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Let's explore how bare rock becomes a thriving ecosystem! Primary succession begins with pioneer species like lichens and moss breaking down rock to form soil. This process takes hundreds or even thousands of years. Think about Mt. St. Helens after its eruption - it's a perfect example of primary succession.

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Much faster than primary succession, secondary succession occurs in areas where an ecosystem previously existed- from abandoned farmland to grassland to forest.

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In nature, populations can't grow forever - resources are limited! This S-shaped curve shows how populations level off at carrying capacity.

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Think of carrying capacity as nature's 'no vacancy' sign! It's the maximum population size that can be sustained in an environment with available resources.

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Notice how predator populations follow prey populations with a slight delay? When prey numbers increase, predator numbers follow. When predators become too numerous, prey decreases, leading to predator decline.

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The Canadian lynx and snowshoe hare cycle is a perfect demonstration of predator-prey relationships. The data collected by Hudson's Bay Company fur traders shows these beautiful cycles clearly.

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These factors hit harder as population density increases - think disease, competition, and predation. Population size maters!

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Natural disasters, weather changes, and human activities affect populations regardless of their density. Climate change is a perfect modern example - it affects populations whether they're large or small.

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Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance. Removing a keystone species can significantly alter the structure and function of that environment.

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Pioneer species are the first to colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, initiating an ecological restoration or primary succession. Common examples include lichens, mosses, and some types of fungi.