Ecological Succession

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ceDE01iWLE

Primary Succession

• Lichens and moss (pioneer species) appear

• Erosion breaks rocks apart into smaller pieces and decomposition of pioneer species adds nutrients to the ground (soil formation)

• Small annuals (plants) start to appear

• Grasses and ferns (perennials) appear

• Shrubs and bushes appear

• Softwoods such as conifers (trees with cones) appear

• Hardwoods such as oak, maple, hickory, walnut, and cherry trees

Primary Succession

Climax Comminuty

Eventually a community reaches a steady with relatively no change which is called a climax community.

Secondary Succession

Process in which recolonization of plants occurs after some kind of natural disaster such as a forest fire.

Quicker than primary succession since the soil still remains.