Ecological Succession

Ecological succession Primary Succession – is the gradual growth of plant life in areas that are devoid of vegetation and soil. e.g. after lava flow or melting of a glacier Secondary Succession – is the regrowth of plant life in areas that previously had vegetation and soil. e.g. after floods, fire, hurricanes

Ecological succession The sequence of community changes after a disturbance – transition in species composition over ecological time (years/decades) Mt. St. Helens Deforestation Fire

Disturbances Disturbances are often necessary for community development & survival

Secondary Succession 1st - Devastation 1. pioneer species = mosses & lichens (= fungus+algae) 2. Grasses (& Ferns)

3. Weeds 4. Shrubs & Trees 5. Climax Trees

Synthesize your own scenario Create three sequential communities (an original community, a resulting community after some abiotic factor has caused devastation, and then a community that have recovered as a result of ecological session Original Community Devastated Community Community bouncing back _________________ Devastated by ________ After how many years? ____