Ecological Succession Life Science

Break the words down Ecological Ecological Like “ecology”, “ecosystem” Like “ecology”, “ecosystem” Living and nonliving things in an environment Living and nonliving things in an environment Succession Succession Like “success” Like “success” Process Process It takes a long time It takes a long time It involves change and growth It involves change and growth

Primary Succession Primary = first, beginning Primary = first, beginning Happens in a place with no dirt Happens in a place with no dirt Lichens make dirt Lichens make dirt Small plants grow Small plants grow Small animals live there Small animals live there Example: after a volcano erupts Example: after a volcano erupts

Primary Succession Lichens Volcano Small Plants

Pioneer Community Small plants and animals Small plants and animals Simple plants and animals Simple plants and animals Strong plants and animals Strong plants and animals Do not need a lot of water and food Do not need a lot of water and food Food Chains Food Chains

Pioneer Community Small, simple, strong plants. Some have flowers.

Secondary Succession Secondary = second Secondary = second Happens in a place where there is dirt Happens in a place where there is dirt Small plants are growing Small plants are growing Small animals live there Small animals live there Plants get bigger Plants get bigger More animals come More animals come Example: after a flood, fire, war Example: after a flood, fire, war

Secondary Succession Small plantsBigger plants Animals Even bigger plants

Climax Community Climax = top Climax = top Big plants Big plants Big animals Big animals Many different plants and animals living together (biodiverse) Many different plants and animals living together (biodiverse) Food webs Food webs Stable (balanced) and successful environment Stable (balanced) and successful environment

Climax Community Different plants Really big plants (trees) People Many plants together (dense)