Ecological succession
-- Changes in the composition or
structure of an ecological community
Types of ecological succession:
• Primary succession
• Secondary succession
• Seasonal (cyclic) succession
Successional modes
Primary succession
• Cataclysmic disturbance
• Pioneer species are adapted to
extreme environments
• Pioneer species make new soil
so that other plants can
eventually live there too
Secondary succession
• Ecological disturbance such as:
– Wildfire
– Pollution
– Storm
• Pioneer species colonize
existing soil once inhabited by
other species
Ecological succession
Cataclysmic
event
• Volcanic eruption
• Nuclear explosion
Primary
succession
• Pioneer species
make new soil
• Lichens, fungi,
algae
Period of
gradual
ecosystem
development
Period of
gradual
ecosystem
development
Ecological
equilibrium
• Niches are filled
• Relatively slow
ecological change
Secondary
succession
• New species
invade to fill
available niches
Minor
ecological
disturbance
Primary succession
Secondary succession
Ecological equilibrium
• Also called dynamic or climax equilibrium
• Environment is in a relatively steady state
• Biological invasion must occur through
competition alone
Example: Hawai’ian Islands
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
(CATA_______ EVENT)
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
(CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
(CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island
is the site of active
volcanism
(CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
• Species colonizing
nearest the volcanoes are
_______ SPECIES
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
(CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
• Species colonizing nearest
the volcanoes are PIONEER
SPECIES
– Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
(CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
• Species colonizing nearest
the volcanoes are PIONEER
SPECIES
– Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses
– Pioneer species make ____
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
(CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
• Species colonizing nearest
the volcanoes are PIONEER
SPECIES
– Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses
– Pioneer species make SOIL
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• Chain of islands being
actively formed
• Oldest and largest island is
the site of active volcanism
(CATACLYSMIC EVENT)
• Species colonizing nearest
the volcanoes are PIONEER
SPECIES
– Algae, lichens, moss, fungi, grasses
– Pioneer species make SOIL
PRIMARY SUCCESSION
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• No cataclysmic events on
older islands (Kauai,
Oahu) in recent geologic
history
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• No cataclysmic events on
older islands (Kauai,
Oahu) in recent geologic
history
• Species colonizing
existing habitats are
performing _________
SUCCESSION
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• No cataclysmic events on
older islands (Kauai,
Oahu) in recent geologic
history
• Species colonizing
existing habitats are
performing SECONDARY
SUCCESSION
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• No cataclysmic events on
older islands (Kauai,
Oahu) in recent geologic
history
• Species colonizing
existing habitats are
performing SECONDARY
SUCCESSION
Older islands are in a state of
ECOLOGICAL ___________
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
• No cataclysmic events on
older islands (Kauai,
Oahu) in recent geologic
history
• Species colonizing
existing habitats are
performing SECONDARY
SUCCESSION
Older islands are in a state of
ECOLOGICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
________ SUCCESSION – Mauna Loa/Hualalai saddle, Big Island
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
PRIMARY SUCCESSION – Mauna Loa/Hualalai saddle, Big Island
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
___________ SUCCESSION – Kalaulau valley, Kauai
Ecological succession in Hawai’i
SECONDARY SUCCESSION – Kalaulau valley, Kauai