State Standard SB4C. Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems. Ecological Succession Notes (3.1)

State Standard

SB4C. Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems.

Ecological Succession Notes (3.1)

Any biotic factor or abiotic factor that restricts the numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms is called a limiting factor.

Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems

Includes sunlight, climate, temperature, water, nutrients, fire, soil chemistry, and space, and other living things

3.1 Community Ecology

Chapter 3

Limiting Factors

An upper limit and lower limit that define the conditions in which an organism can survive

Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems

The ability of any organism to survive when subjected to abiotic factors or biotic factors is called tolerance.

3.1 Community Ecology

Chapter 3

Range of Tolerance

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems

The change in an ecosystem that happens when one community replaces another as a result of changing abiotic and biotic factors is ecological succession

There are two types of ecological succession—primary succession and secondary succession.

3.1 Community Ecology

Chapter 3

The establishment of a community in an area of bare rock that does not have any soil is primary succession.

Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems

3.1 Community Ecology

Chapter 3

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION - Primary

Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems

The orderly and predictable change that takes place after a community of organisms has been removed but the soil has remained intact is secondary succession.

3.1 Community Ecology

Chapter 3

ECOLOGIAL SUCCESSION - Secondary

Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems

A pond is a relatively shallow hole where water collects & light penetrates to the bottom.

If left unattended, a pond will fill in with dirt & debris until it becomes land.

Pond succession can take hundreds of years

3.1 Community Ecology

Chapter 3

ECOLOGIAL SUCCESSION - Ponds

Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems

As in all types of succession, pond succession happens in predictable steps:

Chapter 3

ECOLOGIAL SUCCESSION - Ponds

• Bare Bottom (algae/microorganisms)

• Submerged Vegetation

• Emerging Vegetation

• Temporary Pond/Marsh

• Terrestrial Ecosystem

Chapter 3

Communities, Biomes, and EcosystemsChapter 3

ECOLOGIAL SUCCESSION - Ponds