Ecological Succession Primary vs Secondary Succession Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession Primary vs. Secondary Succession

Ecological Succession • Ecological succession is a series of predictable changes that occur in a community over long periods of time.

Primary Succession • Primary succession occurs in an area where there was no prior life. Rock Cooled Exposed Rocky Lava from Cliffs Flows Glacial Melt

Pioneer Species • The first species to inhabit bare rocky surfaces and begin primary succession are called “Pioneer Species”. Lichen (like-in) are a pioneer species. Lichen is a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus and algae. The fungus dissolves the rock to release nutrients. The algae creates sugar.

Primary Succession Continues as shrubs thenasfast • Succession As moss layersgrows ofcontinues pioneer and dies species the amount such lichen ofgrowing soildie and a thinlike nutrients layer increases of soil forms allowing which grass is enough andbysmall for trees pines begin to grow followed slow moss totohardwoods plants growing like oak, hickory and maple

Climax Community • Succession continues until a mature, stable community is established. This is called a “climax community”. The climax community in the northeast is a hardwood deciduous forest

Secondary Succession • Secondary succession occurs in an area when a disturbance destroys the plant life but the soil remains so growth can occur faster. Land Clear Forest Cleared Cutting Fire a for Forest Farming Lumber