Secondary Succession

1964

1972

1980

1992

Fallow for one year

Fallow for 5 years. Dominant plant = Goldenrods

Fallow 10 years. Forbs more diverse. Woody plants begin moving in.

15 to 20 years of secondary succession.

15 to 20 years of secondary succession. Habitat has become shrubby, still grasses and forbs in open areas.

15 to 20 years of secondary succession. Habitat has become shrubby, still grasses and forbs in open areas. Diversity is increasing.

15 to 20 years of secondary succession. Habitat has become shrubby, still grasses and forbs in open areas. Diversity is increasing. Trees will form a canopy that will choke out light.

25 year old sugar maple woodlot. Canopy has eliminated much ground cover. Shade makes soil moister and cooler.

Succession takes time. Changes from limited diversity to high diversity. Ultimately returns to the climax community.

Successional changes are often characterized by plants but they bring new animals as well. In a fallow field, only field animals will find what they need.

Successional changes are often characterized by plants but they bring new animals as well. In a fallow field, only field animals will find what they need. Forest animals can’t live in the sun drenched, dry field with no shade or soil moisture.

As the field becomes shrubby, some of the field inhabitants will no longer stay.

As the field becomes shrubby, some of the field inhabitants will no longer stay. It might not be open enough for them or perhaps the plants whose seeds they feed upon cannot compete with the growing canopy.

As a young forest begins to develop, many animals that inhabit shrubby habitats will have left. New species of both plants and animals move in. A major change that occurs as the canopy forms is with the climatic conditions.

As a young forest begins to develop, many animals that inhabit shrubby habitats will have left. New species of both plants and animals move in. A major change that occurs as the canopy forms is with the climatic conditions. The shade will cool the soil and it will hold more moisture.

As a young forest begins to develop, many animals that inhabit shrubby habitats will have left. New species of both plants and animals move in. A major change that occurs as the canopy forms is with the climatic conditions. The shade will cool the soil and it will hold more moisture. These conditions invite a whole new community of plants and animals. Many will be canopy dwellers while ground dwellers have less cover and food so they leave.

The previous photos illustrated Secondary Succession.

The previous photos illustrated Secondary Succession. Differs from Primary Succession in that it occurs where soil was already established.

The previous photos illustrated Secondary Succession. Differs from Primary Succession in that it occurs where soil was already established. There was a previous plant and animal community that was removed.

The previous photos illustrated Secondary Succession. Differs from Primary Succession in that it occurs where soil was already established. There was a previous plant and animal community that was removed. Removal can be natural or human caused

The previous photos illustrated Secondary Succession. Differs from Primary Succession in that it occurs where soil was already established. There was a previous plant and animal community that was removed. Removal can be natural or human caused Tornado, hurricane, flood, fire.

The previous photos illustrated Secondary Succession. Differs from Primary Succession in that it occurs where soil was already established. There was a previous plant and animal community that was removed. Removal can be natural or human caused Tornado, hurricane, flood, fire. Plow, Saw, Bulldozer

Ponds also undergo succession. Ponds are very temporary ecosystems. The smaller the pond is, the shorter the time it will last.

This pond has become choked with cattails. As they die and decompose, they produce soil at the bottom of the pond. It grows shallower and the edges grow closer to the middle.

Eventually it will become so shallow that it doesn’t have enough water to support fish.

Eventually it will become so shallow that it doesn’t have enough water to support fish. Frogs, turtles, snakes and other air breathing animals will remain. In very dry weather, it may dry up, but flood again with rainfall.

Eventually enough soil builds that it is only a wet meadow. New species of plants and animals live in such habitats.

Eventually enough soil builds that it is only a wet meadow. New species of plants and animals live in such habitats. Ponds were too wet for them.

Ultimately the forest in the background will grow to over the wet meadow. A one acre pond may only last 100 to 150 years.

Marsh

Swamp

Marsh – wetland dominated by herbaceous (soft stemmed) plants.

Marsh – wetland dominated by herbaceous (soft stemmed) plants. Swamp – wetland dominated by woody stemmed plants.