beavers built a dam in a river causing an area to flood. the trees rotted and died and fell into the water. the trees in the water created a bog mat, then someother type of grass things fell to the bottom of the river which caused moss and in the end the trees grew back drying up the river so would this be a primary succession or a secondary succession and why? this has got me so confused hope you can help or at least lead me in the right direction. thanks
It looks like it should be secondary successin -- but study this site carefully to understand the process.
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/succession.htm
Based on the description you've provided, this scenario would be an example of secondary succession. Allow me to explain why.
Succession refers to the process of ecological change in an area over time. Primary succession occurs in areas that are devoid of life, such as bare rock or newly formed volcanic islands. In primary succession, organisms colonize these barren areas and gradually create the conditions necessary for more complex communities to develop. This process can take a long time, often starting with pioneer species like lichens and mosses.
On the other hand, secondary succession occurs in areas where an existing ecosystem has been disturbed or destroyed, but the soil or substrate remains intact. In your scenario, the beavers built a dam that caused the flooding, leading to the death of trees in the area. This represents the disturbance. However, the soil was not significantly affected, allowing for the regeneration and regrowth of vegetation.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of why this scenario is an example of secondary succession:
1. The beavers built a dam, causing flooding.
2. The flooded area caused the trees to rot and die.
3. The fallen trees created a bog mat, providing a substrate for new plant growth.
4. Other types of grasses or plants fell into the water, contributing to the growth of moss.
5. Over time, the moss and plant growth helped to stabilize the area and trap sediment, allowing for the growth of other plant species.
6. Eventually, the trees grew back and "dried up" the river, indicating that the ecosystem has reached a more mature and stable state.
Overall, secondary succession occurs when an area is disturbed, but the existing soil or substrate remains intact, allowing for the regeneration of plant life and a gradual transition back to a more stable ecosystem.