Succession – A series of changes in a ecosystem over the passing
of time. The rate and type of succession is determined by many
biotic and abiotic factors
Ex. A grassy field  shrubby field  young forest  mature
forest climax forest
Disturbances can either speed up, slow down, or change the type of
succession. List some examples.
Pond Succession
Pioneer stage
- bare muddy or sandy bottom
- algae is the primary producer
- caddisfly larva and certain fish that nest or burrow in the
bottom
Submergent plant stage
- organisms decay forming soil on the bottom
- small aquatic plants grow but do not reach the surface
- dragonfly and mayfly larva as well as weedy bottom fish
Emergent plant stage
- pond continue to fill with decayed matter and larger plants
grown through the surface
- cattails, bulrushes, and water lilies
- frogs, turtles, salamanders, few fish, worms, etc.
- bacteria consume a lot of oxygen so less is available to
animals
Marsh
- no large areas of open water – covered with vegetation
- truly aquatic animas like fish can no longer survive
Swamp
- marsh becomes drier filling with more soil
- trees start growing like swamp maple and willow
Forest
- swamp fills in with soil and becomes dry
- drier trees dominate like beech and maple