Ecological succession is a gradual andnatural change in an ecosystem overhundreds or thousands of years

Ecological Succession

Primary Succession

Primary Succession begins in an area without soil

Primary succession is theseries of changes that occurin an area where no ecosystemspreviously existed.

Such an area might be a new island formed by the eruption of an undersea volcano, or an area of rock uncovered by a melting sheet of ice.

Secondary Succession

Secondary succession takes place where an existing ecosystem has been disturbed.

Secondary succession is the series of changes that occurAfter a disturbance in an existing ecosystem.

Natural disturbances that have this effect include fires,Hurricanes, and tornadoes

Human activities, such as farming, logging, or miningMay also disturb an ecosystem

NicheAn organism’s particular role in an ecosystem

The Honey Bee’s niche is to pollinatePlants as it gathers nectar and pollen

Desert cottontails•Eat grasses and shrubs•Food source for coyotes, foxes, hawks, horned owls, eagles

Species

A group of similar organisms whose members can mate with one Another and produce fertile offspring

Fox Squirrel

White tailed deer

Adaptation

A characteristic (trait) that helps an organism Survive in its environment or reproduce

Wolf’s adaptations

Include sharp teeth,

Speed, and excellent

Hearing and eyesight

Population

Pine Trees

Duck

White Tailed Deer

A group of organisms of the same species livingIn the same area

Bluebonnet flowers

FloraAll species of plants that are found in a particular region, period, or special environment.

Fauna

The animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Pioneer Species

Spiral of lichen on a rock

Pioneer species are the first organisms to grow in a bare area (bare rock with little or no soil)

Mosses

Pioneer species are oftenLichens and mosses carried toThe area by wind or water

As these organisms grow, they helpbreak up the rocks.When they die, theyenrich the thin layer of soil that is forming.