Environmental Science U1 Module 1 Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession 1
Ecological Succession 2
Primary Succession 2
Secondary Succession 5
Primary vs Secondary Succession 6
Succession Process 7
Climax Communities 8

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Environmental Science U1 Module 1 Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession
Ecological succession is the process of change in the structure of an ecological
community over time.
Ecosystems change constantly in response to abiotic and biotic factors, this may cause
the relative abundance of species to change and new species may enter while others
may leave.
Ecological succession goes through a unique sequence of stages starting with pioneer
species. As time passes the diversity of species increases and eventually a climax
community develops.
- Reasons for these changes include:
Catastrophes, which may be natural or anthropogenic.
Seasonal or climatic changes
Succession changes - long tern changes in composition of a community, brought
about mostly by actions of organisms. This takes place in stages called seral stages
and are collectively called a sere.

Primary Succession
Primary succession occurs when a community develops on bare, uncolonized ground,
typically of a new formed area where no life existed previously.
E.g. new land or rocks formed after volcanic eruptions, new ponds and sand dunes.
The first species are called primary colonizers or pioneer species. These mostly include
lichens which can withstand abnormal environmental conditions such as extreme
temperatures, dryness and very low levels of nutrients, making them ideal early
colonizers.
Lichens capture windblown dirt particles promoting further soil development and dead
lichens crumble and become part of the soil along with remains of insects and fungi.
Over time enough soil develops for Moses to take root.
Organic mater then begins to build up and more nutrients accumulate, cushions of moss
and tiny herbaceous plants appear. The build up of organic matter and mineral particles
then supports larger plants as more moisture is retained.
The growth of larger plants and the actives of the fauna all help in the build up of soil
which eventually leads to the land being able to supports mature wood lands.

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Environmental Science U1 Module 1 Ecological Succession

Types of Primary Succession

Primary successions are named according to the conditions on which they start.
Hydrosere - succession that occurs in an aquatic environment.

Xerosere - succession that takes place on dry land. The original substratum lacks water
and any organic matter, having only minerals in disintegrated unweathered state.

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Environmental Science U1 Module 1 Ecological Succession
Halosere - succession that occurs in a slaty environment, e.g. salt marsh

Lithosere - succession that occurs rocky on substrates.

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Environmental Science U1 Module 1 Ecological Succession

Secondary Succession
Secondary succession occurs in areas where there already is soil and life but have
suddenly lost their community. This can be due to Disturbances, natural or manmade.
The changes are similar to those experienced in primary succession but occur at a faster
rate. This is because of the initial presence of soil and seed banks.
An example of secondary succession is the series of changes observed after a forest
fire.

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Environmental Science U1 Module 1 Ecological Succession

Primary vs Secondary Succession

Primary succession involves the formation of soil from bare rock while secondary
succession begins with pre existing soil.
Primary successions involves the introduction of species into an area that was never
previously colonized while secondary involves the re-establishment of species into an
area that was previously colonized but which was disturbed,
In primary succession the first species must be able to survive in areas of low nutrients
while in secondary nutrients are available for producers to consume and exist

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Environmental Science U1 Module 1 Ecological Succession

Succession Process
Once pioneer species establish themselves in an area, ecological succession takes
place as they interact and affect the environment, gradually changing environmental
factors through processes such as growing, living and reproducing.
When environmental conditions change, species that are better adapted to the new
conditions will outcompete and replace the existing species.
Plants provide particular microhabitats which determine the structure of plant
communities as well as animal species that live in the area. E.g. a change in plant
species promotes a change in animal species as each plant species will have different
associated animal species that feed on them. The presence of particular herbivorous
species usually determines the carnivorous species present as well. Fungal species will
also change depending on changes within the plant communities.

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Climax Communities

A climax community is an ecological community in the final stage of succession, in

which the species composition remains relatively stable.
is the final or stable community in a successional series. It is self-perpetuating and in
It
equilibrium with the physical and biotic environment.
Climax communities undergo changes in structure as a result of birth, death and growth
processes in the community.
They are characterized by a progressive increase in biomass and in species diversity
and complexity of feeding interactions.

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