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1. Pioneer species start colonization (R selected, harsh conditions) (primary succession)

2. The conditions become better and more species can live (can still be r selected)

3. The conditions are enough for K-selected species to live (climax community)

4. Climax species thrive until there is another disturbance (secondary succession)

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“Nature is not fragile … what is fragile are the ecosystems services on which humans depend"

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“Nature is not fragile … what is fragile are the ecosystems services on which humans depend"

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This means that nature is not fragile, but the ecosystem services (clean air and water, fertile soil, pollination, flood control) that we DEPEND on are fragile.

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Note that succession can take hundreds of years.

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Diversity is KEY to ecosystem resilience and stability

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is Similar to primary succession but it develops more quickly

1. Fungi, moss, and willows (pioneer species) start to grow (R selective)

2. Soon grasses start growing

3. Shrubs replace grasses

4. Fast-growing trees start appearing

5. Slow-growing trees (k) start to form climax communities

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Ecological succession is when an ecosystem develops and changes over time. This is a complex process. There are two types of succession: Primary and Secondary. Primary succession is where there is a new colonization of rock from receding glaciers, cooling lava, or more. Secondary succession is where the land was previously colonized and was disturbed. This could happen due to floods, or a forest fire.

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most commonly the climax species

slower growth rates

less reproduction

higher mortality rates

more of a competitive advantage

less offspring

reproduces much less often

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could be pioneer species

faster growth rates

more reproduction

less of a competitive advantage

can reproduce more often

more offspring

lower mortality rate (too many competing for the same resources)

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mice

most bacteria

fungi

frogs

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Elephants

bison

humans

Whales

Horses

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Succession promotes R selected species at first, because there is little competition which lets them grow quickly. Later on, K selected become more dominant as they live longer and have a bigger competitive advantage in their natural selection.

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Succession first promotes pioneer species that make abiotic conditions more liveable. (Lichen breaking down rock into its minerals, slowly creating soil) This paves the way for other species to arrive and outcompete them. (slowly flowing toward K). This promotes diversity. adding more diversity increases competition for the same resources and prey

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Secondary

Possibly has soil or dirt

Plants like grass, trees, and plants already develop

Organisms have already lived there

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Lava creating new landforms

New sand being deposited on a shore

Glaciers retreat leaving exposed rock

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Flood

Wildfire

Harvests

Logging

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Note: human impacts are called anthropogenic factors.

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Humans impacting the natural change of ecosystems = "Human-Induced Environmental Change." Humans are also degrading the social and environmental stability of ecosystems (climate change, forest fires, logging)
We are changing PULSE disturbances (once in a while) like natural wildfires, selective logging (only a few trees) into CHRONIC disturbances (always happen, natural)

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“Online Textbook.” Annenberg Learner, 22 Aug. 2019, https://www.learner.org/series/the-habitable-planet-a-systems-approach-to-environmental-science/ecosystems/online-textbook/.

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Elmqvist, Thomas, Folke, Carl, Nyström, Magnus, Peterson, Garry, Bengtsson, Jan, Walker, Brian, Norberg, Jon. "Frontiers in Ecology and The Environment” Response Diversity, Ecosystem Change, and Resilience. 01, November 2003 Volume 1 No. 9 Accessed 06, March 2023.

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Witynski, Max. "Ecological Succession, Explained." University of Chicago News https://news.uchicago.edu/explainer/what-is-ecological-succession Accessed 07, March 2023

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“Ecological Succession.” StudySmarter US, https://www.studysmarter.us/explanations/environmental-science/living-environment/ecological-succession/.

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How does science restore the diversity to areas where human activity that has interfered with the natural structure of a habitat/ecosystem?

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How does science restore the diversity to areas where human activity that has interfered with the natural structure of a habitat/ecosystem?

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Science restores the diversity where human activity has interfered. When humans interfere with the natural ecosystem, they cause secondary succession. This succession then promotes diversity over many years. Science restores the diversity by naturally changing the ecosystem.

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Primary

Starts on rock (no previous conditions, abiotic)

Soil needs to develop first

Pioneer species are lichen and moss

No previous life