Primary ecological succession occurs when an area experiences a disturbance so severe that none of the original species survive. An example of primary succession would be the recovery of an ecosystem after lava covers the ground or a glacier retreats. Both of these disturbances would leave the ecosystem void of species that previously inhabited the area and would leave bare rock exposed. In order for the ecosystem to recover, pioneer species would have to establish and create soil for other vegetation to utilize.
Which Disturbance Would Result in Primary Succession?
Which disturbance would result in primary succession? As an example, this type of succession would occur after a volcanic eruption, when lava cools and creates new rocks, or when a glacier retreats and exposes rocks without any soil. During primary succession, organisms must start from scratch. Primary ecological succession takes a very long time because it requires many steps to convert bare rock to a functional ecosystem. The process normally starts with the invasion of lichens and mosses, which create soil, and then the process moves on to allow for the establishment of larger vegetation.
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Secondary ecological succession occurs when an area experiences a disturbance that alters the existing ecosystem but does not destroy all of the original species. During secondary succession, the soil and species that remain after the disturbance are used as the building blocks that help facilitate the recovery of the ecosystem. An example of secondary succession would be the recovery of a forest after a forest fire. Grasses, followed by shrubs and a variety of tree species, would eventually grow after some time.
Which Factor Can Cause Secondary Succession?
Which factor can cause secondary succession? For example, this type of succession would occur after a forest fire, flood, heavily overgrazed area left to itself, severe drought for many years, or a windstorm. Why does the secondary succession occur faster? It is often quicker than primary succession because the process does not have to start from scratch. The soil and organisms that remain establish a healthy ecosystem so larger plants and animals can begin to reestablish the environment more rapidly.
After the disturbance, small plants would recover quickly, and eventually larger trees would be able to gain footing. The ecosystem would still have a variety of small plant species and many animal species left after the harvest, and these species would begin to grow and recolonize the area. Eventually, the larger trees would grow back, and the ecosystem would return to a stable state.
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Both primary and secondary ecological succession share some similarities. Both the successions involve the replacement of natural communities over time, leading to a climax community that is more stable. Moreover, in both the successions the communities begin with pioneer species. Primary and secondary ecological successions are also different from each other in some ways. Primary succession develops a new community from scratch while secondary succession happens on a previously existing community that has been cleared. As well, pioneer species for secondary succession grow quickly, can disperse quickly, and have a short life span.
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Ecological succession can happen in any type of environment, including both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Although succession occurs in both of these types of ecosystems, the stages of change are very different due to the variation in the species and community structures of the two different types of ecosystems. Terrestrial succession has been researched more and is better understood. It is often divided into primary and secondary succession.
Ecological succession in aquatic ecosystems has not been studied as much as terrestrial succession, and therefore, more is unknown about aquatic succession. It is known that succession in aquatic ecosystems, such as lakes and streams, happens when a disturbance occurs that results in the aquatic area filling with sediment or organic matter. Common disturbances that result in this succession are floods, droughts, erosion, and the construction of dams. These disturbances often cause land around the aquatic ecosystem to erode thereby settling sediment into the water causing organisms in the water to die, and settling of organic matter to the bottom of the water. This changes the dynamics of the ecosystem. In many cases, it fills with so much sediment that the shoreline advances to the center of the water, and the aquatic area is replaced with a semi-aquatic or a terrestrial environment.
Besides the oceans, most bodies of water are considered temporary and can be converted to bare land or terrestrial ecosystems as a result of succession. In recent years, there has been a desire to reverse the effects of succession in aquatic ecosystems by dredging. Dredging is when the sediment at the bottom of an aquatic area is dug up and removed. This is done to make the water deeper and also to reduce the sediment that can eventually lead to the succession of the aquatic ecosystem into a terrestrial ecosystem.
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Ecological succession is when an ecosystem eventually changes in species composition and community structure over time after a disturbance has occurred. In terrestrial ecosystems, succession can occur as either primary or secondary succession. Primary ecological succession is the type of succession that occurs when an area experiences a disturbance that is so severe that none of the original species survive and the ecosystem must rebuild from bare rock. An example of this is the recovery of an ecosystem after a volcano has covered an area with lava. Pioneer species are the first to establish and develop in a bare area. Over time, the ecosystem begins to stabilize as more species inhabit the area, and eventually, the region becomes a climax ecosystem.
Secondary ecological succession occurs when an area experiences a disturbance that alters the existing ecosystem but does not destroy all of the original species. An example of secondary succession would be the recovery of a forest after a forest fire, wherein grasses, followed by shrubs and a variety of tree species, would eventually grow over time. Succession in aquatic ecosystems occurs when sediment gradually fills in the water and changes the aquatic area to a semi-aquatic or terrestrial environment. Dredging is digging and removing the sediment at the bottom of an aquatic area to reduce the sediment that can eventually lead to the succession of the aquatic ecosystem into a terrestrial ecosystem. Succession is very important for the stability of the environment.
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Video Transcript
What Is Succession?
If a volcano erupted or a tsunami hit land, how do you think the environment would be affected? You might expect that after the initial problem that plants and animals, along with the entire ecosystem, would be destroyed. In fact, over time, the ecosystem would recover and be restored to a functional environment. Ecological succession is the term used to describe how an ecosystem gradually changes in species composition and community structure over time after a disturbance has occurred.
Succession can occur after a variety of different types of disturbances, such as volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, fires and human activities. In ecological succession, the first species to colonize the area after the disturbance is called the pioneer species. Pioneer species are often small species that are very good at adapting to adverse conditions. Once the pioneer species are established, they facilitate the recovery of the environment by creating conditions that are more favorable for larger and less adaptable species.
Over time, the ecosystem will begin to stabilize as more species inhabit the area, and eventually the region will become a climax ecosystem. A climax ecosystem is when the plants and animals of the ecosystem are in a stable relationship with the environment and they remain relatively unchanged until another disturbance occurs. The steps of succession can vary by the type of ecosystem, but overall, they include the introduction of pioneer species and the end result of a climax ecosystem.
Succession in Terrestrial Ecosystems
Ecological succession can happen in any type of environment, including both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Although succession occurs in both of these types of ecosystems, the stages of change are very different due to the variation in the species and community structures of the two different types of ecosystems. Terrestrial succession is better understood and is often divided into primary and secondary succession.
Primary succession is the type of succession that occurs when an area experiences a disturbance so severe that none of the original species survive. During the process of primary succession, the disturbance causes the exposure of bare rock and the ecosystem is rebuilt from scratch due to the lack of organisms that remain. Primary succession is often a slow process because it requires many steps to convert bare rock to a functional ecosystem. The process normally starts with the invasion of lichens and mosses, which create soil, and then the process moves on to allow for the establishment of larger vegetation.
An example of primary succession would be the recovery of an ecosystem after lava covers the ground or a glacier retreats. Both of these disturbances would leave the ecosystem void of species that previously inhabited the area and would leave bare rock exposed. In order for the ecosystem to recover, pioneer species would have to establish and create soil for other vegetation to utilize.
In contrast, secondary succession is the type of succession that occurs when an area experiences a disturbance that alters the existing ecosystem but does not destroy all of the original species. During secondary succession, the soil and species that remain after the disturbance are used as the building blocks that help facilitate the recovery of the ecosystem.
Secondary succession is often quicker than primary succession because the process does not have to start from scratch. The soil and organisms that remain establish a healthy ecosystem and larger plants and animals can begin to reestablish the environment more rapidly. An example of secondary succession would be the recovery of an ecosystem after humans cut down all of the trees.
After the disturbance, small plants would recover quickly, and eventually larger trees would be able to establish. The ecosystem would still have a variety of small plant species and many animal species left after the harvest, and these species would begin to grow and recolonize the area. Eventually, the larger trees would grow back, and the ecosystem would return to a stable state.
Succession in Freshwater Ecosystems
Ecological succession in freshwater ecosystems has not been studied as much as terrestrial succession, and therefore, more is unknown about freshwater succession. It is known that succession in freshwater ecosystems, such as lakes and streams, happens when a disturbance occurs that results in the aquatic area filling with sediment or organic matter.
Common disturbances that result in freshwater succession are floods, droughts, erosion and the construction of dams. These types of disturbances often cause land around the freshwater ecosystem to erode and sediment settles into the water. Disturbances can also cause organisms in the water to die, and the organic matter then settles to the bottom of the water.
During succession of a freshwater ecosystem, eventually the sediment or organic matter builds up and the dynamics of the ecosystem begin to change. In many cases, the freshwater ecosystem fills with so much sediment that the shoreline advances to the center of the water and the aquatic area is replaced with a semi-aquatic or a terrestrial environment.
For a freshwater ecosystem, the climax community can actually be the terrestrial ecosystem that ultimately remains after the water is gone. Throughout this process of the water filling in with sediment, some species die off, such as fish, and others, such as plants near the shore, may flourish in their new environment.
Besides the oceans, most bodies of water are considered temporary and can be converted to bare land or terrestrial ecosystems as a result of succession. In recent years, there has been a desire to reverse the effects of succession in freshwater ecosystems by dredging. Dredging is when the sediment at the bottom of an aquatic area is dug up and removed. This is done to make the water deeper and also to reduce the sediment that can eventually lead to succession of the freshwater ecosystem into a terrestrial ecosystem.
Lesson Summary
You can see ecological succession in action all around you. It is when an ecosystem eventually changes in species composition and community structure over time after a disturbance has occurred. In terrestrial ecosystems, succession can occur as either primary or secondary succession. Primary succession is the type of succession that occurs when an area experiences a disturbance that is so severe that none of the original species survive and the ecosystem must rebuild from bare rock. An example of this is the recovery of an ecosystem after a volcano has covered an area with lava.
After the lava flows over the land, it would become bare rock and, in order for the ecosystem to recover, pioneer species would have to establish and create soil. Secondary succession is the type of succession that occurs when an area experiences a disturbance that alters the existing ecosystem but does not destroy all of the original species.
The remaining soil and organisms help facilitate the process of establishing a healthy, new ecosystem. An example of this type of succession would be a farm field being abandoned and invaded by the surrounding forest. The succession would start with smaller plants invading the field, and eventually larger trees would also establish themselves.
Succession in freshwater ecosystems occurs when sediment gradually fills in the water and changes the aquatic area to a semi-aquatic or a terrestrial environment. Succession is not an action that occurs once in the history of an ecosystem. The earth is constantly changing and disturbances keep occurring, which creates a continuous cycle of disturbances and successions. Overall, succession is very important to the stability of the environment because without this ability to recover, ecosystems would be completely destroyed after disturbances and organisms would lose their precious environment forever.
Learning Outcomes
Once you've completed this lesson, you'll be able to:
- Describe primary and secondary succession
- Identify the importance of pioneer species to succession
- Compare succession in freshwater ecosystems to that of terrestrial ecosystems
- Explain the importance of succession to the environment
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