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In the case study Surtsey Island, Iceland, what were some pioneer species? How did you know they can be considered to be pioneer species?

In the case study Surtsey Island, Iceland, what were some pioneer species? How did you know they can be considered to be 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
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In the case study Surtsey Island, Iceland, what were some pioneer species? How did you know they can be considered to be pioneer species?

Surtsey Island, Iceland ANNOTATION GUIDE: Highlight details that provide "clues," like events, appearance of different species, etc, that help determine if this case study is an example of primary succession or secondary succession Write comments that explain how these details connect to primary or secondary succession Write a comment on the different species mentioned, stating if they are primary, intermediary, or climax species. Underline and label biotic factors and abiotic factors Additional Resources: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73ueslwOLc Video-based Images: https://vimeo.com/61853885 World Heritage Site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1267/ In 1963, an underwater volcano erupted off of the southern coast of Iceland. Subsequent eruptions continued for several years, eventually creating a new volcanic island that is approximately 500 feet above sea level. As the magma from the eruption cooled and solidified, the new island developed a barren, rocky terrain. This new island, called Surtsey, was at first lifeless. Plants could not grow on the bare rock, thus limiting habitat for new animals that found their way to the island. One of the first colonizers of Surtsey were phytoplankton that surrounded the edges of the island. These phytoplankton attracted fish and eventually birds to begin visiting the outskirts of this new land mass found 32 kilometers of the southern coast of Iceland. Eventually, visiting birds, marine mammals, and wind brought seeds to Surtsey Island. However, without soil, most of these seeds failed to germinate. About five years after the formation of the island, organisms called lichen and some mosses began to grow on the rocky surface. Lichen are formed from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae. Although lichens are not plants, they are able to produce their own food through photosynthesis. Lichen have root-like
Transcribed Image Text:Surtsey Island, Iceland ANNOTATION GUIDE: Highlight details that provide "clues," like events, appearance of different species, etc, that help determine if this case study is an example of primary succession or secondary succession Write comments that explain how these details connect to primary or secondary succession Write a comment on the different species mentioned, stating if they are primary, intermediary, or climax species. Underline and label biotic factors and abiotic factors Additional Resources: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73ueslwOLc Video-based Images: https://vimeo.com/61853885 World Heritage Site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1267/ In 1963, an underwater volcano erupted off of the southern coast of Iceland. Subsequent eruptions continued for several years, eventually creating a new volcanic island that is approximately 500 feet above sea level. As the magma from the eruption cooled and solidified, the new island developed a barren, rocky terrain. This new island, called Surtsey, was at first lifeless. Plants could not grow on the bare rock, thus limiting habitat for new animals that found their way to the island. One of the first colonizers of Surtsey were phytoplankton that surrounded the edges of the island. These phytoplankton attracted fish and eventually birds to begin visiting the outskirts of this new land mass found 32 kilometers of the southern coast of Iceland. Eventually, visiting birds, marine mammals, and wind brought seeds to Surtsey Island. However, without soil, most of these seeds failed to germinate. About five years after the formation of the island, organisms called lichen and some mosses began to grow on the rocky surface. Lichen are formed from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae. Although lichens are not plants, they are able to produce their own food through photosynthesis. Lichen have root-like
filaments that are able to attach to, and break down, bare rock to extract nutrients. Over time, the action of the lichen on Surtsey created a thin layer of soil. As soil began to accumulate on the island, small grass-like plants started to grow providing some shelter for nesting birds. Additionally, grasses and plants provided habitat for insects, which began to establish themselves after being brought to the island through the action of waves, wind, and birds. As the small plants and lichen died and decomposed, the amount and quality of the soil on the island began to increase. Approximately thirty years after the formation of Surtsey, the first bush was seen growing on the island, a tea-leaved willow. As the grasses and small bushes continued to grow, they often out-competed the founding lichen and dominated some areas of the island. As these plants lived and eventually died, they also decomposed contributing to the developing soil. By 2008, almost seventy species of plants were found on Surtsey, along with thriving insect populations (including spiders) and several colonies of nesting seabirds. The emergence of Surtsey island has provided a unique opportunity for scientists to observe how ecosystems develop and change over time.
Transcribed Image Text:filaments that are able to attach to, and break down, bare rock to extract nutrients. Over time, the action of the lichen on Surtsey created a thin layer of soil. As soil began to accumulate on the island, small grass-like plants started to grow providing some shelter for nesting birds. Additionally, grasses and plants provided habitat for insects, which began to establish themselves after being brought to the island through the action of waves, wind, and birds. As the small plants and lichen died and decomposed, the amount and quality of the soil on the island began to increase. Approximately thirty years after the formation of Surtsey, the first bush was seen growing on the island, a tea-leaved willow. As the grasses and small bushes continued to grow, they often out-competed the founding lichen and dominated some areas of the island. As these plants lived and eventually died, they also decomposed contributing to the developing soil. By 2008, almost seventy species of plants were found on Surtsey, along with thriving insect populations (including spiders) and several colonies of nesting seabirds. The emergence of Surtsey island has provided a unique opportunity for scientists to observe how ecosystems develop and change over time.
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