Ecological Succession

Explore how ecosystems change over time through primary succession, where life begins on bare rock with no soil, and secondary succession, where communities recover quickly after disturbances. Discover the crucial role of pioneer species and how they differ from the stable climax communities that eventually take over.

Topics

AP
AP Biology
AP Bio
next generation science standards
NGSS
climax community
colonization
disturbance
ecosystem
food webs
food chains
lichens
pioneer species
primary succession
r-strategist
K-strategist
secondary succession
soil formation
wind dispersal