AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Ecological succession is the process by which the mix of species and habitat in an area changes over time. Gradually, these communities replace one another until a “climax community”-like a mature forest-is reached, or until a disturbance, like a fire, occurs.

Detailed explanation-2: -The form of succession that ends with a climax community is called ecological succession. However, there are two types of ecological succession, known as primary succession and secondary succession.

Detailed explanation-3: -Secondary succession always involves a predictable sequence of species and ends up with the same climax community as existed prior to the disturbance.

Detailed explanation-4: -Two different types of succession-primary and secondary-have been distinguished. Primary succession occurs in essentially lifeless areas-regions in which the soil is incapable of sustaining life as a result of such factors as lava flows, newly formed sand dunes, or rocks left from a retreating glacier.

Detailed explanation-5: -The final stage of succession is called the climax community. The stage leading to the climax community is called successional stages or seres.