Ecological succession

Ecological succession is the process of how species compositions change in an ecological community over time.^[1]

The two main categories of ecological succession are primary succession and secondary succession. Primary succession occurs after the initial colonization of a newly created habitat with no living organisms. Secondary succession occurs after a disturbance such as fire, habitat destruction, or a natural disaster destroys a pre-existing community.^[2]

Both consistent patterns and variability are observed in ecological succession. Theories of ecological succession identify different factors that help explain why plant communities change the way they do.^[3]

Succession was among the first theories advanced in ecology.^[4] Ecological succession was first documented in the Indiana Dunes of Northwest Indiana by Henry Chandler Cowles during the late 19th century and remains a main ecological topic of study.^[5] Over time, the understanding of succession has changed to include a more complex cyclical model that argues organisms do not have fixed roles or relationships.^[6] Ecologists and conservationists have since used the theory of succession to aid in developing ecological restoration strategies.^[7]

^ Drury, W. H.; Nisbet, I. C. T. (1973). "Succession". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 54 (3): 331–368. doi:10.5962/p.325716 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
^ Fisher MR (2018). Environmental Biology. Open Oregon Educational Resources.
^ Lourens Poorter; Lucy Amissah; Frans Bongers; et al. (16 July 2023). "Successional theories". Biological Reviews. 98 (6): 2049–2077. doi:10.1111/BRV.12995. ISSN 1464-7931. Wikidata Q125427930.
^ McIntosh, Robert P. (February 1980). "The background and some current problems of theoretical ecology". Synthese. 43 (2): 195–255. doi:10.1007/BF00413926. ISSN 0039-7857.
^ Smith S, Mark S (January 2009). "The historical roots of The Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland region: from science to preservation". South Shore Journal. 3: 1–10.
^ Middleton, Beth A. (2016). Succession in wetlands. Springer. ISBN 978-94-007-6172-8.
^ Barry, D. (2009-11-09). "New Models for Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration Richard J. Hobbs Katharine Suding, editors. 2008. Washington DC: Island Press. Cloth, $90. ISBN: 978-1-59726-184-5. Paper, $50. IS BN: 978-1-59726-185-2. 366 pages". Ecological Restoration. 27 (4): 494–496. doi:10.3368/er.27.4.494. ISSN 1522-4740.

[1] Drury, W. H.; Nisbet, I. C. T. (1973). "Succession". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 54 (3): 331–368. doi:10.5962/p.325716 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[Fisher-20182-2] Fisher MR (2018). Environmental Biology. Open Oregon Educational Resources.

[3] Lourens Poorter; Lucy Amissah; Frans Bongers; et al. (16 July 2023). "Successional theories". Biological Reviews. 98 (6): 2049–2077. doi:10.1111/BRV.12995. ISSN 1464-7931. Wikidata Q125427930.

[4] McIntosh, Robert P. (February 1980). "The background and some current problems of theoretical ecology". Synthese. 43 (2): 195–255. doi:10.1007/BF00413926. ISSN 0039-7857.

[southshorejournal.org2-5] Smith S, Mark S (January 2009). "The historical roots of The Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland region: from science to preservation". South Shore Journal. 3: 1–10.

[middleton2-6] Middleton, Beth A. (2016). Succession in wetlands. Springer. ISBN 978-94-007-6172-8.

[7] Barry, D. (2009-11-09). "New Models for Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration Richard J. Hobbs Katharine Suding, editors. 2008. Washington DC: Island Press. Cloth, $90. ISBN: 978-1-59726-184-5. Paper, $50. IS BN: 978-1-59726-185-2. 366 pages". Ecological Restoration. 27 (4): 494–496. doi:10.3368/er.27.4.494. ISSN 1522-4740.

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Ecological succession

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