1. Succession

2. 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

3. Surtsey: A Case Study
The island of Surtsey formed by volcanic eruption off of the coast of Iceland during the period from

4. Surtsey – Post Eruption

5. Surtsey Today

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. Yellowstone National Park
Twenty years after the fires (2008)

13. 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.

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

15. Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later

16. Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later
Pripyat town square.

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

18. Chernobyl – Twenty Years Later
A local highway.