In biology, succession refers to the directional, predictable change in species composition and ecosystem structure over time following a disturbance or the creation of new substrate. It encompasses primary succession, initiated on previously uninhabited surfaces lacking soil (e.g., lava flows, glacial retreats), and secondary succession, occurring where communities are removed but soils and propagules remain. Succession involves colonization, establishment, and competitive replacement of species, driven by interactions among organisms, resource availability, and abiotic conditions. It results in changes in biomass, productivity, nutrient cycling, and community complexity, often trending toward a relatively stable, late-successional or “climax” community under given environmental regimes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have analyzed 96 years of forest census data to better understand ecological changes and inform management practices.
Plants & Animals
Jul 24, 2025
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25
Once floodwaters subside, talk of planned retreat inevitably rises.
Environment
Apr 13, 2025
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35
