The Temperate Deciduous Forest: Primary and Secondary Succession

Alyssa Nucci
AP Biology-4

The Temperate Deciduous Forest:

Primary and Secondary Succession

Primary Succession occurs in areas where the soil is incapable of sustaining life. Primary succession begins in desolate areas, first inhabiting lichens or plants that can survive in such an environment. Over hundreds of years, these species convert the environment into soil that is able to sustain simple plants like grasses. These grasses further modify the terrain, and once the soil has eventually reached its optimal richness, other plants can grow and thrive as well. An example of primary succession in the Temperate Deciduous Forest biome is lichens. Lichens are found in these barren areas and are able to give off acid which will degrade the rock present into soil. Once there is soil, moss grows and adds nutrients into the soil. Grasses are now able to form as the soil thickens, eventually providing a home for bushes and small trees. Trees requiring little amounts of nutrients appear next, and over time these deciduous trees will form the canopy within the environment.

Secondary succession occurs in areas where a previously existing community has been removed. Each successive stage further changes the state of the environment, whether that be by modifying the composition of the soil, etc. Secondary succession follows a major disturbance, like a fire or flood. Unlike primary succession, secondary succession occurs in an area where there is already soil, rather than a barren surface. An example of secondary succession is if a fire were to kill a plant and animal community. The area would be left barren again, and the same process and with primary succession would begin again.

Chinwuba, and Chinwuba. “Temperate Deciduous Forest.” Temperate Deciduous Forest, 1 Jan. 1970, apbiologysses.blogspot.com/.

“Primary Succession.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/science/primary-succession.

“Secondary Succession.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/science/secondary-succession.

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