Primary Succession Defined: Establishment and development of an ecosystem in an uninhabited environment Volcanic lava creates new land Glaciers retreating exposing new land

Bare Rock Lava cools and hardens into rock

Pioneer Species Defined: First organisms to inhabit new land Moss and lichen grow on bare rock Dead matter accumulates with rock pieces –Thin soil layer begins to accumulate

The Process Continues Seeds enter the area and grow Small flowers & shrubs accumulate more organic matter With new plants, small animals inhabit the area

The Process Continues Small trees take root in the accumulated organic matter More animals use the trees as a habitat

Climax Community Large trees take root –Overcrowd and out-compete the original smaller trees New animals inhabit new forests

Secondary Succession Changes that take place after a disturbance occurs in an established ecosystem –Forest fires, floods, tree falls… Faster scale (soil preexists)

review 1)What are the first organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called? 2)Give examples of the answer to question #1. 3)What are the final organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called? 4)How are new areas of land created? 5)Give a few examples how the process of secondary succession can start. 6)How does primary and secondary succession differ?