Ecological succession refers to the sequence of communities, where one community replaces another over time, resulting in long-term changes in the ecosystem
Changes occur until a complex, stable ecosystem develops; this is known as the climax or endpoint of succession
The first plants and animals that become established in an area are known as pioneers or pioneer communities
The pioneers change the environment and create conditions that are favourable for the establishment of more complex organisms
Typical pioneer plants are lichens settling on bare rocks or grasses growing on ploughed land
Lichen is a plant-like growth consisting of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and green algae.
