Objective: You will be able to list the stages
of ecological succession in New York.
Do Now:
• Read “Ecological succession” on p. 94
• Define ecological succession
Ecological Succession
• The changing of organisms over time in an
area
• The replacement of one community by
another community in an area
Here I am in
Iceland
Here we are on
an active
volcano
Run Mr.
Miller
Run!!!
The remains from a past
eruption
Mr. Miller
Lichens are among the
first living things to move
into an area
Where do you
remember seeing
lichen?
The second organisms
to move into the area
are mosses
What do you think
happened to the
lichen?
Can you see the
green moss?
Notice the grass
has moved in after
the moss
The climax stage in
Iceland is a coniferous
forest
The climax stage in
New York is a
deciduous forest
Where have you seen ecological
succession?
Turn to a partner and tell them your
example
How do you think succession in New
York State would be different than
succession in Iceland?
Lets find out!
Group Activity
• Walk out to the nature trail by high school.
• Groups are to find an example of each
stage and for each:
– Draw and take a picture of the area
– List the defining feature(s) that identify it as
that stage
– Write one sentence to describe what you
would expect to see happen if area was
undisturbed for 25 years
Questions
• List the stages of primary succession you
would see in New York State.
• Why can’t a community last indefinitely?
• Why do we only refer to plants when we
talk about succession?
Extra Credit
• Identify locations throughout town that
represent each stage.
• Repeat the tasks for the group activity
performed today.