Ecological Succession
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ecological succession/ˌekəˈlɒdʒɪkl səkˈseʃn/ | the gradual, orderly change in the species of a community over time |
| primary succession/ˈpraɪməri səkˈseʃn/ | succession that starts on bare rock or new land with no soil |
| secondary succession/ˈsekəndəri səkˈseʃn/ | succession after a disturbance that leaves the soil in place, such as a fire or an abandoned field |
| pioneer species/paɪəˈnɪə ˈspiːsiːz/ | the first hardy species, such as lichens and mosses, to colonize bare or disturbed ground |
| climax community/ˈklaɪmæks kəˈmjuːnɪti/ | In a classical succession model, a relatively stable mature community expected under the prevailing conditions; disturbance can alter or replace it. |
From bare ground to forest
- After a fire or a landslide, the land looks lifeless.
- But life returns, step by step, in a predictable order.
- Over years, bare ground can become a full forest.
- This gradual rebuilding is called ecological succession.
Two kinds of succession
- Ecological succession 生态演替 is the gradual change of a community over time.
- Primary succession 初级演替 starts on bare rock with no soil — like a new volcanic island.
- Secondary succession 次级演替 starts where soil (and often seeds) survive — like after a fire.
- Because it keeps its soil, secondary succession is much faster.
Ecological succession is…
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Succession is the step-by-step change of a community from bare ground toward a mature state.
Pioneers break the ground
- The first arrivals are the pioneer species 先锋物种.
- Tough organisms like lichens and mosses colonise bare rock.
- They slowly break down rock and build the first thin soil.
- This prepares the ground for larger plants to follow.
How a community rebuilds
Step through succession - bare ground is colonised, then slowly develops into a mature community.
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
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Primary succession starts on bare rock with no soil; secondary starts where soil (and seeds) survive.
The first tough species to colonise bare ground are the ____ species.
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Pioneer species like lichens and mosses arrive first and begin building soil.
Toward a climax community
- As soil deepens, grasses arrive, then shrubs, then trees.
- Each stage changes the environment for the next.
- Finally a stable, mature climax community 顶极群落 develops.
- A mature forest is a common climax community.
Succession ends with a community of fast-growing pioneer species.
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False. Pioneer species start succession. It ends in a relatively stable, mature community called the climax community, such as a mature forest.
Select all true statements about succession.
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Succession takes years to centuries, not a single day. The other three are correct.
Do not confuse the two starting points. Primary succession begins with no soil (bare rock) and is very slow. Secondary succession begins where soil survives (after a fire or flood) and is far faster, because the pioneers do not have to build soil from scratch.
A forest after a fire:
- A fire clears the trees but leaves the soil and seeds behind.
- This is secondary succession: grasses and fast plants sprout within a year.
- Shrubs and young trees follow, and over decades the mature forest returns — a full climax community rebuilt.
Ecological succession is the gradual change of a community over time. Primary succession starts on bare rock with no soil (slow); secondary succession starts where soil survives (faster). Pioneer species colonise first and build soil, and succession ends in a stable climax community like a forest.