BIOL 2464 Tutorial #4

Ecological succession can be defined as the process through which the structure of an
ecosystem changes over time (Ecological Succession - Pennsylvania State University n.d.). This
process occurs because of the interactions constantly taking place between organisms and their
environment. Succession can be categorized into two groups – primary and secondary succession.
Both types of succession initially require the establishment of high tolerance species which usually
grow quickly and colonize the area, resulting in a low species diversity. R-selected species
characterizes this stage. This then facilitates the growth of many other species in the area – leading
to a high species diversity. Eventually, a stable climax community is reached, characterized by the
presence of k-selected species and a reduction in species diversity.

Primary succession is the growth of an ecosystem from a barren substrate in an area where
life is non-existent, such as lava flow. Pioneer species such as algae and lichen first colonize this
barren substrate while abiotic factors such as water and wind contribute to the formation of the
habitat. The pioneers and these other factors all contribute to the formation of soil; the pathway for
further ecosystem growth (Knight and Chase 2005). An example of primary succession is on the
barren land created following lava flow from a volcano’s eruption. Pioneer plants first colonize this
land and facilitate the formation of soil after many years, allowing for less hardy species to flourish
(Bazzaz 1979).

Secondary succession is the process of ecosystem growth in an area where life was
previously existent but removed by an event such as a natural disaster (Ecological Succession -
Pennsylvania State University n.d.). This type of succession takes place where soil is already present
and so is usually a process of species recolonization. This process tends to be a lot faster than
primary succession since life can prosper more easily in an environment which already contains soil,
seeds, and other surviving vegetative components after the disturbance. An example of secondary
succession is the regrowth of an ecosystem following a forest fire. Initially the forest fire will destroy
the forest – burning it to the ground. Following this, herbaceous plants such as grasses will first
recolonize the area in the existing soil. This then facilitates the growth of many species of small trees
in the area. Eventually, larger and longer-lived trees will dominate as many species of the smaller
trees die off (Bazzaz 1979).

Succession can also be categorized into three types: autogenic, allogenic and degradative.
Autogenic succession is that facilitated by biotic factors such as the aggregation of leaf litter, while
allogenic succession is that facilitated by abiotic factors such as climate change. Degradative
succession is that which occurs on dead organic matter as organisms like detritivores feed on it and
release nutrients into the soil. This type of succession occurs until the organisms’ resources are used
up (Fierer, et al. 2010).

References
Bazzaz, F. A. 1979. "The physiological ecology of plant succession." Annual Review of Ecology,
Evolution, and Systematics 10 (1): 351-371. Accessed 3 22, 2018.
http://annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.es.10.110179.002031.

n.d. Ecological Succession - Pennsylvania State University. Accessed 3 22, 2018.

http://www.psu.edu/dept/nkbiology/naturetrail/succession.htm.
Fierer, Noah, Diana R. Nemergut, Rob Knight, and Joseph M. Craine. 2010. "Changes through time:
integrating microorganisms into the study of succession." Research in Microbiology 161 (8):
635-642. Accessed 3 22, 2018.
https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/s0923250810001385.

Knight, Tiffany M., and Jonathan M. Chase. 2005. "Ecological succession: out of the ash." Current
Biology 15 (22). Accessed 3 22, 2018.
https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/s0960982205013096.