Question

The diagram above shows the succession of communities from annual plants to hardwood trees in a specific area over a period of time.
(a) Describe and explain THREE abiotic conditions that can be found in the diagram above.
(b) For each of the following disturbances, discuss the immediate and long-term effects on ecosystem succession.
i) A volcano erupts, covering a 10-square-kilometer portion of a mature forest with lava.
(ii) A 10- square-kilometer portion of a mature forest is clear-cut.

Answer 1

I.biodiversity increasesii.plant stratificationiii.more niches formedb.Describe and explain three changes in abiotic conditions over time that lead to the succession, as shown in the diagram above.i.better soil quality bc soil gains organic matter from decomposed plantsii.more nitrogen available from decomposition and nitrogen fixationiii.decrease in light caused by shading inhibits shorter plantsc.For each of the following disturbances, discuss the immediate and long-term effects on ecosystem succession.i.A volcano erupts, covering a 10-square-kilometer portion of a mature forest with lava.1.immediate: primary succession