Ecological Succession

Succession

• Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in area
• Gradual replacement of one plant community by another through natural processes

2 types of Succession

• Primary
• Seconday

Primary Succession

• Begins in a place without soil
• Sides of volcanoes, landslides, flooding

Primary Succession

Pioneer Species

• Appear at the start of Primary Succession
• Lichens and algae grow on rocks- no solid needed
• Capable of surviving extreme conditions

Simple Plants Grow

• Ferns and mosses begin to grow
• Add organic material to soil when die, thickening the soil layers
• Wildflowers and other small plants can grow

Shrubs and trees appear

• Grasses and wildflowers add more organic material to the soil and create thicker layers
• Insects, small birds and mammals move in creating an ecosystem

Secondary Succession

• Begins in a place that already has soil and living organisms
• Faster than primary succession
• Pioneer organisms are different

Examples

• Forest Fires, deforestation, disease wipes out plant life

Climax Community

• End result of the succession process
• Stable ecosystem of plants and animals
• Examples: Grasses in prairies, cacti in dessert, oak forests