ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION (pp. 63 – 64 and 94 – 95)

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION Succession – a series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time. Can be the result of: 1. slow changes in the physical environment OR 2. a sudden disturbance from human activities

Primary succession: succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists Example: islands formed from volcanic eruptions or bare rock exposed when glaciers melt Pioneer species: first species to populate an area Example: lichens on volcanic rock

B. Secondary succession – succession that occurs when some kind of disturbance changes an existing community without removing the soil Example: clear cutting forests, wildfires

Exploring Time Gallery Display