Activity 6: Succession in Communities
Ask the students if all forest fires are bad. Students may not know that some
forest plants require intense heat from fires for their seeds to germinate.
It is only through forest fires that plants will get their much-needed nutrients
from the ashes that are produced. It also ensures them enough sunlight since
the fire destroys the plants that block the Sun.
You can discuss with the students how rocks are broken down into soil.
Rocks are broken down by lichens and plants that release acids that eventually dissolve the rock minerals. With the production of carbon dioxide and water
during cellular respiration, carbonic acid is produced.
Secondary succession occurs after a volcanic eruption. A community was already
in existence before the eruption. Soil is still present underneath the ashes.
You may show a video on the Mt. St. Helens eruption and its recovery. |