Ecosystems

• Primary succession in the development of an ecosystem

  1. First colonisers or pioneer species

  2. Gradual, directional change in a community of organisms over time

  3. Series of defined stages

  4. Final, stable climax community reached

  5. Plants change abiotic factors in their environment

  6. Less hostile environment allows new species to colonise

  7. New species outcompete existing species

  8. Gradual change from pioneer species to stable climax community
• Succession


  Gradual, directional change in a community of organisms over time
• Stages of succession


  • First colonisers or pioneer species
  • Final, stable climax community
• Plants change abiotic factors in their environment

  Less hostile environment allows new species to colonise
• New species colonise


  They outcompete existing species
• Succession progresses


  Community changes from pioneer species to stable climax community