Events that change a community Can alter resources Can destroy or remove organisms

The ability of a community to resist disturbances The greater the biodiversity, the greater the stability

Gradual sequential changes of a community Can be primary or secondary

The start of a community in a place where there was no life Examples: a new island forms or a volcanic eruption covers a community with lava

Pioneer species are small, hardy, and grow quickly Primary succession is a very slow process!

Occurs after a disturbance, either natural or man-made

This type of succession is much faster. It may only take 100 years in some cases.

The stable endpoint of succession There is very little change