Ecological Succession The series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time.

Primary Succession: Development of a plant community on a bare surface Fresh rock surface after landslide New lake after dam construction Volcanic eruption

Primary Succession http://www.biology.eku.edu/RITCHISO/primarysuccession.jpg

Secondary Succession Development of a plant community following disturbance Abandoned fields Timber harvest Fire Windstorm Flooding

Secondary Succession http://www.biology.eku.edu/RITCHISO/secondarysuccession.jpg

Pioneer Stage - first plants that come into community –easy to grow with minimal nutrients Weeds, wildflowers, grasses Eutrophication – process of adding nutrients to community. A few plants can now catch onto soil.

Early / Mid / Late Seral Stages – Replace each other by creating conditions that are unfavorable to the present stage and favorable to the next stage Shrubs and small trees

Climax Stage – Final stage – will not be replaced by any other communities Oak/Hickory forests