Q: Fully describe the stages of succession if your school and surrounding area were to completely burn down. (11D)

A: If a fire were to destroy the school and surrounding community we would go through whats called secondary succession. This is when a disturbance of some kind changes an existing community without removing the soil, then secondary succession can follow. It also occurs when wildfires burn woodlands. For example, wildfires in Yellowstone National Park in 1988 led to secondary succession after the fires. Fires set by lightning occur naturally in many ecosystems. Certain plants have adapted to a regular cycle of fire and regrowth. Their seeds will not sprout unless exposed to fire. First we would basically have a field of ashes and seared trees, but over time small plants would emerge from dispersion of seeds by wind and animals that track though the area. Soon enough you have small trees and patches of grass popping up all over the place!