Ecological succession is the natural process by which the species composition and structure of an ecological community change over time. It involves a sequence of communities gradually replacing one another until a stable "climax community" is established or until a disturbance resets the process
. There are two main types of ecological succession:
- Primary succession occurs in newly formed or exposed habitats where no life previously existed, such as after a lava flow or glacier retreat. Pioneer species like lichens and mosses colonize first, eventually leading to more complex plant and animal communities
- Secondary succession happens in areas where a pre-existing community has been disturbed or destroyed by events like fire, flood, or human activities but where soil and some organisms remain. This succession tends to proceed faster than primary succession due to residual life and nutrients
Ecological succession is important for understanding ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity changes, and restoration efforts. It was first studied in detail by Henry Chandler Cowles in the Indiana Dunes and remains a central concept in ecology
. In summary, ecological succession is the orderly, often predictable, process of ecological community change over time, driven by species interactions, environmental conditions, and disturbances
