19 Succession 0.0 / 5 ? BiologyGenetics, Populations, Evolution & EcosystemsA2/A-levelAQA Created by: lee8444Created on: 03-02-20 12:38 Stages of Succession At each new stage new species colonise the area and change the environment Could be more suitable for other species with different adaptations and so the current species is out-competed by the new species Could be less suitable for the existing species causing them to be out-competed Successional changes in the abiotic environment These changes generally make the environment less hostile than before 1 of 5 Pioneer Species Stage 1 = Pioneer species Asexual reproduction for rapid multiplying Production of widely dispersed seeds or spores to reach isolated situations Rapid germination so they don't require a period of dormancy Ability to photosynthesise as light is available but food isn't Ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere Tolerance to specific extreme conditions 2 of 5 Succession progression After the pioneer species, such as lichens there is new species such as mosses which can live off the decomposed lichens Then ferns follow the mosses as the abiotic factors are more favourable for new species More water and nutrients can now be stored in the environment Then small, flowering species Then grasses Then shrubs Then trees At each stage, biodiversity and biomass increases Generally the climax community is a deciduous oak woodland with animals aswell 3 of 5 Common features of succession Abiotic fcators become less hostile This causes a greater variety and number of habitats and niches This causes increased biodiversity This causes more complex foodwebs This causes increased biomass, especially during mid-succession 4 of 5 Secondary Succession Land is altered in some way Could be a natural disaster, a change in climate or new predators The species in the climax community will change 5 of 5
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