Fox Creek Park - Test Plot #1
Ecological Succession describes the way that natural areas recover from disturbance and the plants and animals that colonize the area over time
In areas that were previously occupied by living organisms but have been disturbed (e.g., by fire, logging, or flooding), the soil and some seeds or roots may remain. The recovery process begins with the re-establishment of the existing plant communities and the eventual return of other species.
The stages of succession can vary depending on the specific environment and the type of disturbance, but they generally involve the following:
· Pioneer Stage: Early colonizers, like lichens and mosses, which are adapted to harsh conditions.
· Colonization: The gradual establishment of other species, like grasses and shrubs, as the environment becomes more suitable.
· Diversity: As the community develops, it becomes more diverse with the addition of larger organisms and more complex food chains.
· Climax Community: A stable and relatively unchanging community, characterized by its dominant plant and animal species, which is reached after a long period of succession.
Can you identify any of these inhabitents of Test Plot #1?
