AP Biology : Understand differences between primary and secondary succession
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
Where does primary succession occur?
A currently inhabited environment
An environment lacking plant and animal life
A previously inhabited environment
None of these
An environment lacking plant and animal life
Primary succession is the colonizing of a new environment that lacks organisms and plant life. Primary succession is different from secondary succession; secondary succession is the colonizing of an environment that once supported life but was abandoned due to an ecological disturbance. An example of this is the colonizing of new land formed by lava flow.
Example Question #2 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
Which of the following best describes when secondary succession occurs?
A currently inhabited environment
All of these
An environment lacking plant and animal life
A previously inhabited environment
A previously inhabited environment
Secondary succession can be described as the colonization of a habitat that once supported plant and animal life but was abandoned due to ecological disturbance. Types of ecological disturbances such as hurricanes and floods can empty a habitat.
Example Question #1 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
Which type of succession would be likely to occur in an area that has recently experienced a wildfire?
Pioneering succession
Secondary succession
Primary succession
Revitalization
Secondary succession
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. Secondary succession occurs in an area that had previously been inhabited but experienced a disturbance, such as a wildfire. In this scenario, there still would be soil.
Example Question #1 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
In an area with primary succession occurring, which type of wildlife would be likely to grow first?
Pine trees
Perennials
Lichen
Oak trees
Lichen
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. The first organisms to grow (called pioneer species) are fast growing, hardy species.
Example Question #1 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
Where would primary succession likely occur?
In a forest where many trees were chopped down for logging purposes
In an environment recently burned by a wildfire
On a newly created volcanic island
In an environment that was recently flooded by a river
On a newly created volcanic island
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. Secondary succession occurs in an area that had previously been inhabited but experienced a disturbance, such as a wildfire. The newly created volcanic island has no previous life, and is made of rock, devoid of soil.
Example Question #1 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
During primary succession, when are pioneer species likely to be found in an environment?
Near later stages of succession
When many nutrients are available
During the summer
Near early stages of succession
Near early stages of succession
Pioneer species are the first species to colonize an environment, and thus would be found in the early stages of succession.
Example Question #1 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
Which would not be a cause of secondary succession?
Windstorm
Flooding
Deforestation due to logging
Lava flow
Lava flow
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. Secondary succession occurs in an area that had previously been inhabited but experienced a disturbance, such as a lava flow. Secondary succession occurs in environments that have been distrubed, but have some remaining soil and vegetation.
Example Question #1 : Understand Differences Between Primary And Secondary Succession
The first species to inhabit an area after a disruption area called
pioneer species
primary species
keystone species
secondary species
pioneer species
The first species to inhabit an area that has been disrupted are called pioneer species. This is true in both primary and secondary succession. These pioneer species are hardy species that can withstand harsh conditions.
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