Ecological Succession

What are the first living organisms in an area called?

Pioneer Species

1) Ecological Succession

The pioneer species that colonise must be adapted to the abiotic conditions which are extreme, like strong winds, or higher temps

2) Ecological Succession

As time passes, pioneer species change the habitat and make it suitable for other species

3) Ecological Succession

New colonisers may then out compete the pioneer species which have become less dominant and will eventually die out

4) Ecological Succession

New colonisers can also change the conditions, making the habitat further suitable for colonisation

5) Ecological Succession

The abiotic conditions become less extreme, and the adaptations that are needed for survival are increasingly based on biotic factors and inter-species relationships

6) Ecological Succession

The sequence of new species colonising, thriving, then dying out, continues until a final community of species develops which remains dominant.

7) Ecological Succession

They remain dominant as long as a the climate does not change

8) Ecological Succession

The dominant community of species are called the climax community.

What is deflected succession?

Natural ecological succession is stopped by human actions. Long-term continuation of the actions that deflect succession will create a plagioclimax.

What is secondary succession?

Ecological succession that takes place in an area where the existing climax community has been disturbed or destroyed.

What are plagioclimax communities?

A community of species that does not develop to a natural climatic climax community, but is maintained by external influences which prevent this, including human activities such as burning, grazing or ploughing.

Methods of maintaining plagioclimax communities:

• Grazing

• Mowing

• Burning

• Coppicing

• Pollarding