Succession
Ecological Succession is the observed process of change in the number and type of species in an ecological over time. Over periods of time, agents of change may cause varied numbers of population in species. Species numbers might be less than what it had started or even wipe out completely. Also, this might occur with different interacting species. They might compete for space and food so eventually the winner stays in that community. Though there are lots of agents of change, each change is based on how much time passes.
Succession might occur when an ecosystems’ conditions change, and the current species living there, adapts to those certain conditions. These species that are adaptable are more likely to survive than a species that are only set to live in exact conditions. As organisms change, they can change their environment in many different ways, big or small. But by doing so, this new ecosystem becomes optimal for a new species to come in and supersede the old one. Succession might also occur when the conditions of that environment change rapidly and immensely. Agents of change such as human impact (agriculture), climate change (precipitation), and natural disasters (forest fires) all can renovate the conditions of an ecosystem.
There are two versions of succession; primary and secondary. Primary Succession is the series of changes that occur in an area where no soil or organisms exist. This is most likely to be caused by natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. When there are no organisms left, you are left with the pioneer species or the original organisms. Examples of pioneer species are mosses, algae, and fungi. When they take over the ecosystem, they eventually decompose and add organic sediments, which starts to develop layers of soil. Over periods of time, there will be a plentiful amount of soil where plants and other organisms can grow. Therefore, this can replenish the numbers of animals and plants in the environment. In Secondary Succession, a series of changes occur in an area where an ecosystem has been disturbed, but soil and organisms exist. Agents of change such as natural disasters (hurricanes) and human impact (agriculture) can play a role in secondary succession. These agents of change develop so much quicker then those of primary succession.
Succession might occur when an ecosystems’ conditions change, and the current species living there, adapts to those certain conditions. These species that are adaptable are more likely to survive than a species that are only set to live in exact conditions. As organisms change, they can change their environment in many different ways, big or small. But by doing so, this new ecosystem becomes optimal for a new species to come in and supersede the old one. Succession might also occur when the conditions of that environment change rapidly and immensely. Agents of change such as human impact (agriculture), climate change (precipitation), and natural disasters (forest fires) all can renovate the conditions of an ecosystem.
There are two versions of succession; primary and secondary. Primary Succession is the series of changes that occur in an area where no soil or organisms exist. This is most likely to be caused by natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. When there are no organisms left, you are left with the pioneer species or the original organisms. Examples of pioneer species are mosses, algae, and fungi. When they take over the ecosystem, they eventually decompose and add organic sediments, which starts to develop layers of soil. Over periods of time, there will be a plentiful amount of soil where plants and other organisms can grow. Therefore, this can replenish the numbers of animals and plants in the environment. In Secondary Succession, a series of changes occur in an area where an ecosystem has been disturbed, but soil and organisms exist. Agents of change such as natural disasters (hurricanes) and human impact (agriculture) can play a role in secondary succession. These agents of change develop so much quicker then those of primary succession.
This is a video demonstrating ecological succession more in depth. It explains the parts and speed of succession.