succession

The succession of plant types along a lake. As the lake gradually fills in, a mature climax community of trees forms inland from the shore. Extending out from the shore, a series of plant communities can be discerned with small, rapidly growing species closest to the shore.

In ecology, a series of changes that occur in the structure and composition of the vegetation in a given area from the time it is first colonized by plants (primary succession), or after it has been disturbed by fire, flood, or clearing (secondary succession).

If allowed to proceed undisturbed, succession leads naturally to a stable climax community (for example, oak and hickory forest or savannah grassland) that is determined by the climate and soil characteristics of the area.