Ecological succession is the process by which the structure of a biological community changes over time. It describes how different plant and animal species can colonize and replace each other in a particular area. There are two main types of ecological succession: primary succession, which occurs on bare, lifeless substrates such as rocks, and secondary succession, which occurs in areas that have previously been inhabited but have been disturbed or altered in some way. The process of ecological succession helps to establish stable and diverse ecosystems over time.
