Ecological succession

Succession refers to a directional, predictable change in community structure over time (Grime 1979, Huston & Smith 1987). This change is due to shifts in the presence and relative abundance of different species as time passes over years to centuries. While succession is most often thought about in terms of the plant community, shifts in the populations of other organisms also need to be considered. The process of succession can be seen in many different systems, ranging from the establishment of grasslands after a volcanic eruption, to the re-establishment of forests after agricultural fields have been abandoned. In plant communities, succession begins when an area is made partially or completely devoid of vegetation because of a disturbance. Disturbances can take many different forms, and can vary in intensity and size. Large, extreme disturbances such as volcanic eruptions or glacier retreat result in very slow succession due to complete mortality of all living individuals in the system, as well as loss of the entire soil complex. This type of succession is often called primary succession, as the soil, as well as all characteristic organisms, needs to re-establish. Large, low intensity disturbances, such as plowing in conventional agriculture, result in moderate amounts of succession, where species can survive in the soil and quickly recolonize areas after a disturbance. This type of succession is often called secondary succession (Connell & Slayter 1977). Early success...

Ecological succession is a classical concept in the field of ecology that describes how plants and animals in an environment change over time. Ecological succession is a key concept in the field of ecology. It refers to the process in which a biological community — the plants and animals that live and interact in a specific environment — undergoes a series of structural changes over time. The internal conditions of a biological community, made up of a diverse set of species of plants and animals, will change due to external forces of the environment. Great changes are caused by disturbances: natural or human-caused events —like forest fires, floods, earthquakes, or oil spills. Those will drastically alter the landscape of an environment, or otherwise cause great stress and damage to the biological community, changing its composition. Although disturbances may wipe out entire populations of species, the altered environment will open the space for other species to re-colonize the new landscape. Let’s look at some examples of ecological succession and learn the difference between primary succession and secondary succession. Primary Succession and Pioneer Species Newly formed, volcanic rock is often colonized by pioneer species. (Foto: Source: CC0 / Pixabay / Pixaline) New rock is formed around a volcanic island when molten lava flows into the seawater. This land will be entirely barren until bacteria from the sea wash up onto the rock, allowing for lichen and moss to colonize...

Abstract. Understanding vegetation recovery after fire is critical for predicting vegetation-mediated ecological dynamics in future climates. However, information characterizing vegetation recovery patterns after fire and their determinants are lacking over large geographical extents. This study uses Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) leaf area index (LAI) and albedo to characterize patterns of post-fire biophysical dynamics across the western United States (US) and further examines the influence of topo-climatic variables on the recovery of LAI and albedo at two different time intervals, 10 and 20 years post-fire, using a random forest model. Recovery patterns were derived for all wildfires that occurred between 1986 and 2017 across seven forest types and 21 level III ecoregions of the western US. We found differences in characteristic trajectories of post-fire vegetation recovery across forest types and ecoclimatic settings. LAI in some forest types recovered only 60 %–70 % by 25 years after fire while it recovered 120 % to 150 % of the pre-fire levels in other forest types, with higher absolute post-fire changes in forest types and ecoregions that had a higher initial pre-fire LAI. Our random forest results showed very little influence of fire severity on the recovery of both summer LAI and albedo at both post-fire time intervals. Post-fire vegetation recovery was most strongly controlled by elevation, with faster rates of recovery in lower elevations...

Secondary Succession Definition One of the two main forms of ecological succession, secondary succession is the process relating to community growth or change that takes place when a habitat is disturbed or damaged. Whilst primary succession takes place when pioneer species inhabit a newly formed substrate lacking in soil and biotic organisms (such as rock formed from lava flow or areas of glacier retreat), secondary succession occurs on a substrate that has previously supported vegetation but has been altered by processes such as fire, hurricanes, floods or human disturbances. Secondary succession is usually faster than primary succession because soil and nutrients are already present due to ‘normalization’ by previous pioneer species, and because roots, seeds and other biotic organisms may still be present within the substrate. Examples of Secondary Succession Fire Fire is one of the most common causes of secondary succession and is an important component for the renewal and vitality of many types of ecosystem. Fires may either take place naturally, for example when lightning strikes a dry habitat, or may involve controlled, systematic burning of a landscape by humans. Both the abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem can be drastically altered by the presence of fire. The most notable abiotic feature that is affected by fire is the soil; CO2, CO and CH4 stored within the organic material is released into the atmosphere during the combustion process; however, this i...

• Succession describes the changes in the composition of an ecological community over time. • Primary succession is the initial colonization of living things in a previously lifeless area. • In contrast, secondary succession is the re-colonization of a region after a significant disturbance. • The end result of succession is the establishment of a climax community. • Primary succession requires much more time than secondary succession. Steps of Primary Succession Primary succession begins in areas essentially devoid of life. It follows a predictable series of steps: • Barren Land: Primary succession occurs in an environment that has never supported complex life. Bare rock, lava, or sand don't contain nutrient-rich soil or nitrogen-fixing bacteria, so plants and animals cannot initially survive. Primary succession occurs on land, but it can also occur in the ocean where lava has flowed. • Pioneer Species: The first organisms to colonize the rock are called pioneer species. Terrestrial pioneer species include lichens, moss, algae, and fungi. An example of an aquatic pioneer species is coral. Eventually, pioneer species and • Annual Herbaceous Plants: As pioneer species die, organic material accumulates and annual herbaceous plants start to move in and overtake the pioneer species. Annual herbaceous plants include ferns, grasses, and herbs. Insects and other small animals start to colonize the ecosystem at this point. • Perennial Herbaceous Plants: Plants and animals complete...

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