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Ecological Succession Quiz 6 (10 MCQs)

This set of multiple-choice questions evaluates understanding of ecological succession, including primary and secondary succession, stages of succession, and post-disturbance recovery. It covers concepts such as pioneer species, climax community, and the role of ecological disturbances like forest fires in ecosystem development and recovery.

Quiz Instructions

Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.

1. After a forest fire, communities of plants and other organisms become reestablished in the soil that remains. This is called .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Secondary succession.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Secondary succession is the process of ecological succession that occurs in an area where the ecosystem was previously disturbed but the soil remained intact. This is different from primary succession, which occurs in areas where there is no soil, such as on bare rock or sand dunes.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is confusing primary and secondary succession. Primary succession starts on bare rock or other surfaces where there is no soil, while secondary succession occurs on soil that remains after a disturbance.

Explanations: Secondary succession occurs after a disturbance such as a forest fire, where the soil is still present but the vegetation and other organisms are destroyed. The process of reestablishing communities of plants and other organisms in the remaining soil is called secondary succession.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Primary succession occurs on bare rock or other surfaces where there is no soil, not on soil that remains after a disturbance.
Option B: Coevolution refers to the process where two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution, which is unrelated to the reestablishment of communities after a disturbance.
Option C: Secondary succession is the correct term for the reestablishment of communities in soil that remains after a disturbance such as a forest fire.
Option D: Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected, which is unrelated to the reestablishment of communities after a disturbance.
Option E: Resource partitioning is the division of resources among species to reduce competition, which is unrelated to the reestablishment of communities after a disturbance.

2. What type of succession is shown going from figure A to figure B?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Secondary succession.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Secondary succession occurs in an area where the ecosystem has been disturbed but the soil remains intact. This is different from primary succession, which starts on bare rock or other areas where soil has not yet formed.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is confusing primary and secondary succession. Primary succession starts on bare rock or areas without soil, while secondary succession starts on soil that already exists.

Explanations: Secondary succession is the correct answer because it involves the recovery of an ecosystem after a disturbance, such as a fire or deforestation, where the soil is still present. The transition from figure A to figure B shows the progression of plant and animal communities on an area where the soil has not been completely removed, indicating secondary succession.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Primary succession starts on bare rock or areas without soil, which is not the case here.
Option B: Ecological succession is a broader term that includes both primary and secondary succession, but it does not specify the type of succession shown.
Option C: Secondary succession is the correct answer as it involves the recovery of an ecosystem on soil that remains after a disturbance.
Option D: Intermediate succession is not a standard term in ecological succession and is not applicable here.

3. What type of succession follows a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Secondary succession.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Secondary succession occurs when a disturbance destroys a community but leaves the soil intact. The process of secondary succession begins with the re-colonization of the area by plants and animals that can grow on the existing soil.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is confusing secondary succession with primary succession, which occurs on bare ground where there is no soil, such as after a volcanic eruption.

Explanations: Secondary succession follows a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil. The soil retains nutrients and seeds, allowing for rapid re-colonization by plants and animals. This is different from primary succession, which starts on bare ground with no soil present.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Secondary succession occurs when the soil remains intact after a disturbance.
Option B: Incorrect. Primary succession occurs on bare ground with no soil, such as after a volcanic eruption.
Option C: Incorrect. Climax succession refers to the final, stable stage of ecological succession, not the process following a disturbance.
Option D: Incorrect. Pioneer succession is not a standard term in ecological succession; it may refer to the initial stages of primary succession.

4. Several years after a building had been torn down and the ground cleared, grasses began to grow in that area. After 10 years, small bushes replaced the grasses. This pattern of plant growth is known as:

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Ecologicalsuccession.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Ecological succession is the process by which a community of organisms changes over time, often following a disturbance such as the removal of a building. This process involves the gradual replacement of one community by another, leading to a more stable ecosystem.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is that ecological succession only occurs in disturbed areas. However, it can also occur in undisturbed areas as part of natural ecosystem development.

Explanations: The pattern of plant growth described in the question, where grasses are initially replaced by small bushes over a period of 10 years, is a classic example of ecological succession. This process involves the gradual change in species composition over time, starting with pioneer species (like grasses) and progressing to more complex communities (like bushes).

Option Analysis:

Option A: Biological control involves the use of natural predators or parasites to manage pest populations and is not related to the sequence of plant growth described.
Option B: Cover cropping is the practice of planting crops to cover the soil and prevent erosion, but it does not describe the natural progression of plant communities over time.
Option C: Ecological succession accurately describes the process of plant communities changing over time, as seen in the growth of grasses followed by small bushes.
Option D: Land-use management involves the planning and regulation of land use, but it does not describe the natural progression of plant communities.

5. What length of time is required for primary succession to reach the stage of a climax community?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Several hundred to thousands of years.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Primary succession is the process by which an ecosystem develops in an area that has never been colonized by organisms or has been completely stripped of life. This process can take a very long time, often several hundred to thousands of years, to reach the climax community stage.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is that primary succession occurs quickly, similar to secondary succession, which can happen in a shorter time frame.

Explanations: Primary succession begins with bare rock or soil and progresses through various stages, each with different types of organisms. The process is slow because it involves the gradual development of soil and the establishment of a stable ecosystem. This can take several hundred to thousands of years, depending on factors such as climate, soil development, and the availability of pioneer species.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ten to twenty years is too short for primary succession to reach the climax community stage.
Option B: Several hundred to thousands of years is the correct time frame for primary succession to reach the climax community stage.
Option C: One to two years is far too short for primary succession to reach the climax community stage.
Option D: A few weeks is far too short for primary succession to reach the climax community stage.

6. What is an increase of biodiversity over time, after a natural or man made disturbance?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Ecological succession.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Ecological succession is the process by which an ecological community changes over time after a disturbance. It involves the gradual replacement of one community by another, leading to an increase in biodiversity.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is that ecological succession only occurs after natural disturbances, but it can also occur after man-made disturbances.

Explanations: Ecological succession is the process by which an ecosystem changes over time following a disturbance. This process involves the gradual replacement of one community by another, leading to an increase in biodiversity. The other options do not accurately describe this process. Ecological succession is a natural progression that occurs as species adapt and new species colonize the area, leading to a more diverse and stable ecosystem.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Ecological recession is not a recognized term in ecology and does not describe the increase in biodiversity over time.
Option B: Climax recession is not a recognized term in ecology and does not describe the increase in biodiversity over time.
Option C: Ecological succession accurately describes the process of increasing biodiversity over time after a disturbance.
Option D: Climax succession is not a recognized term in ecology and does not describe the increase in biodiversity over time.

7. A garden was cleared out, but had to be left alone for a month. What would you expect to see?

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Grasses and weeds.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes: Ecological succession is the process by which an ecosystem changes over time. In primary succession, a new habitat is colonized by pioneer species, which are often grasses and weeds. These species are quick to establish and can thrive in disturbed environments.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is that a garden left alone for a month would revert to a more complex ecosystem, such as a fully blossomed garden or a forest. However, the timeframe is too short for more complex ecosystems to develop.

Explanations: Grasses and weeds are pioneer species that can quickly colonize disturbed areas. Given the short timeframe of one month, these species would be the most likely to establish themselves in the cleared garden. Lichens and mosses, while also early colonizers, typically take longer to establish. Bushes and small trees require more time to grow and develop, and a fully blossomed garden would require significant time and care to achieve.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Lichens and mosses are early colonizers but typically take longer to establish than grasses and weeds.
Option B: Grasses and weeds are the most likely to establish in a short timeframe due to their rapid growth and colonization abilities.
Option C: A fully blossomed garden requires significant time and care, which is not feasible in just one month.
Option D: Bushes and small trees take longer to grow and develop, making them unlikely to establish in just one month.

8. Primary and secondary succession start with pioneer species that .....

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Allow more complex organisms.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Ecological succession is the process by which an ecosystem changes over time. Primary and secondary succession both start with pioneer species that are capable of colonizing bare or disturbed areas. These pioneer species create conditions that allow more complex organisms to establish themselves over time.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is that pioneer species dominate the ecosystem indefinitely. In reality, they pave the way for more complex organisms to thrive.

Explanations: Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize an area after a disturbance. They are typically hardy and can survive in harsh conditions. As these pioneer species grow and reproduce, they modify the environment, making it more suitable for other, more complex organisms. This process allows the ecosystem to develop and become more diverse over time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option is incorrect because pioneer species do not specifically allow predators to invade and take over. They create conditions that allow a variety of organisms to establish themselves, not just predators.
Option B: This option is incorrect because pioneer species do not necessarily invade and take over. They are the initial colonizers that set the stage for subsequent species.
Option C: This option is correct because pioneer species create conditions that allow more complex organisms to establish themselves in the ecosystem.
Option D: This option is incorrect because pioneer species do not prevent non-native organisms. They create conditions that allow a variety of organisms, including non-native ones, to potentially establish themselves.

Mnemonic: Pioneer species pave the way for more complex life.

9. A landslide causes part of a mountainside to fall away, leaving bare rock. In the years immediately following the landslide, the area will experience

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (A) Primary succession.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Environmental Systems and Societies, Ecology exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: Primary succession occurs when organisms colonize an area that has never been colonized before or has been completely stripped of its previous life forms, such as after a landslide that leaves bare rock.

Common Mistakes: A common mistake is confusing primary succession with secondary succession. Secondary succession occurs in areas where the soil is still present, such as after a forest fire, whereas primary succession starts on bare rock or other surfaces without soil.

Explanations: The landslide has left the area with bare rock, which means there is no soil or previous vegetation. This scenario fits the definition of primary succession, where organisms begin to colonize an area that has never been colonized before or has been completely stripped of its previous life forms. The process starts with pioneer species that can survive on bare rock and gradually build soil, allowing for the establishment of more complex communities over time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Correct. Primary succession occurs on bare rock or other surfaces without soil, which is the case after a landslide.
Option B: Incorrect. Secondary succession occurs in areas where the soil is still present, such as after a forest fire.
Option C: Incorrect. Tertiary succession is not a recognized term in ecological succession.
Option D: Incorrect. A climax community is the final stage of ecological succession, not the immediate process following a landslide.

10. Final illustration (#8) shows

Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (B) Climax community.

Exam Relevance: AP Environmental Science, IB Biology, Undergraduate Ecology Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes: In ecological succession, a climax community is the final stage where the ecosystem reaches a stable state with a balanced mix of species that can sustain themselves over long periods.

Common Mistakes: A common misunderstanding is confusing the climax community with the pioneer species, which are the first organisms to colonize an area after a disturbance.

Explanations: The final illustration (#8) shows a climax community because it represents the mature, stable ecosystem where the species composition and environmental conditions have reached a steady state. This stage is characterized by a diverse and balanced community of organisms that can persist without significant changes over time.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Pioneer species are the initial colonizers of a disturbed area and do not represent the final stage of ecological succession.
Option B: Climax community is the correct answer as it represents the final, stable stage of ecological succession.
Option C: The illustration would not show only biotic factors, as it includes both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.
Option D: The illustration would not show only abiotic factors, as it includes both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ecological succession?

Ecological succession is the process by which an ecosystem changes over time, starting from bare rock or after a disturbance, until it reaches a stable climax community.

How does primary succession differ from secondary succession?

Primary succession occurs on bare rock or other surfaces with no soil, while secondary succession happens in areas where soil is intact, such as after a forest fire.

What role do pioneer species play in ecological succession?

Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize an area, often grasses and weeds, and they help to create conditions for other species to follow.

How does ecological disturbance affect ecosystem recovery?

Ecological disturbances, such as forest fires, can reset the succession process, leading to a new cycle of ecosystem development and recovery.

What is a climax community in ecological succession?

A climax community is the final stage of ecological succession, characterized by a stable ecosystem with high biodiversity and a balanced plant community.

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