Ecological succession?

Changes in communities occur over time in a process called ecological succession. This process occurs as a series of slow, generally orderly changes in the number and kinds of organisms that live in an area take place. Differences in the intensity of sunlight, protection from wind, and changes in the soil may alter the kinds of organisms that live in an area. These changes may also alter the number of populations that make up the community. Then, as the number and kinds of species change, the physical and chemical characteristics of the area undergo further changes. The area may reach a relatively stable condition called the climax community, which may last hundreds or even thousands of years.

Ecologists distinguish two types of succession--primary and secondary. In primary succession, organisms begin to inhabit an area that had no life, such as a new island formed by a volcanic eruption. Secondary succession takes place after an existing community suffers a major disruption--for example, after a climax forest community is destroyed by fire. In this example, a meadow community of wild flowers and grasses will grow first, followed by a community of shrubs. Finally trees will reappear, and the area will eventually become a forest again. Thus, the forces of nature ultimately cause even climax communities to change.

Some excellent books to refer to:-

Allaby, Michael, ed. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Ecology. Oxford, 1994.

Hall, Charles A. S., and others. Energy and Resource Quality: The Ecology of the Economic Process. 1986. Reprint. Univ. Pr. Of Colo., 1992.

Harte, John. The Green Fuse: An Ecological Odyssey. Univ. Of Calif. Pr., 1993. Discusses environmental issues.

Odum, Eugene P. Ecology and Our Endangered Life-Support Systems. 2nd ed. Sinauer, 1993.

Scott, Michael. Ecology. Oxford, 1995. Younger readers.

Wilson, Edward O. The Diversity of Life. Belknap, 1992.