Term:

Plant succesion

Definition:

The sequence of plant communities that follows after natural or human disturbance.

Notes:

Secondary succession occurs on rock outcrops such as inselbegs that are free of plants after they are formed. In this case, the rocks are first colonized by lichens, algae, bacteria and other organisms. These plants and animals generate the soil needed for other plants to grow such as herbs and grasses which in turn allow the growth of shrubs and small trees.