7.

Ecological
Succession
7.1 Succession

Starter

Match up the key

word to the definition

Ecosystem

An ecological factor that makes

up part of the non-biological
environment

Biotic

More or less self-contained

functional unit in ecology made up
of all the interacting biotic and
abiotic factors in an area

Abiotic

The organisms of all species that

live in the same area

Community

An ecological factor that makes

up part of the living environment
of an organism

Learning Objectives
Describe changes that occur in the variety
of species occupying an area over time
Define succession and climax community
Success Criteria
You can describe the order of plant
succession and explain common features
of succession

Succession

The changes, over time, in the species

that occupy a particular area

Succession of bare rock or barren

land

Succession happens when an area is first

colonised. What might happen to cause
this?
A retreating

glacier depositing rock

Wind or sea piling sand into dunes
Volcanoes erupting and depositing lava
Land subsiding and creating lakes or ponds
Silt and mud being deposited at river
estuaries

Pioneer Species
The first stage of succession involves
pioneer species colonising an
inhospitable environment
Pioneer species have features that suit
them to colonisation

Task

In pairs, come up with a list of features

that pioneer species may have, which
would help them to colonise inhospitable
environments

Features of Pioneer Species

Production of a lot of wind-dispersed
seeds to easily reach isolated areas
Rapid germination of seeds
The ability to photosynthesise
The ability to fix nitrogen from the
atmosphere
Tolerance to extreme conditions

Stages of Plant Succession

Stages of Plant Succession

Colonisers (lichens): when they die, they
release nutrients. This changes the abiotic
environment by creating soil.
Mosses, then Ferns: rock is continually
eroded, as these die organic matter
increases, building up soil
Small flowering plants, shrubs then
trees establish

Climax Community
The organisms that make up the final
stage of ecological succession
A balanced equilibrium
In the UK, this is deciduous woodland

Animal Succession
Animal species present depend on the
plant species found in the area
For example, mosses and grasses provide
food and habitats for insects and worms.
These can then support secondary
consumers.

Common features in any

succession
The non-living environment becomes less
hostile
A greater number and variety of habitats
Increased biodiversity
More complex food webs
Increased biomass

Land alteration
Succession also occurs when land is
suddenly altered e.g. from a fire
The area will then undergo succession to
return to a stable, climax community
This type of succession doesnt begin with
a pioneer species

Learning Objectives
Describe changes that occur in the variety
of species occupying an area over time
Define succession and climax community
Success Criteria
You can describe the order of plant
succession and explain common features
of succession