Question 1

What is ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

The progressive change in an ecological community's species structure over time

Question 2

What is primary succession?

Accepted Answer

Ecological succession that occurs when a new patch of land is created/exposed for the first time

(e.g., volcanic eruptions creating new land)

Question 3

What is secondary succession?

Accepted Answer

Ecological succession that occurs in an area that previously had wildlife but was disturbed (e.g., due to a forest fire)

Question 4

What are pioneer species?

Accepted Answer

Species that are the first to colonize barren environments in ecological succession

(mosses and lichens pave the way for larger plants)

Question 5

What happens as an ecosystem progresses through ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

Larger and more complex plants begin to grow, increasing total biomass, species richness, and net productivity

(mosses/lichens -> grasses -> shrubs -> small trees -> large trees)

Question 6

What are keystone species?

Accepted Answer

Species whose activities have a particularly significant role in determining the structure of an ecological community

Question 7

What are indicator species?

Accepted Answer

Species that demonstrate that some distinctive aspect of an ecosystem is present

(presence of amphibians means healthy water; decrease in amphibians may signal pollution)

2.7 Ecological Succession, AP Environmental Science Flashcards