Succession and Ecosystem Study
In this laboratory we will be traveling to various parts of Ridley Creek State
Park. The objective is to photograph several different natural ecosystems and
determine the stage of succession of that ecosystem.
(20 points)
Materials
Cameras or iPads
Notebook
Field guides
Field procedures
1) Photograph 10 separate ecosystems in the park with a digital camera.
2) Make notes in your laboratory books regarding each photograph in the
following areas:
A) Location (refer to park map)
B) General description of the area
C) Dominate types of vegetation
D) Stage of succession
E) Any sign of the last disturbance and type of disturbance
F) A list of physical factors that have the greatest influence in that area
G) Features specific to that site ex. standing water
H) A prediction of what this area will look like in 10 years
Conclusions
Create a slide show presentation of each of the photographs with a paragraph
including your field note. In addition point out features that highlight this
stage.
Succession (pgs 155 – 158)
Terminology
Ecological succession
Primary succession
Secondary succession
Facilitation
Pioneer species
Mid successional species
Late successional species
Disturbance
Climax community
1. Explain why primary succession is often an uncommon occurrence.
2. Describe the difference between natural and human based disturbances. List
examples of each
3. What does the intermediate disturbance hypothesis state?
4. Why is the term “balance of nature’ an inappropriate term in regards to
succession?