1. Types of Succession
Succession is the natural change of an ecosystem over time. As time passes new species will be introduced to ecosystems. The rate of change depends on the previous environment.

2. Primary Succession There is no previous community
There are rocks, no soil. Rocks must break down into soil.
This occurs by lichens breaking apart the rock material.
Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner (usually an algae).
Takes a very long time for this succession to occur.
Thousands of years
EX: Barren land, glaciers, new volcanic islands (Hawaii) 1

3. Example of when Primary Succession occurs New Volcanic Islands

4. Another example Glaciers
Succession will occur on the new land that is left after the glacier retreats.

5. Secondary Succession
There was a previous community that was destroyed somehow
The soil remains from the previous community
This means lichens do not need to break down the rocks.
Secondary succession is faster than primary succession
Hundreds of years
EX: forest fire, Flood

6. Forest Fire in Yellowstone National Park, 1988
The red on the map is the extent of the fire

7. This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park near the Old Faithful Geyser in June of 1999, eleven years after the fires. Burned out trees remain standing, although new trees are rising to take their place.

8. Mount St. Helens before and after the 1980 eruption

9. Trees were flattened by the shear force of the blast

10. Mt. St. Helen 1988
Mt. St. Helen 2001

11. Mt. Saint Helen is not the only volcano
The largest volcano in North America is Yellowstone.
The red line indicates the size of the volcano caldera

12. Primary Succession Mature Trees Small trees Small plants and shrubs
Rock
Lichen: Pioneer species
Small plants and shrubs
Small trees
Mature Trees

13. Secondary Succession
Small sun loving plants
Small shrubs and bushes
Small trees
Mature Trees
What step is missing? (What has to happen first for secondary succession to happen?)

14. Order of Succession
Pioneer Organisms  Serel Stages  Climax Community
Pioneer Organisms are the first organisms to grow in an area after the land is exposed.
Serel Stages are the stages of growth in between the beginning and the mature area.
Climax Community is the mature community that will grow in an area.