Succession

Succession is the gradual change in the mix of species in an area over time, following a disturbance. It moves through stages until it reaches a stable climax community.

Succession: bare ground → pioneers → grasses → shrubs → climax community.

• Primary succession starts on bare rock with no soil (e.g. after a lava flow). Pioneer species like lichens slowly build soil — a very slow process.
• Secondary succession starts where soil already remains (e.g. after a fire or flood), so it's much faster.