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