Stages of Ecological Succession

The process of ecological succession involves five stages, which are:

Nudation

This is the development of a vacant area with no life. It can be caused by events like volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, erosion, earthquakes, forest fires, or the spread of disease.

Invasion or Intrusion

This stage involves the establishment of species in a barren area. The seeds or spores of various species arrive in the new or exposed area through air, water, etc., a process called migration. These species then adapt to the conditions, known as ecesis, and multiply, which is called aggregation.

Competition and coaction

As species increase in number, they compete with each other for food, space, and other resources. This competition can be within the same species (intraspecific) or between different species (interspecific), along with interactions with the environment. New species of plants and animals continue to invade.

Reaction

In this phase, living organisms alter the environment through their activities, which is called reaction..

Stabilization

This final stage occurs when the ecosystem becomes stable and balanced for a longer period, resulting in a climax community that is well adapted to the specific environment.

Ecological Succession – Definition, Types, Characteristics, Causes

Ecological succession is the process by which the structure and composition of a biological community change over time. Each of the ecological succession stages is characterized by different species compositions and environmental conditions.

Understanding ecological succession and its types helps in learning the dynamic nature of ecosystems and the complex relationships between organisms and their environment. In this article, we will cover ecological succession in detail.

Table of Content

Ecological Succession

Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
Process of Recolonization
Cyclic Succession
Characteristics of Ecological Succession
Seral Community
Phases of Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession Causes

Examples of Ecological Succession