Activity 6: Biology to Go

1. Succession is the slow and orderly replacement of a community.

2. The difference between primary succession and secondary succession lies in the existence or non-existence of vegetation cover before the disaster occurred. If the area was not previously covered with vegetation, then it is primary succession. If the area was previously covered with vegetation, then it is secondary succession.

3. The intermediate stages would support a greater number and diversity of organisms than the pioneer community. Between the pioneer community and the climax community are seral stages or intermediate stages. As the pioneer stage gives way to a seral stage and to another seral stage, more complex relationships like competition and predation are created. New niches are formed resulting in more species diversity.

4. Plants transpire and in the process lose water into the atmosphere. They take in carbon dioxide that is used for photosynthesis. They also absorb radiation from the Sun. These result in a moderate temperature and help maintain a stable climate.

5. Human-caused fires destroy thousands of forest acres. One solution to this disaster is secondary succession. Deforestation for agricultural purposes can also be solved by secondary succession.