1. Ecological Succession
What is ecological succession?
Ecological Succession
Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances. As an ecosystem changes, older inhabitants gradually die out and new organisms move in, causing further changes in the community.
Ecological Succession: series of predictable changes that occurs in a community over time.
Occurs after an abrupt disturbance of the ecosystem…after a fire or volcanic eruption.
Two different types of succession
Primary succession
Secondary succession

2. Primary Succession vs Secondary Succession
Pioneer species
Primary Succession: succession that occurs when there is no soil
Typically after a volcanic eruption
Secondary Succession: succession that occurs when the soil is present
Typically after a fire
Pioneer Species: first species to populate an area during succession
Lichens: a pioneer species that can grow without soil that break down rocks, slowly forming new soil