1. Ecological Succession

2. Ecological succession
Primary Succession – is the gradual growth of plant life in areas that are devoid of vegetation and soil.
e.g. after lava flow or melting of a glacier
Secondary Succession – is the regrowth of plant life in areas that previously had vegetation and soil.
e.g. after floods, fire, hurricanes

3. Ecological succession
The sequence of community changes after a disturbance – transition in species composition over ecological time (years/decades)
Mt. St. Helens
Deforestation
Fire

4. Disturbances
Disturbances are often necessary for community development & survival

5. Secondary Succession 1st - Devastation 1. pioneer species
= mosses & lichens (= fungus+algae)
2. Grasses (& Ferns)

6. 3. Weeds
4. Shrubs & Trees
5. Climax Trees

7. Synthesize your own scenario
Create three sequential communities (an original community, a resulting community after some abiotic factor has caused devastation, and then a community that have recovered as a result of ecological session
Original Community Devastated Community Community bouncing back
_________________ Devastated by ________ After how many years? ____