Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

A series of gradual changes that occur in a community following a disturbance

Primary Succession

Succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists

Secondary Succession

Succession that reestablishes a damaged ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact

Volcanic rock

Melted Glacier

Where does primary succession occur?

Primary Succession (time)

What succession takes a long period of time?

Pioneer Species

The first species to colonize ecosystems and begin succession

Lichen and Mosses

What are the pioneer species in primary succession?

Climax Community

A stable, mature community of plants and animals

Forest Fire

Hurricane

Tornado

Flood

What causes secondary succession?

Secondary Succession (time)

What type of succession takes a shorter period of time?

Weeds and grasses

What are the pioneer species in secondary succession?

Bioaccumulation

An increased concentration of a chemical within an organism over time

Biomagnification

accumulation of pollutants as they are passed to different levels of the food chain

The bird (oprey)

What level has the highest concentration of toxins in the food web?