5.3.2 Secondary Succession

• What is the starting condition of secondary succession?

  Land with existing soil
• Secondary succession can occur after events such as forest fires, floods, deforestation, or abandoned agricultural land
• Secondary succession speeds up ecosystem re-establishment because the soil is already present.
• Which species are often the first to colonize an area after a forest fire in secondary succession?

  Grasses and shrubs
• Primary succession starts on bare rock or new land, while secondary succession starts on land with existing soil
• Secondary succession is initiated by new land formation or exposure.

  False
• What is the initial process in secondary succession?

  Re-colonization by pioneer species
• Stages of secondary succession in order

  1️⃣ Pioneer Community

  2️⃣ Intermediate Communities

  3️⃣ Climax Community
• In the pioneer community stage of secondary succession, annual grasses and weeds stabilize the soil
• The climax community in secondary succession is dominated by mature trees like oak and maple.
• What is the role of pioneer species in secondary succession?

  Prepare the habitat for future communities
• Match the role of pioneer species with its description:

  Soil Stabilization ↔️ Prevents erosion and compaction

  Soil Enrichment ↔️ Adds organic matter, fixes nitrogen

  Shade Provision ↔️ Creates cover for shade-tolerant species
• What are the key characteristics of a climax community in secondary succession?

  Stability, high biodiversity, resilience
• What is the final, stable stage of ecosystem development in secondary succession called?

  Climax community
• The climax community in secondary succession is characterized by stability, high biodiversity, and resilience
• Late-successional species dominate the climax community in secondary succession.
• What is secondary succession initiated by?

  Disturbances leaving soil intact
• Unlike primary succession, secondary succession starts on land where soil is already present
• Match the disturbance with its example in secondary succession:

  Forest fire ↔️ Colonization by grasses

  Flood ↔️ Ecosystem recovery

  Deforestation ↔️ Soil stabilization

  Abandoned agricultural land ↔️ Climax state progression
• What are the first species to colonize an area after a forest fire in secondary succession called?

  Pioneer species
• Stages of secondary succession in order:

  1️⃣ Pioneer community

  2️⃣ Intermediate communities

  3️⃣ Climax community
• What are the key species in the pioneer community during secondary succession?

  Annual grasses, weeds, wildflowers
• Each stage of secondary succession prepares the land for subsequent communities, leading to increased biodiversity
• What is one key role of pioneer species in secondary succession?

  Soil stabilization
• Pioneer species in secondary succession have deep root systems to stabilize the soil.

  False
• Match the feature with its description in the climax community of secondary succession:

  Stability ↔️ Unchanged species composition

  Biodiversity ↔️ Variety of species

  Resilience ↔️ Ability to recover from disturbances

  Species Composition ↔️ Dominated by late-successional species
• What is one factor that influences the rate of secondary succession?

  Soil conditions
• Nutrient-poor soils during secondary succession favor nitrogen-fixing species like legumes
• Order the processes of secondary succession in a forest after a wildfire:

  1️⃣ Grasses and herbaceous plants colonize

  2️⃣ Nutrient cycling and soil stabilization occur

  3️⃣ Shrubs and eventually mature trees dominate

  4️⃣ A rich forest ecosystem establishes
• What is the ecological significance of secondary succession?

  Ecosystem restoration
• Secondary succession enhances ecosystem function by promoting biodiversity and resilience.