Why does ecological succession take place?

Ecological succession occurs due to the changes in physical environment and population of species.

In an ecosystem, a species requires a particular set of environmental conditions under which they grow and reproduce. Once the environmental conditions alter, the first species may fail to flourish and another species may thrive.

Drastic and sudden changes like fires and storms, may also cause ecological succession. Under such conditions, the dynamics of an ecological community may alter, triggering a struggle for dominance amongst the existing species.

Succession may be brought about due to

1. Initial causes :- these include factors responsible for the destruction of existing habitats.
   • climatic factors : wind, deposits, fires.
   • biotic factors : includes various activities of an organism.

2. Continuing factors:- these are factors responsible for changes in population shifting features of an area and is also known as ecesis. This migration may occur
   • for safety against outside aggregation.
   • due to industrialisation and urbanisation.
   • as a result of local problems.
   • or for reasons of competition.

3. Stabilizing causes:- that may bring stability to the communities e.g. - fertility of land - climatic conditions of an area - abundance or availability of minerals.

Ecological succession occurs due to natural disturbances or changes in environmental conditions, leading to the sequential replacement of species over time.