Succession

Primary Succession The establishment and development of an ecosystem in an area that was previously uninhabited Lichens and mosses Grasses And small shrubs Large shrubs and small trees Large trees

Surtsey: A Case Study The island of Surtsey formed by volcanic eruption off of the coast of Iceland during the period from 1963 - 1967

Surtsey – Post Eruption

Surtsey Today

Secondary Succession The recovery of a damaged ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact Fireweed Sequoia seedling

Case Study: Yellowstone National Park 1988 – Devastating forest fires burn much of Yellowstone National Park. Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park 1988 – Park map showing areas (1.6 million acres) burned by the series of fires.

Yellowstone National Park 1988 fires – The immediate aftermath. Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park One year after the fires Note the appearance of fireweed Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park Ten years after the fires (1998) Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park Twenty years after the fires (2008)

Case Study - Chernobyl In April, 1986, a nuclear power plant in the former USSR experienced a core meltdown and a catastrophic release of radioactivity into the environment.

Chernobyl Surrounding towns and villages had to be immediately, permanently abandoned.

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later Pripyat town square.

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later Pripyat Soccer Stadium opened in 1986.

Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later A local highway.