Primary Succession Defined Establishment and development of an

Primary Succession • Defined: Establishment and development of an ecosystem in an uninhabited environment • Volcanic lava creates new land • Glaciers retreating exposing new land

Bare Rock • Lava cools and hardens into rock

Pioneer Species • Defined: First organisms to inhabit new land • Moss and lichen grow on bare rock • Dead matter accumulates with rock pieces – Thin soil layer begins to accumulate

The Process Continues • Seeds enter the area and grow • Small flowers & shrubs accumulate more organic matter • With new plants, small animals inhabit the area

The Process Continues • Small trees take root in the accumulated organic matter • More animals use the trees as a habitat

Climax Community • Large trees take root – Overcrowd and out-compete the original smaller trees • New animals inhabit new forests

Secondary Succession • Changes that take place after a disturbance occurs in an established ecosystem – Forest fires, floods, tree falls… • Faster scale (soil preexists)

Kobe Kuiz 1) What are the first organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called? 2) Give examples of the answer to question #1. 3) What are the final organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called? 4) How are new areas of land created? 5) Give a few examples how the process of secondary succession can start. 6) How does primary and secondary succession differ?