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. What is primary succession? 2. What makes lichens good pioneer species?

. What is primary succession? 2. What makes lichens good pioneer species?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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1. What is primary succession?

2. What makes lichens good pioneer species?

 

Sometimes, a small community starts to grow in an area where living things have never grown before. The area is only bare rock and there is no soil. Over a very long time, a community can develop. The change from bare rock to a community of organisms is called primary succession. Lichens (pronounced LY-KEN) are pioneer species on bare rock. A lichen's structure allows it to function on bare rock. Lichens don't have roots, and they get their water from the air. This means they do not need soil. Most other organisms, however, cannot move into the area without soil. Lichens produce acid that breaks down the rock they are living on. The rock particles, mixed with the remains of dead lichens, become the first soil. Lichens are considered pioneer species because they are the first to live and grow in an area. After many years, there is enough soil for mosses to grow. The mosses eventually replace the lichens. Tiny organisms and insects begin to live there. When they die, their remains add to the soil. Over time, the soil gets deeper, and ferns replace mosses. The ferns may be replaced later by grasses & wildflowers. If there is enough soil, shrubs & small trees may grow. After hundreds of years, the soil may be deep enough and rich enough to support a forest community. At this point, the community is the most stable, which is also known as the climax community. Remember that a community is made up of all the living things in an area. It includes the plants that can live with the abiotic factors there at the time. It also includes the animals that can use the resources there at the time. When the abiotic factors and resources change, so does the community. For example, a population of cottontail rabbits will get bigger as more small plants grow in the soil over the rock. Later, there will be fewer small plants, when more trees grow and block the sun. Then, there will be fewer rabbits. However, the populations of animals that need trees, such as squirrels, will increase.
Transcribed Image Text:Sometimes, a small community starts to grow in an area where living things have never grown before. The area is only bare rock and there is no soil. Over a very long time, a community can develop. The change from bare rock to a community of organisms is called primary succession. Lichens (pronounced LY-KEN) are pioneer species on bare rock. A lichen's structure allows it to function on bare rock. Lichens don't have roots, and they get their water from the air. This means they do not need soil. Most other organisms, however, cannot move into the area without soil. Lichens produce acid that breaks down the rock they are living on. The rock particles, mixed with the remains of dead lichens, become the first soil. Lichens are considered pioneer species because they are the first to live and grow in an area. After many years, there is enough soil for mosses to grow. The mosses eventually replace the lichens. Tiny organisms and insects begin to live there. When they die, their remains add to the soil. Over time, the soil gets deeper, and ferns replace mosses. The ferns may be replaced later by grasses & wildflowers. If there is enough soil, shrubs & small trees may grow. After hundreds of years, the soil may be deep enough and rich enough to support a forest community. At this point, the community is the most stable, which is also known as the climax community. Remember that a community is made up of all the living things in an area. It includes the plants that can live with the abiotic factors there at the time. It also includes the animals that can use the resources there at the time. When the abiotic factors and resources change, so does the community. For example, a population of cottontail rabbits will get bigger as more small plants grow in the soil over the rock. Later, there will be fewer small plants, when more trees grow and block the sun. Then, there will be fewer rabbits. However, the populations of animals that need trees, such as squirrels, will increase.
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