Final answer:
Ecological succession is the process of community change in an ecosystem, occurring after a disturbance. It includes primary succession, starting on barren land, and secondary succession, occurring where remnants of a previous community exist.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ecological Succession Defined
Ecological succession is the process that describes the gradual replacement of one community by another in an ecosystem over time. This process can be triggered by a myriad of factors such as natural disturbances, like wildfires or floods, as well as human activities such as deforestation or agricultural abandonment. There are two types of succession: primary succession and secondary succession. Primary succession occurs on newly exposed or formed land where no soil exists, and life forms begin to inhabit the area for the first time. Secondary succession happens in areas where an ecosystem has been disturbed but soil and some remnants of the previous biological community remain, allowing for a quicker recovery of the area.
During succession, ecosystems undergo several changes in their plant and animal composition. Whether on new land (primary succession) or in an established area that has been disturbed (secondary succession), a predictable pattern of growth and development typically takes place, leading to a more or less permanent community.