What you’ll learn13 learning objectivesChoose one objective for a focused lesson, or study the complete topic.2.5.1Zonation definition• Changes in community along environmental gradient• Factors: elevation, latitude, tidal level, soil, distance from waterSyllabus objective2.5.2Transect use• Measure biotic and abiotic factors along gradient• Determine variables affecting species distributionSyllabus objective2.5.3Succession definition• Replacement of one community by another over time• Due to biotic and abiotic variable changes• Zonation: spatial; succession: temporalSyllabus objective2.5.4Seral communities• Each sere changes conditions for next community• Competition until stable climax community reached• Example: mosses → soil formation → larger plantsSyllabus objective2.5.5Primary succession• On newly formed substratum without soil• Examples: volcanic rock, retreating glaciers, wind-blown sandSyllabus objective2.5.6Secondary succession• On bare soil with pre-existing community• Examples: abandoned agriculture, post-fire forestSyllabus objective2.5.7Succession changes over time• Energy flow, productivity, species diversity, soil depth, nutrient cyclingSyllabus objective2.5.8Ecosystem disturbance tolerance• Depends on diversity and resilience• Succession increases diversity → resilience and stabilitySyllabus objective2.5.9(HL)—Community development influences• Climatic factors, bedrock, soil properties, geomorphology• Fire, weather events• Top-down influences from consumers (e.g., wolves, elephants)Syllabus objective2.5.10(HL)—Productivity patterns in succession• Early stages: low GP, high NP (biomass accumulating)• Later stages: high GP, NP approaches zero (balanced respiration)Syllabus objective2.5.11(HL)—r- and K-strategist species• r-strategists: many offspring, pioneer communities• K-strategists: few offspring, climax communitiesSyllabus objective2.5.12(HL)—Climax community concept• Challenged and uncertain• Alternative stable states due to random eventsSyllabus objective2.5.13(HL)—Plagioclimax• Human activity diverts succession progression• Examples: removal of carnivores, domesticated livestock grazingSyllabus objective