XII. Ecological Succession – the process in which the community in a particular place is gradually replaced by another community; occurs because organisms cause changes in their surroundings that make the environment less suitable for other kinds of organisms (inhibition <-> facilitation)
1. Serial Stages
1. Pioneer Community – the first community to become established in a once-barren environment; pioneers are the first inhabitants
2. Intermediate Community – communities formed after pioneer community and brings about changes in the ecosystem; formed after pioneer and brings about changes
3. Climax Community – a relatively stable, long-lasting more complex and inter-related community of plants, animals, fungi and bacteria; stable, diverse and matured
2. Primary and Secondary Succession
1. Primary Succession – begins with bare rock or mineral surfaces, pure sand, standing water or cooling of lava
2. Secondary Succession – begins with the destruction or disturbance of an existing ecosystem such as forest fire, mining, destruction of a natural to convert the land to agricultural use; more rapid process than primary succession; not totally changed
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