ecological succession

honors bio mdchs

ecological succession

the process where plants and animals of a particular area are replaced by more complex species over time

primary succession

occurs in areas where no ecosystem or biological activity has existed previously (without any soil)

secondary succession

pattern of change in areas where biological activity has previously existed; already has soil/had organisms.

stage 1

pioneer species

starts with an organism that does not need soil to survive

stage 2

mosses and ferns

simple plants grow in the new soil

stage 3

grasses

the simple plants die as soil thickens. grasses and wildflowers take over.

stage 4

shrubs

bushes and small pinewood trees (pines, aspens)

stage 5

large hardwoods

large trees dominate the community (oaks, maple)

climax communities

successful high density ecosystem of long-lived plant species