ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

Ecological Succession

Is a gradual process of change and replacement of the types of species in a community.Could take hundreds or thousands of years

Primary Succession

This occurs on a surface where no ecosystem existed beforeExamples: rocks, cliffs, sand dunes

Primary Succession

Lichens – fungus and algae that live on bare rock and break it down, eventually creating soil

Grasses – makes soil more rich for next organisms

Shrubs Pine trees Deciduous trees

Secondary Succession...

This occurs on a surface where an ecosystem has previously existed, but has been disturbed or disrupted by humans, animals or natural disaster

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Pioneer species – the first organisms to colonize any newly available area and begin succession

Climax community – when the community is finally stable

2 Other Types

Aquatic Succession – as time goes on in a lake or pond it becomes smaller and less deep filling with plant and animal life and will eventually look like a marshy area

Island Succession – primary succession but its unique!Organisms usually arrive by water, wind or

carried by other organisms