Chapter 5, Problem 45A

Summary Introduction

To discuss: The stages of secondary succession after a forest fire.

Introduction: Succession is known as the evolution of ecological structure of a biological community.

Explanation of Solution

In secondary succession, plants as well as animals recolonize a habitat after their natural habitat has been disturbed or shattered due to events such as floods, lava flow, wildfire, landslides or human activities.

Secondary succession occurs in order and is a predictable change.

Pioneer species, especially, plants start to grow in the disturbed area. They are the first species to start secondary succession.

Stages of secondary succession after a forest fire are:

Years	Growth areas
0 year	No growth is seen.
1-2 years	Annual plants begin to grow.
3-4 years	Grasses and herbs grow.
4-15 years	Shrubs start to grow.
5-15 years	Pines begin to grow.
10-30 years	Young oaks and hickory grow.
50-75 years	Pines die, oak and hickory begin to mature.
Last stage	Forest is turned into matured oak and hickory forest.

Conclusion

End point of succession after a disturbance which cannot be predicted. Natural communities are changing constantly at various rates, and the process of succession is very slow.