Succession Primary Succession The establishment and development of

Succession

Primary Succession • The establishment and development of an ecosystem in an area that was previously uninhabited Lichens and mosses Grasses And small shrubs Large shrubs and small trees Large trees

Surtsey: A Case Study • The island of Surtsey formed by volcanic eruption off of the coast of Iceland during the period from 1963 - 1967

Surtsey – Post Eruption

Surtsey Today

Secondary Succession • The recovery of a damaged ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact Fireweed Sequoia seedling

Case Study: Yellowstone National Park 1988 – Devastating forest fires burn much of Yellowstone National Park. Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park 1988 – Park map showing areas (1. 6 million acres) burned by the series of fires.

Yellowstone National Park 1988 fires – The immediate aftermath. Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park • One year after the fires • Note the appearance of fireweed Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park • Ten years after the fires (1998) Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park • Twenty years after the fires (2008)

Case Study - Chernobyl • In April, 1986, a nuclear power plant in the former USSR experienced a core meltdown and a catastrophic release of radioactivity into the environment.

Chernobyl • Surrounding towns and villages had to be immediately, permanently abandoned.

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later Pripyat town square.

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later Pripyat Soccer Stadium opened in 1986.

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later A local highway.