Question 1

Which of the following best describes primary succession?

Accepted Answer

It occurs on newly exposed geological substrates without any pre-existing soil.

Question 2

During succession, which of the following patterns is most commonly observed in species richness?

Accepted Answer

Species richness increases rapidly at first, then levels off as the community approaches climax.

Question 3

Which mechanism of succession involves early colonizers making the environment less suitable for both themselves and later successional species?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition

Question 4

A volcanic eruption covers an area with lava, destroying all plant life and leaving only bare rock. Which type of succession will occur, and which pioneer species are most likely to colonize first?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession; mosses and lichens

Question 5

Which of the following is a characteristic of late successional plant species compared to early successional species?

Accepted Answer

They are better competitors over time.

Question 6

In the context of ecosystem changes during succession, which of the following variables typically increases as succession proceeds?

Accepted Answer

Biomass, primary production, and nutrient retention

Question 7

Which of the following best defines ecosystem resistance?

Accepted Answer

The ability to maintain structure and function in the face of potential disturbance

Question 8

A forest is cleared by fire, but the soil remains intact. Over the next decades, the area is recolonized by plants whose seeds were present in the soil. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Secondary succession

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the Park Grass Experiment in England is correct?

Accepted Answer

Stability can appear different depending on the scale of measurement (e.g., whole meadow vs. individual species).

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of the facilitation model of succession?

Accepted Answer

Pioneer species modify the environment, making it more suitable for later successional species.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a likely abiotic factor influencing the mechanisms of succession?

Accepted Answer

Genetic diversity of animal populations

Question 12

In the inhibition model of succession, what is a common strategy used by early successional plants to prevent colonization by later species?

Accepted Answer

Release of allelopathic chemicals

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the climax community in ecological succession?

Accepted Answer

A late successional community that remains stable until disrupted by disturbance

Question 14

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the tolerance model of succession?

Accepted Answer

Both pioneer and later successional species can colonize the area independently, and early species do not facilitate or inhibit later species.

Question 15

After a glacier retreats, the area is colonized by mosses and lichens, followed by shrubs and trees over centuries. Which of the following best explains why this process takes much longer than succession in intertidal communities?

Accepted Answer

Soil formation and nutrient accumulation are much slower on newly exposed rock.

Question 16

Which of the following is true regarding the recovery of nutrient retention following disturbance in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Nutrient retention increases as succession proceeds and plant biomass increases.

Question 17

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between net primary production (NPP), gross primary production (GPP), and respiration (R) during succession?

Accepted Answer

$$NPP = GPP - R$$

Question 18

Which of the following statements about community and ecosystem stability is supported by long-term experiments?

Accepted Answer

Stability is scale-dependent and may vary at different spatial or temporal scales.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes resilience in an ecological context?

Accepted Answer

The ability of a community or ecosystem to recover after a disturbance

Question 20

A researcher observes that after a severe flood, a stream community in Arizona quickly returns to its pre-flood species composition and biomass. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

High resilience

Ch 20: Succession and Stability in Ecological Communities and Ecosystems

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