Biology 2483A Lecture Notes - Distichlis Spicata, Climax Community, Bryozoa
5 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
St helens is located in washington state, as part of the geologically active cascade. Massive volcanic eruption in 1980: this caused an explosive eruption and the largest avalanche in recorded history. New habitats were created devoid of living organisms. Effects of the eruption varied depending on distance from the volcano and habitat type. The scorch zone was an area where fires killed all the trees in the forests but left them standing. Others were in burrows, or under ice-covered lakes, or were plants with underground buds. In many cases, these species were thrust into novel physical environments without time to adapt. Grassy meadows, their preferred habitat, expanded after the eruption. Their burrowing activities facilitated plant succession by bringing organic soil, seeds, and fungal spores to the surface. Newly-formed and isolated ponds were colonized by amphibians much faster than was thought possible.
