Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession Ecological Succession – the process by which an existing community is slowly replaced by another community

Dominant Species Dominant Species – the species that exerts the greatest effects on the environment and on other members of the community

Pioneer Organisms Pioneer Organisms – the first organisms to live in an area Ex. bacteria, fungi, grass, lichens

Climax Community Climax Community – a mature, stable community that is the final stage of ecological succession

Primary Succession Primary Succession – when succession occurs in an area that has no existing life or becomes a new community for the first time. Ex. Lichens growing on a bare rock Ex. An aquatic community becomes a terrestrial community

Secondary Succession Secondary Succession – succession that occurs in an area in which an existing community has been partially destroyed and its balance upset Ex. A forest fire partially burns a forest down and it takes 20 years to get the forest back to a climax community