Question

name ________ period ______ primary and secondary succession 6. why cant bushes and shrubs grow in the area before grass? ______ 7. what are some examples of secondary consumers? ______ 8. why do trees take over the area, and many of the grasses and bushes die? ______ 9. what is a climax community? ______ 10. why do most ecosystems never reach climax community? ______ 11. what are some examples of areas which will undergo secondary succession? ______ 12. how long does primary succession take? ______ 13. how long does secondary succession take? ______ 14. why does secondary succession happen much faster than primary? ______ 15. why cant grasses, flowers, bushes, and trees immediately begin growing in an area of newly created rock? ______ 16. why are pollinators and primary consumers some of the first organisms to colonize an area? ________

Explanation:

1. In primary succession, soil must first be formed by pioneer species like lichens and mosses. Grasses can establish in the initial - formed soil, but bushes and shrubs require more developed soil with more nutrients and structure, which is not available before grass - stage.
2. Secondary consumers eat primary consumers. Examples include frogs (eat insects that eat plants), snakes (eat small rodents that eat plants), and spiders (eat insects that consume plant matter).
3. Trees out - compete grasses and bushes for sunlight, water, and nutrients as they grow taller and have more extensive root systems. This leads to the decline of grasses and bushes.
4. A climax community is a stable, long - lasting community that has reached a state of equilibrium with its environment, with little change in species composition over time.
5. Most ecosystems are constantly affected by disturbances such as wildfires, floods, human activities, and climate change, which prevent them from reaching a stable climax state.
6. Areas that have undergone a disturbance like a forest fire, a clear - cut forest, or a abandoned farmland will undergo secondary succession as soil and some seeds or root systems remain.
7. Primary succession can take hundreds to thousands of years as it starts from bare rock with the slow process of soil formation and establishment of pioneer species.
8. Secondary succession takes decades to a few hundred years as it starts with existing soil and remnants of previous plant and animal life.
9. Secondary succession is faster because soil is already present, and there are seeds, roots, and other propagules in the soil or nearby areas that can quickly recolonize the area.
10. In newly created rock areas, there is no soil, and the environment is harsh with limited nutrients and water - holding capacity. Pioneer species need to break down the rock and start soil formation first.
11. Pollinators and primary consumers are among the first to colonize an area because they can utilize the early - arriving plant species. Pollinators are attracted to the flowers of pioneer plants, and primary consumers can feed on the plant material.

Answer:

1. Soil not developed enough for bushes and shrubs before grass - stage.
2. Frogs, snakes, spiders.
3. Trees out - compete for resources.
4. A stable, long - lasting, equilibrium community.
5. Constant disturbances prevent it.
6. Burned forests, clear - cut forests, abandoned farmland.
7. Hundreds to thousands of years.
8. Decades to a few hundred years.
9. Soil and propagules already present.
10. No soil and harsh environment.
11. Can utilize early - arriving plant species.