Ecological Succession

The Changing Forest Though they often appear static, forests are actually very dynamic, changing on a variety of time scales. They respond to disturbances, like storms or pest outbreaks, to annual cycles of climate, especially the deciduous forests typical of the SERC region, and over the long term…

During a succession, different groups of plants grow at a site over time. The diagram shows a succession from bare ground to a mature forest. Plants that colonise bare ground are typically hardy and low-growing. In time, shrubs and small trees grow among the first plants, and a shrubland develops. Seedlings…

The first species to arrive either after a disturbance, such as a flood, or when the land is first formed, such as a new volcanic island, are called pioneer species. They are the first colonizers. Grasses, mosses, lichens, and other plants are pioneer species. Pioneer species may even be able to survive…

Ecological succession is described by the 2nd law of thermodynamics. According to the universal law of the maximal energy dispersal, an ecosystem evolves toward a stationary state in its surroundings by consuming free energy via diverse mechanisms. Species are the mechanisms that conduct energy down…

By Filip Tkaczyk Ecosystem succession, also called ecological succession,is the process through which a natural community of plants and animals changes after a disturbance. It is generally understood that ecological succession is a progressive movement towards the most stable community (also called…

The route to climatic climax can take place in two ways as shown below: Primary succession is found on a new land surface or in water and various seral stages are passed through before climatic climax is reached. It is an orderly sequence of events where one community is replaced by another. Biomass…

Succession, a series of environmental changes, occurs in all ecosystems. The stages that any ecosystem passes through are predictable. In this activity, you will place the stages of succession of two ecosystems into sequence. You will also describe changes in an ecosystem and make prediction. Questions…

Global warming may accelerate succession. Species within biotic communities rise and fall in a remarkably orderly and predictable fashion through the process of ecological succession. The first plants to colonize an area are called pioneers; they pave the way for other species. The destiny of a species…

Succession allows living things to occupy an area that was once barren. Images by Contributing Writer An area once devoid of life teems with living things following the process of succession. Glaciers, giant masses of ice, leave in their wake practically sterile land. Over time, various species take…