7.4.5 Succession

• Succession → change in an ecological community over time
• 1. A pioneer species colonises & are adapted to survive harsh abiotic conditions. They change abiotic factors it become less harsh through their death & decomposition
  2. Moss & smaller plants can now survive & they further increase depth and nutrient density of soil as they die
  3. Larger plants can survive & further change environment
  4. Newer species may change the environment causing the previous species to be out-competed, therefore they can no longer survive
  5. These changes result in a less hostile environment & increase biodiversity
• Final stage of succession is a climax community
• Climax Community →the final stable community; no further succession; mainly made up of one species eg trees
• Secondary succession occurs when existing communities have been destroyed by natural events such as fire, floods or human activities like farming.