occurs in areas where a community that previously existed has been removed by a disturbance (farming, fire, flood, etc); begins with soil; takes less time than other succession

series of events through which a stable ecosystem forms in a previously lifeless areas; begins with no soil as rock broken down and soil forms plant take root; this continues until area reaches climax community if not disturbed; takes a long time

first organisms to appear in areas of primary succession are often mosses or lichens

final stage of succession, populations of plants or animals remain stable and exist in balance with each other and their environment until nature or humans cause a disturbance

non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms; such as air, water, rocks, etc

life; living organisms

the ability of a natural system to regulate itself so as to return to a steady state after an outside disturbance

a community of living organisms as well as all the nonliving parts of their environment, interacting as a system

distinct communities of organisms living in a large area; deserts, tundra, forests, grasslands, etc.

all the members of a species living in an area

includes all the species in an area

solid rock under surface materials