1. Ecological succession
-- Changes in the composition or structure of an ecological community

2. Types of ecological succession:
Primary succession
Secondary succession
Seasonal (cyclic) succession

3. Successional modes Primary succession Secondary succession
Cataclysmic disturbance
Pioneer species are adapted to extreme environments
Pioneer species make new soil so that other plants can eventually live there too
Ecological disturbance such as:
Wildfire
Pollution
Storm
Pioneer species colonize existing soil once inhabited by other species

4. Ecological succession
Cataclysmic event
Volcanic eruption
Nuclear explosion
Primary succession
Pioneer species make new soil
Lichens, fungi, algae
Ecological equilibrium
Niches are filled
Relatively slow ecological change
Secondary succession
New species invade to fill available niches
Period of gradual ecosystem development
Minor ecological disturbance
Period of gradual ecosystem development

5. Primary succession

6. Secondary succession

7. Ecological equilibrium
Also called dynamic or climax equilibrium
Environment is in a relatively steady state
Biological invasion must occur through competition alone

8. Example: Hawai’ian Islands

9. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism

10. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATA_______ EVENT)

11. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATACLYSMIC EVENT)

12. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATACLYSMIC EVENT)

13. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
Species colonizing nearest the volcanoes are _______ SPECIES

14. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
Species colonizing nearest the volcanoes are PIONEER SPECIES
Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses

15. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
Species colonizing nearest the volcanoes are PIONEER SPECIES
Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses
Pioneer species make ____

16. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
Species colonizing nearest the volcanoes are PIONEER SPECIES
Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses
Pioneer species make SOIL

17. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
Chain of islands being actively formed
Oldest and largest island is the site of active volcanism (CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
Species colonizing nearest the volcanoes are PIONEER SPECIES
Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses
Pioneer species make SOIL
PRIMARY SUCCESSION

18. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
No cataclysmic events on older islands (Kauai, Oahu) in recent geologic history

19. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
No cataclysmic events on older islands (Kauai, Oahu) in recent geologic history
Species colonizing existing habitats are performing _________ SUCCESSION

20. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
No cataclysmic events on older islands (Kauai, Oahu) in recent geologic history
Species colonizing existing habitats are performing SECONDARY SUCCESSION

21. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
No cataclysmic events on older islands (Kauai, Oahu) in recent geologic history
Species colonizing existing habitats are performing SECONDARY SUCCESSION
Older islands are in a state of
ECOLOGICAL ___________

22. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
No cataclysmic events on older islands (Kauai, Oahu) in recent geologic history
Species colonizing existing habitats are performing SECONDARY SUCCESSION
Older islands are in a state of
ECOLOGICAL EQUILIBRIUM

23. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
________ SUCCESSION – Mauna Loa/Hualalai saddle, Big Island

24. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
PRIMARY SUCCESSION – Mauna Loa/Hualalai saddle, Big Island

25. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
___________ SUCCESSION – Kalaulau valley, Kauai

26. Ecological succession in Hawai’i
SECONDARY SUCCESSION – Kalaulau valley, Kauai