Primary and Secondary Succession in America's Forests
Grade Level: 9-12

Summary: One of the basic concepts students learn in Ecology or Environmental Science is succession, which is the regular pattern of changes in the types of species in a community. While people tend to think of forests as static, they are constantly changing over time. In this activity, students will have an opportunity to experience video footage that will take them to several different North American Forests while learning about the concepts associated with succession in both natural and disturbed environments.

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Activity 1:
Whoose Woods Are These

Students play a version of a 20 Questions game to become familiar with the features and organisms of the forest.

Featured video clips in this activity:

Kentucky's Blanton Forest - Part 1 Blanton Forest, the largest old-growth forest in Kentucky, provides a glimpse into a forest ecosystem that has remained untouched by humans.

Northwest Temperate Rain Forests - Part 1 Temperate rain forests are characterized by high annual rainfall and relatively mild winters, creating an environment with a rich diversity of species.

Northwest Temperate Rain Forests - Part 2 The diversity of the plants and animals in a temperate rain forest changes dramatically from the forest floor to the forest canopy.

Activity 2:

Which Came First?
Students learn about the concepts of primary and secondary succession and illustrate an example of primary succession after a volcanic eruption.

Featured video clips in this activity:

Kentucky's Blanton Forest - Part 2 Blanton Forest, the largest old-growth forest in Kentucky, provides a glimpse into a forest ecosystem that has remained untouched by humans.

Crater Lake National Park - Pine Forests The area leading up to the Crater Lake rim is characterized by ponderosa pine forests and volcanic pumice fields.

Activity 3:

Succession Field Trip
Take a field trip in your community to observe and classify examples of primary and secondary succession.