Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession
 What is Ecological Succession?

• Gradual and predictable process

• Change Species structure
• Begins with Pioneer Species
• Increasing complexity of ecological
community until a climax stage is
developed.
 3 Stages in an Ecological Succession

 Primary Succession  Secondary Succession

 Climax Stage
 Processes During Ecological Succession

• Nudation: Forest fire, glacier retreat, over grazing,

volcanic eruption.
• Invasion: one or more species establish themselves
successfully dispersal or migration (pioneer species)
• Competition or Co-action: inter and intra species
• Reaction: mechanism of the modification of the
environment through the influence of living
organisms. Soil moisture, micro climate, water
content, micro-organisms etc.
• Stabilization: climax stage, equilibrium in the
environment.
Primary Succession
 Pioneer Species

Lichens break down the rocks Moss plants trap

to form soil moisture and
prevents soil erosion
Secondary Succession