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Forest Fire
A forest fire rages through and destroys the current ecosystem. A tragedy begins the start of secondary succession. Secondary successios happens when a disaster destroys a previous ecosystem and another ecosystem is established afterwards. Primary succession is where an ecosystem slowly developes where nothing was before. Ecological succession occurs when an ecosystem gradually changes in an orderly fashion until a stable climax is established. -
After the Forest Fire
The aftermaths of the forest fire leaves the ecosystem looking like this. Eutrophication is a way in which the ecosystem gains vital nutrients. -
Pioneer Species: Annual Species
In 1-2 years annual plants begin to grow again in the ruined ecosystem. These plants are known as the pioneer species because they are the first species to inhabit a previously uninhabitated land. -
Pioneer Species: Grasses and Perennials
The ecosystem produces grasses and perennials 3-4 years later. -
Intermediate Species: Grasses, Shrubs, Pines, Young Oak and Hickory
5-150 years later the medium sized plant species begin to grow. -
Climax Community: Mature Oak and Hickory Forest
A climax community can come up to 150 years later. A climax community occurs when the ecosystem reaches a study state.
