Ecology Ecological Succession

Question 1

Which type of succession begins on a substrate that has never previously supported life, such as bare rock after a volcanic eruption?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Primary succession occurs on substrates with no prior soil or biological community, such as newly exposed rock after a lava flow.

Question 2

Which organisms are typically the first to colonize bare rock during primary succession?

Accepted Answer

Pioneer species such as lichens

Answer

Pioneer species like lichens are the first colonizers of bare rock because they can tolerate harsh, nutrient-poor conditions and help break down rock into soil.

Question 3

Secondary succession differs from primary succession primarily because secondary succession:

Accepted Answer

Begins on a substrate that already has soil

Answer

Secondary succession occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed but soil and a seed bank remain, allowing recovery to proceed faster than primary succession.

Question 4

What is a climax community in the context of ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

A stable, self-perpetuating community that represents the endpoint of succession

Answer

A climax community is a relatively stable community that replaces itself over time and represents the endpoint of successional change under a given set of environmental conditions.

Question 5

The process by which each successional community modifies the environment and makes it more suitable for the next community is called:

Accepted Answer

Facilitation

Answer

Facilitation occurs when early successional species alter environmental conditions in ways that make the habitat more suitable for later species to establish.

Ecology Practice Test

Ecology Practice Test

Ecology Ecological Succession