What is secondary succession?

Secondary succession refers to the process of ecological recovery and development that occurs in an area where an existing ecosystem has been disturbed or destroyed but where soil and some organisms still remain. This type of succession typically follows events such as wildfires, hurricanes, or human activities like farming or logging.

In contrast to primary succession, which occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed, secondary succession begins in environments that already have a pre-existing biological community and features such as soil. This soil provides a foundation that allows for quicker regrowth of vegetation and the re-establishment of the ecosystem compared to primary succession.

The presence of residual soil, nutrients, and organisms allows for the rapid colonization of species that can thrive in the altered environment, thereby leading to a faster recovery and a more complex community over time. This aspect of secondary succession underscores its commonality on previously existing surfaces, making it a fundamental aspect of ecosystem dynamics and resilience.