Succession in Ecosystems

Succession A series of changes in a community in which new populations of organisms gradually replace existing ones Two types: primary succession secondary succession

Primary succession- colonization of new sites by communities of organisms takes place on bare rock where no life had existed before

Example: volcanic lava flow cools and forms rock Glaciers retreat and expose rock

Pioneer organisms - the first organisms to colonize a new site Ex: lichens are the first to colonize lava rocks

Climax community- a stable, mature community that undergoes little or no succession ex. In most of Maryland, the climax community would be a deciduous forest

Your turn Draw and label an example of primary succession. Starting with a bare rock

Primary succession-

Secondary succession sequence of community changes that takes place when a community is disrupted by natural disaster or human actions takes place on existing soil

Example: A fire levels portions of a forest A farmer plows his field

Your turn Draw and label an example of secondary succession. Starting with a forest fire

Secondary succession-

Pond Succession