Succession

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Ecological Succession Noun

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[ee-ko-loj-i-kuhl suhk-sesh-uhn]

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Ecological Succession

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A series of somewhat predictable events that occur in a community over time as its species composition changes.

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Example: This diagram shows primary ecological succession, where pioneer species like lichens create soil on bare rock, allowing grasses, shrubs, and finally a mature forest to grow.

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Primary Succession Noun

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[prahy-mer-ee suhk-sesh-uhn]

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Primary Succession

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Succession that begins on newly formed rock or other areas that have no remnants of an older community.

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Example: This image shows how a new ecosystem develops over time, starting from bare rock, with pioneer species like lichens creating soil for grasses, shrubs, and finally mature trees.

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Pioneer Species Noun

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[pahy-uh-neer spee-sheez]

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Pioneer Species

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The first species to colonize barren areas, such as lichens growing on bare rock, initiating ecological succession.

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Example: This diagram shows grasses as pioneer species, the first organisms to grow on the soil left after a wildfire, starting the process of secondary succession.

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Secondary Succession Noun

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[sek-uhn-der-ee suhk-sesh-uhn]

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Secondary Succession

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A process that occurs when a disturbance affects an existing community but does not completely destroy it.

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Example: This diagram shows how an ecosystem recovers after a disturbance like a wildfire. It starts with pioneer species like grasses growing in the existing soil, progressing to a mature climax community.

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Climax Community Noun

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[klahy-maks kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

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Climax Community

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A biological community that has reached a relatively stable state through the process of ecological succession.

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Example: This image shows a mature forest with large, diverse trees, representing a climax community—the final, stable stage of ecological succession.

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Lichen Noun

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[lahy-ken]

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Lichen

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A composite organism from a symbiosis between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism, often serving as a pioneer species.

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Example: This diagram shows that a lichen is a composite organism formed from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga.