Transcript Succession

Class Notes 3
Succession
I. Succession
A. As resources are used up, or become
available, different species of plants or
animals become present.
B. Scientists call these changes in species
over time succession.
II. Primary Succession
A. Occurs on an area of bare rock or
sand where nothing has ever
lived.
B. First, pioneer species, such as
lichen, move in.
II. Primary Succession cont
C. The lichen decomposes, improving the
soil.
D. Eventually larger plants, then larger
animals can move in.
III. Secondary Succession
A. When a community
is disrupted because
of a natural disaster
or human change.
B. Because soil already
exists, secondary
succession may take
less time than
primary succession
to reach a climax
community.
IV. Climax Community
The community will mature until limiting factors
have stopped it. At this point, it has reached its
climax community.
Secondary succession
Climax community
Summary
What is succession? What are the two
types? Compare and contrast. Why do
communities reach a climax?