2.8. ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

Succession is a universal process of directional change in vegetation, on an ecological time scale.

Succession occurs when a series of communities replace one another due to large scale destruction either natural or manmade. This process continues - one community replacing another community, until a stable, mature community develops.

Succession is a progressive series of changes which leads to the establishment of a relatively stable climax community.

Ecological Succession

The first plant to colonise an area is called the pioneer community. The final stage of succession is called the climax community. The stage leading to the climax community are called successional stages or seres.

Succession is characterised by the following: increased productivity, the shift of nutrients from’ the reservoirs, increased diversity of organisms with increased niche development, and a gradual increase in the complexity of food webs.