Name: Period: Ecological Succession Web Lesson and Virtual Activity Have you ever noticed new plants growing on a recently cleared field? Have you ever weeded your garden only to find that after a few weeks later new weeds have grown in again? Both of these examples are examples of ecological succession. Ecological succession is the gradual process of ecosystems growing and changing over time. Ecological is a word that describes natural events and relationships between living things, and succession means a sequence of small events that lead up to a climax. In essence, ecological succession is a series of events where life comes back. As you may have noticed, nothing remains constant in nature. The two main types of ecological succession are primary succession and secondary succession. In this virtual lesson, you will discover and explore the process of ecological succession and apply your new knowledge through a series of interactive ecological succession activities. Part A – What Is Ecological Succession? Video Use the link below to watch the “Ecological Succession” video by Bozeman Science. As you watch, answer the questions. http://tinyurl.com/z3czdl6 1. What is succession? 2. What are the two parts of ecological succession? 3. What three abiotic factors make it possible for soil to gather and build on rock landscapes? 1. 2. 3. 4. What is the name of the new island off Iceland that has begun succession since 1963? 5. List three things that can bring life to a barren island. 1. 2. 3. 6. Is soil necessary for secondary succession? 7. What is secondary succession? 8. What is the difference between primary and secondary succession? 9. What are some examples of disturbances that lead to secondary succession? 10. What are the first organisms that inhabit a barren landscape called? 11. Why are lupine important to primary succession? 12. What are climax species? 13. If your area experienced a severe disturbance, what type of pioneer species do you think would emerge in your area? Part B – Ecosystem Succession Interactive Simulation Click on the following link to complete the Ecosystem Succession Interactive Simulation. Answer the following questions as you move through the activity. http://tinyurl.com/homf6v2 ©2016 Science Is Real by Ana Ulrich Succession Tab 14. What is a community? 15. What are some examples of catalysts for succession? 16. Primary succession takes place where there is little to no soil. What are some examples of places that primary succession would occur? . 17. Secondary succession takes place where soil is already present. What are some examples of these places that secondary succession would occur? Primary Succession Tab 18. Complete the simulation. List the five steps of primary succession. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 19. What is the relationship between topsoil and nutrients? Secondary Succession Tab 20. Why does secondary succession take much less time than primary succession? Quiz Tab 21. What is the order of succession of plants in primary and secondary succession? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Part C – Interactive Site – Primary Succession On Glacial Moraine Use the link below to interact with the “Primary Succession on Glacial Moraine” virtual interactive by life9e website. As you work through the interactive, fill in the blanks below. http://tinyurl.com/jde7ek4 22. A change in community composition following a disturbance is called an 23. Ecologists divide successions into two types called: and 24. Primary succession begins on sites lacking any 25. As a glacier retreats, it brings along gravel deposits know as populated by , , and 26. Slightly older moraine who have gone through primary succession include 27. Why are Dryus and Alnus important to primary succession on Glacial Bay? 28. How is succession affected by increased soil nitrogen? succession. . The youngest moraine are , , and . ©2016 Science Is Real by Ana Ulrich 29. In conclusion, how are ecologists able to deduce the process of succession at Glacial Bay? Part D – Ecosystem Explorative Site – Terrestrial Succession Game Click the link to the right to access the next activities. http://tinyurl.com/zhdygp9 Look at the menu on the left side of the screen. Click “Explore: Ecosystem Construction Site”. Click to start the game and follow the interactive directions to answer the following questions. 30. Read the prompt and click skip (upper left of game screen). What are the three ecosystem-­‐building missions that you will be completing? 1. 2. 3. 31. Why is sequence important? 32. Your objective for the mission is to turn into an inhabited by pioneer species. Pioneer species are 33. Play the game by manipulating the weather, vegetation, and animals on the island until you have reached maturity. In three or more sentences, describe what you did to create a successful this ecosystem. *Using the same website link above, scroll down the screen until you find the “Succession Vocabulary” Game. Play the game until all your answers are correct. When you are finished, write the definitions of the following terms below. 34. • Pioneer Species: • Intermediate Species: • Primary Succession: • Secondary Succession: • Mature Forest: *Using the same website link above, scroll down below until you find the “Pond Succession” game. Play the game and answer the following question when you are finished. 35. Summarize how a freshwater ecosystem, such as a pond, can change into a terrestrial ecosystem. Part E – End Of Lesson Quiz (NO Internet Required) 36. How is primary and secondary succession different? 37. How is primary and secondary succession the same? 38. What is the first group of organisms to colonize an area called? 39. List some events that would start secondary succession. 40. What is one fact you learned from this lesson that you will remember forever? ©2016 Science Is Real by Ana Ulrich