Chapter 8. Chapter 8: Community Ecology

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Guiding Question 8.5

How do ecosystems change over time through ecological succession? How can we use this knowledge to assist in ecosystem restoration?

Why You Should Care

The concept of ecological succession was one of the first hypotheses developed by modern ecologists, and it is still a major focus of research. Succession is predictable and can take a long time, even centuries, to reach a stable community. Understanding the predictable sequence of succession for different ecosystems is important because it allows researchers to assess the impact of a disruption. Understanding succession also gives researchers an idea of how to recreate a stable ("climax") community when restoring ecosystems.

Test Your Vocabulary

Choose the correct term for each of the following definitions:

Term	Definition
	The end stage of ecological succession in which the conditions created by the climax species are suitable for the plants that created them so they can persist as long as their environment remains unchanged.
	Progressive replacement of plant (and then animal) species in a community over time due to the changing conditions that the plants themselves create (more soil, shade, etc.).
	The science that deals with the repair of damaged or disturbed ecosystems.
	Ecological succession that occurs in an area where no ecosystem existed before (e.g., on bare rock with no soil).
	Species that move into an area at later stages of ecological succession.
	Ecological succession that occurs in an ecosystem that has been disturbed; occurs more quickly than primary succession because soil is present.
	Plant species that move into an area during early stages of succession; these are often r-species and may be annuals, species that live one year, leave behind seeds, and then die.

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1.

In the forests of eastern North America, a driving force behind successional change is the , whereas in the Everglades, it is the .

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