Primary Succession

• Defined: Establishment and development of an ecosystem in an uninhabited environment

• Volcanic lava creates new land

• Glaciers retreating exposing new land

Bare Rock

• Lava cools and hardens into rock

Pioneer Species

• Defined: First organisms to inhabit new land

• Moss and lichen grow on bare rock

• Dead matter accumulates with rock pieces– Thin soil layer begins to accumulate

The Process Continues

• Seeds enter the area and grow• Small flowers & shrubs accumulate more

organic matter• With new plants, small animals inhabit the

area

The Process Continues

• Small trees take root in the accumulated organic matter

• More animals use the trees as a habitat

Climax Community

• Large trees take root– Overcrowd and out-compete the original smaller trees

• New animals inhabit new forests

Secondary Succession

• Changes that take place after a disturbance occurs in an established ecosystem– Forest fires, floods, tree falls…

• Faster scale (soil preexists)

review

1) What are the first organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called?

2) Give examples of the answer to question #1.

3) What are the final organisms to live within a newly created patch of land called?

4) How are new areas of land created?

5) Give a few examples how the process of secondary succession can start.

6) How does primary and secondary succession differ?