Ecological Succession on Bare Rock: Nitrogen Competition, Shading, and Fire

What is Ecological Succession?

Ecological succession refers to the process by which communities of organisms change over time. It begins with a bare surface, such as exposed rock, and progresses through various stages until a stable ecosystem is established.

On bare rock, initial colonizers are typically hardy species that can survive harsh conditions, eventually paving the way for more complex ecosystems.

Nitrogen Competition

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth. In early stages of succession, nitrogen-fixing pioneer plants convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by other organisms.

These plants often outcompete others due to their ability to access this vital resource, which can be limiting in new environments.

Shading and Light Availability

As shrubs and trees grow, they create dense canopies that reduce light availability for understory plants.

This competition for light influences the types of species that can thrive at different stages of succession, shaping the final ecosystem structure.

Fire Frequency and Its Impact

Fire frequency is a critical factor in determining which plant species dominate an ecosystem. Some plants are adapted to survive fires or even require them for seed germination.

By altering fire frequency through the simulation, you can observe how different plant types respond and influence succession patterns.

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Ecological Succession on Bare Rock: Nitrogen Competition, Shading and Fire and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.