Ecological succession

Observed process of change in the species structure of a natural community over time.

Event that changes composition of an ecosystem.

Natural disturbance caused by animals, fires, lightning, floods or earthquakes that provide an opening for better suited organisms to thrive and others to succeed them over time.

Absence of soil defines this type of succession which takes place in an environment where the disturbance cleared all organisms and soil.

Process by which one community replaces another community that has been destroyed.

Organisms that can live in a newly created, barren or altered environments. Example: lichens (see photo)

They develop soil and create organic matter from their dead remains.

Stable, final stage where all organisms are in equilibrium until the next disturbance.

Largest amount of biodiversity for a particular ecosystem.

Volcanic activity
Glaciation
River sedimentation
Sand dunes
Rocks

Hurricane
Flooding
Forest fire
Clear-cut forest
Avalanche
Landslide

Succession of micro-organisms like protists, fungi and bacteria occurring within a microhabitat (Photo: fungi on rotting tree).

A species so intertwined in an ecosystem that without its present the ecosystem would collapse.

Sea otters eat Sea Urchin, and in return this keep the Sea Urchins from eating too much Kelp. This kelp is the producer for some ecosystems.

Develop the soil.