a series of predictable changes that occur in an ecosystem after a disturbance
Ecological Succession
primary succession and secondary succession
The Two Types of Succesion
starts of bare rock. Lichens break down the rock and turn it into soil.
Primary Succession
glacial retreats (glaciers moving) and volcanoes
Ecological disturbances that happen before primary succession
an example of a pioneer species; these organisms break rock down into soil in primary succession
Lichens
the first organism to populate an area in primary succession. Example: lichens
Pioneer Species
Bare rock–>lichens–>grasses–>shrubs–>trees
Primary succession timeline
succession that happens on soil
Secondary succession
clear-cutting of forests, abandoned farmland, wildfires
Ecological disturbances that happen before secondary succession
abandoned farmland–>grasses–>shrubs–>young forest–>climax community or mature forest
Secondary succession timeline
Primary succession begins on rock and secondary succession begins on soil
The main difference between primary and secondary succession
decomposed organisms and nutrients necessary to support plant life.
Dirt/soil
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
4 atoms that make up 95% of the body in most organisms
Hydrologic Cycle
Another term for water cycle
evaporation, condensation, precipitation
The three main processes that the water cycle is based on
The change of water vapor to liquid water.
Condensation
The return of water to the earth in the form of rain, sleet, or snow.
Precipitation
The change of liquid water to water vapor.
Evaporation
The evaporation of water from the surface of plant leaves.
Transpiration
atmosphere (CO2 gas), ocean (dissolved Co2 gas), land (organisms, rocks, soil), underground (coal, oil, and petroleum)
The 4 Main Carbon Reservoirs in the Biosphere
volcanic activity, human activity, cellular respiration, decomposition of dead animals.
Sources of Carbon in the Atmosphere
it is found in proteins, lipids (fats), carbohydrates, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
Why is carbon important?
They use the carbon atom to make glucose through the process of photosynthesis.
How do plants use CO2 gas?
the fuel that all living things depend on.
Glucose
The process in which sugars (glucose) are converted to usable energy.
Cellular Respiration
Glucose (sugar) + O2—> CO2 + H20 + Energy (ATP)
Cellular Respiration Equation
Phosphorus Cycle
Makes up DNA, transfers energy in the form of ATP, makes phospholipids for cell membranes.
Why is phosphorus important?
Nitrogen Cycle
Lightning, volcanic activity, special bacteria
N2 (atmospheric nitrogen gas) has a very strong bond that can only be broken by these three things
Nitrogen fixing bacteria take nitrogen from the atmosphere and turn it into ammonia, a form of nitrogen that is usable by plants.
Nitrogen fixation
N2–>NH3
Nitrogen gas–>Ammonia
Nitrogen gas–>Ammonia
Nitrogen fixation equation
Bacteria that convert ammonia (NH3) to nitrites and nitrates.
Plants can also use nitrites and nitrates.
Plants can also use nitrites and nitrates.
Nitrifying Bacteria
Denitrifying bacteria convert ammonia (NH3), nitrates, and nitrites to nitrogen gas (N2).
This process returns the nitrogen to the atmosphere
This process returns the nitrogen to the atmosphere
Denitrification
Nitrogen fixing bacteria, Nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria
Three types of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen is found in proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
Why is nitrogen important?
