Ecological Succession Overview

Succession Overview

• Ecological Succession: Sequence of changes in an ecosystem after a disturbance.
  • Primary Succession: Initial colonization of bare areas (e.g., caused by volcanic activity).
  • Secondary Succession: Recolonization after disturbance (e.g., fires, hurricanes).

Key Terms

• Pioneer Species: First organisms to colonize an area.
• Climax Community: Most stable community achieved after ecological succession.
• Disturbance: Disruption of climax community (e.g., natural disasters).

Primary Succession

• Starts on bare rock.
• Increases biodiversity.
• Producers (e.g., lichens) arrive first.
• Occurs in rare cases.

Secondary Succession

• Starts in areas with soil.
• Happens after events like forest fires.
• Also increases biodiversity.
• Grass may be pioneer species.
• Typically occurs at a faster rate than primary succession.

Comparison of Succession

• Primary Succession: Begins on bare rock, occurs slowly, ends in climax community.
• Secondary Succession: Begins after a disturbance on soil, generally quicker, also leads to climax community.