Have you ever heard about ecological succession? Succession refers to a series of progressive changes in the composition of an ecological community over time. Ecological succession, therefore, is a change in an ecosystem that occurs when one community replaces another as a result of changing abiotic and biotic factors. There are two types of succession: primary succession and secondary succession.
One type of ecological succession is known as primary succession. Primary succession is the establishment of a community in an area of exposed rock that does not have any topsoil. In primary succession, soil formation occurs through several steps. Lichens and mosses, which are pioneer species, begin to grow on the rock and release acid that breaks down the rocks. When a pioneer species dies, it marks the first stage of soil development.
Another type of succession is called secondary succession. Secondary succession is a predictable and ordered change that takes place after a community of organisms has been removed, but the soil remains intact. In this case, a pioneer species would be a plant that grows since soil already exists from the primary succession stage.
There are three main differences between primary succession and secondary succession. First, secondary succession is much faster than primary succession because the soil is already present during the earlier stage. The second difference is the presence of soil, which remains after primary succession and continues into secondary succession. The last difference is their pioneer species. Pioneer species for primary succession include lichens, which are fungi and some plant-like organisms. However, for secondary succession, the pioneer species are plants that grow in the soil.
Today’s essay explained the two types of ecological succession: primary and secondary succession, and compared them. They differ in speed, pioneer species, and the existence of soil. Furthermore, we cannot predict the outcome of succession due to human activities and climate change. To maintain these natural processes, we should work to combat global warming!
By. James Yoon