1. Unit 5 Section 3 Succession

2. Ecological Succession Succession is a series of more or less predictable changes that occur in a community over time. As succession proceeds, the number of different species present increases

3. Primary succession occurs when an environmental emerges for the first time There is no existing community Example: volcanic island or retreating glaciers The first plants to populate these areas are called pioneer organisms, usually lichen or algae These progress to mosses and shrubs until finally you have a whole forest community with lots of organisms in it

4. Secondary succession occurs when a dramatic change occurs in an environment like a forest fire, hurricane or human activities like logging and farming It is a series of slow changes that occurs until a stable climax community is reached Occurs faster than primary succession because soil remains and new and surviving plants regrow quickly