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Secondary Succession

Definition

Secondary succession refers to the process of ecological succession that occurs in an area that has been previously disturbed or disrupted, but still retains its soil. It involves the gradual and predictable changes in plant and animal communities over time.

Analogy

Think of secondary succession like a school dance. Imagine the gymnasium as the disturbed area, such as after a fire or logging. At first, there may be chaos and empty space, but gradually students (plants) start to come back and establish their positions on the dance floor. As time goes on, different groups of students (plant species) take turns dominating the dance floor until a stable community is formed.

Related terms

Pioneer Species: Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a disturbed area during secondary succession. They are usually hardy plants or lichens that can tolerate harsh conditions.

Climax Community: A climax community is the final stage of ecological succession where a stable and diverse community of plants and animals is established in an ecosystem.

Disturbance: Disturbance refers to any event or factor that disrupts an ecosystem, such as fires, hurricanes, human activities, or natural disasters.