Primary succession is the creation of a new community after a devastating event wipes out all the organisms that used to live in the area. For instance, lava from a volcano can cause massive destruction and destroy plants and other organisms, wiping out the entire community. When other new organisms try to take over and colonize the destroyed community, primary succession occurs. These new organisms are known as pioneer species. Pioneer species such as fungi, algae, and lichens take over the land and decompose of the wastes and try to rebuild the community in such a way so that other animals can thrive in the environment. As each new animal colonizes the new community, they modify the environment and its conditions in their own ways to make the community more suitable to live in.
Generally, primary succession takes hundreds of years. It begins with no life present, mostly just bare rock. Then, mosses and lichens, known as the pioneer species, invade the area and grow, leaving behind soil as they die. The soil develops and becomes fertile enough for small shrubs and plants (the intermediate species) to grow. As the plants and shrubs grow, the soil thickens and becomes richer and eventually, trees start to grow. As the trees and plants continue to grow, it attracts wildlife and animals start to inhibit the land and create a new community known as the climax community.
Generally, primary succession takes hundreds of years. It begins with no life present, mostly just bare rock. Then, mosses and lichens, known as the pioneer species, invade the area and grow, leaving behind soil as they die. The soil develops and becomes fertile enough for small shrubs and plants (the intermediate species) to grow. As the plants and shrubs grow, the soil thickens and becomes richer and eventually, trees start to grow. As the trees and plants continue to grow, it attracts wildlife and animals start to inhibit the land and create a new community known as the climax community.
Secondary succession is similar to primary succession except that in secondary session some life is still present after an environmental disaster. In primary succession, there is no life left and it is impossible to recreate life unless the community is decomposed and altered by the pioneer species. However, in secondary succession, some wildlife still exists after a devastating event and thus, life can continue to live on its own. Through homeostasis, the environment tries to maintain its conditions in order for life to continuing growing. Although secondary succession can occur in terrestrial environments, it is most common in forests.
Secondary succession starts off with a natural disaster that usually kills or drives away the animals and leaves the soil. After the disaster, pioneer plants like grasses and weeds grow in the soil and might cause the re-growth of other plants in the soil. The pioneer plants are then replaced with shrubs and small trees which eventually grow into larger trees and attract animals to inhibit the land once again. The community then reaches an equilibrium and creates a climate community.
Secondary succession starts off with a natural disaster that usually kills or drives away the animals and leaves the soil. After the disaster, pioneer plants like grasses and weeds grow in the soil and might cause the re-growth of other plants in the soil. The pioneer plants are then replaced with shrubs and small trees which eventually grow into larger trees and attract animals to inhibit the land once again. The community then reaches an equilibrium and creates a climate community.