Questions on Ecological Succession
Multiple-Choice Questions: Ecological Succession
1. What is ecological succession?
A) Sudden disappearance of a species
B) Gradual change in species composition of an ecosystem over time
C) Rapid growth of a single species
D) Competition between species
E) Migration of animals from one ecosystem to another
2. What type of succession occurs in an area where no life existed before?
A) Secondary succession
B) Primary succession
C) Climax succession
D) Disruptive succession
E) Tertiary succession
3. Which of the following is an example of primary succession?
A) Forest regrowth after a fire
B) Colonization of bare rock after a volcanic eruption
C) Abandoned agricultural field
D) Flooded area recovering
E) Grassland after grazing
4. What type of succession happens after a disturbance in an existing ecosystem?
A) Primary succession
B) Secondary succession
C) Climax succession
D) Autogenic succession
E) Pioneer succession
5. Which of these is a pioneer species in primary succession?
A) Large trees
B) Grasses
C) Mosses and lichens
D) Shrubs
E) Ferns
6. What is the final stable community reached after succession called?
A) Pioneer community
B) Intermediate community
C) Climax community
D) Successional community
E) Transitional community
7. Which factor is NOT important in ecological succession?
A) Soil formation
B) Availability of water
C) Human interference
D) Asteroid impacts
E) Species interactions
8. How does soil formation influence succession?
A) It slows down succession
B) It provides a substrate for plants to grow
C) It stops plant growth
D) It only affects animal species
E) It decreases biodiversity
9. Which process often triggers secondary succession?
A) Volcanic lava flow
B) Wildfires
C) Glacier retreat
D) Formation of new islands
E) Mountain formation
10. What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?
A) Secondary succession occurs without soil
B) Primary succession starts on bare substrate without soil; secondary starts on existing soil
C) Primary succession is faster
D) Secondary succession happens only in deserts
E) Primary succession happens only after fires
11. Which succession stage is characterized by rapid species growth and colonization?
A) Climax stage
B) Pioneer stage
C) Stability stage
D) Decline stage
E) Dormant stage
12. What role do lichens play in succession?
A) They break down rock and help form soil
B) They reduce soil fertility
C) They are top predators
D) They inhibit plant growth
E) They decompose animal matter
13. Which of these statements is TRUE about climax communities?
A) They never change over time
B) They represent the final stable stage in succession
C) They consist only of pioneer species
D) They always include grasses only
E) They are the first stage of succession
14. How can human activities affect ecological succession?
A) They have no effect
B) They always accelerate succession
C) They can either slow, speed up, or reset succession
D) They only affect animals, not plants
E) They only affect aquatic ecosystems
15. What is facilitation in the context of succession?
A) When early species modify the environment making it suitable for later species
B) When species compete aggressively
C) When species prevent colonization by others
D) When animals migrate
E) When species go extinct
16. Which succession type occurs in lakes that gradually fill with sediment and plants?
A) Terrestrial succession
B) Hydrosere
C) Psammosere
D) Xerosere
E) Halosere
17. Which of the following best describes secondary succession?
A) Occurs on newly formed volcanic rock
B) Happens after a forest fire or flood
C) Begins with no soil present
D) Only occurs in deserts
E) Leads directly to urban ecosystems
18. What is an example of a disturbance that can reset succession?
A) Earthquake
B) Gradual climate change
C) Formation of soil
D) Growth of moss
E) Aging of trees
19. What happens to biodiversity during ecological succession?
A) It always decreases
B) It stays the same
C) It often increases as new species colonize
D) It disappears after the pioneer stage
E) It only increases in aquatic systems
20. How long can ecological succession take to reach a climax community?
A) Days
B) Weeks
C) Years to centuries or longer
D) Never; succession stops before climax
E) Only minutes
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Answer Key with Brief Explanations
1. B – Succession is the gradual change in species composition over time.
2. B – Primary succession starts where no life existed before, like bare rock.
3. B – Colonization of bare rock after volcanic eruption is primary succession.
4. B – Secondary succession occurs after disturbances in an existing ecosystem.
5. C – Mosses and lichens are pioneer species that start primary succession.
6. C – Climax community is the final stable stage of succession.
7. D – Asteroid impacts are not a typical factor influencing succession.
8. B – Soil formation provides a medium for plants to establish.
9. B – Wildfires commonly trigger secondary succession.
10. B – Primary succession starts without soil, secondary with existing soil.
11. B – Pioneer stage has rapid colonization and species growth.
12. A – Lichens break down rock and help soil form.
13. B – Climax communities are stable and represent the end of succession.
14. C – Humans can slow, speed, or reset succession depending on the activity.
15. A – Facilitation is when early species improve conditions for others.
16. B – Hydrosere is succession in aquatic environments like lakes.
17. B – Secondary succession happens after disturbances like fires or floods.
18. A – Earthquakes are disturbances that can reset succession.
19. C – Biodiversity often increases as succession proceeds.
20. C – Succession can take years, centuries, or longer to reach climax.
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