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The natural process by which ecosystems change and develop over time.
Secondary succession
Ecological succession
Primary succession
Succession that begins in a place with no soil.
Primary succession
Secondary succession
Ecological succession
Succession that occurs in areas where a disturbance has happened but soil remains.
Ecological succession
Primary succession
Secondary succession
The first organisms to colonize a barren environment.
Climax community
Pioneer species
A stable, mature ecosystem that undergoes little change in species composition.
Climax community
Pioneer species
Which of the following is most likely to be a pioneer species in primary succession?
Lichen
Deer
Grasshopper
Oak tree
What is the main difference between primary and secondary succession?
Secondary succession only occurs in rainforests
Primary succession happens faster
Primary succession starts from bare rock
Secondary succession starts with no soil
How does the early stage of succession affect the environment?
The environment has little biodiversity and limited resources at first.
Biodiversity increases over time as more complex organisms can survive
Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organisms, enriching the soil
Pioneer species begin to break down rock and start soil formation.
How does biodiversity change as succession progresses from early to late stages?
The environment has little biodiversity and limited resources at first.
Pioneer species begin to break down rock and start soil formation.
Biodiversity increases over time as more complex organisms can survive
Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organisms, enriching the soil
What role do decomposers play in ecological succession?
The environment has little biodiversity and limited resources at first.
Pioneer species begin to break down rock and start soil formation.
Biodiversity increases over time as more complex organisms can survive
Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organisms, enriching the soil
A lava flow cools and forms bare rock
Primary succession
Climax community
Secondary succession
Late succession stage
A forest regrows after a wildfire
Secondary succession
Primary succession
Climax community
Late succession stage
Mosses and lichens break down rock to form soil
Climax community
Primary succession
Late succession stage
Secondary succession
A stable forest of large trees and complex food webs exists
Climax community
Primary succession
Late succession stage
Secondary succession
Climax Forest: 50–100+ years, Stable forest with mature trees and rich ecosystems
abandoned farmland
volcanic eruption
forest fire
Climax Forest: 50–100+ years, Stable forest, mature tree species, full ecosystem
volcanic eruption
abandoned farmland
forest fire
