(Tertiary consumer)
Pine beetle infestation!Disturbance
A Pine beetle infestation is introduced into the ecosystem.
This causes plants and trees to die very quickly. Since the plants that the
pine beetles kill are primary producers, every trophic level is
affected.
-What is the soil like after the disturbance? After the infected trees die and decompose, the remaining nutrients in the tree are absorbed into the soil.-Species diversity? As animals begin to die out, biodiversity decreases.-Trophic levels: 3:Primary consumers will soon starve, which will kill off the secondary and tertiary consumers.-Niches? Diminishing, simple.-Nutrient recycling? Large amounts of nutrients are released.
Secondary Succession
After a few hundred years, the secondary succession will have
completed, and a climax community will develop once again..
Because of the nutrient-rich soil left from the previous
climax community, the ecological succession can
easily and quickly take place once again.
-Soil: Very rich.-Species diversity? Low-Trophic levels: 1, Primary producers.-Niches? Few, simple.-Nutrient recycling? Little nutrient recycling.
Sources
Wikipedia-Red Huckleberryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccinium_parvifolium
Wikipedia-Geography of B.C.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_British_Columbia
Wikipedia-British Columbia volcanoeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_British_Columbia#Volcanoes
Animals of British Columbiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammals_of_Canada
BC Science 10 textbookSection 3.1
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