Succession

Primary Succession
The establishment and development of an ecosystem in an area that was previously uninhabited
Lichens and mosses Grasses And small shrubs Large shrubs and small trees

Large trees

Surtsey: A Case Study

The island of Surtsey formed by volcanic eruption off of the coast of Iceland during the period from 1963 - 1967

Surtsey Post Eruption

Surtsey Today

Secondary Succession
The recovery of a damaged ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact

Fireweed

Sequoia seedling

Case Study: Yellowstone National Park

1988 Devastating forest fires burn much of Yellowstone National Park.

Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park

1988 Park map showing areas (1.6 million acres) burned by the series of fires.

Yellowstone National Park

1988 fires The immediate aftermath.

Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park

One year after the fires Note the appearance of fireweed

Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park

Ten years after the fires (1998)

Photo: National Parks Service

Yellowstone National Park

Twenty years after the fires (2008)

Case Study - Chernobyl

In April, 1986, a nuclear power plant in the former USSR experienced a core meltdown and a catastrophic release of radioactivity into the environment.

Chernobyl
Surrounding towns and villages had to be immediately, permanently abandoned.

Chernobyl Twenty Years Later

Chernobyl Twenty Years Later

Pripyat town square.

Chernobyl Twenty Years Later

Pripyat Soccer Stadium opened in 1986.

Chernobyl Twenty Years Later

A local highway.