ecological succession

USAGE SUMMARY

'ecological succession' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of change in an ecosystem over time, typically following a disturbance or disruption such as a fire, flood, or other natural disaster. For example, "After the forest fire, the area underwent rapid ecological succession, as new species moved in and increased the biodiversity of the ecosystem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The American botanists studied the development of plant communities, or succession (see community ecology: Ecological succession).

Encyclopedia Britannica

What Is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Ecological Succession?

Britannica

ecological successionThe process of ecological succession that follows a disturbance.

Britannica

Ecological succession leads to chemosynthesis in mats colonizing wood in sea water.

Nature

Ecological succession is the process by which the structure of a biological community changes over time.

Britannica

Pielou, E. C. Species-diversity and pattern-diversity in the study of ecological succession.

Nature

They concluded that the Crisp Wall represents an early stage in an Ediacaran ecological succession.

The Guardian

By this process, known as ecological succession, the structure of the community evolves over time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The change of biological communities over time is known as succession, or ecological succession.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(a) Natural ecological succession will be allowed to operate freely to the extent feasible.

Cornell University

Ecological succession is the sequential stages of community development on newly exposed or disturbed sites.

Insect Ecology An Ecosystem Approach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the stages of ecosystem restoration after a disturbance, use "ecological succession" to accurately convey the gradual and predictable sequence of community changes.

Common error

Avoid using "ecological succession" to describe short-term, cyclical changes within an ecosystem. The term refers to long-term, directional changes in community structure and composition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ecological succession" functions as a noun phrase, denoting a fundamental ecological process. As Ludwig AI explains, it accurately describes the progressive changes in a biological community over time. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various scientific and educational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

News & Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ecological succession" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the progressive changes in an ecosystem over time. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's mainly used in scientific, academic, and educational contexts to explain ecosystem dynamics and development. Related phrases include "ecosystem development" and "community dynamics". When using this term, ensure you're referring to long-term directional changes, not short-term fluctuations. Remember that factors like climate change can significantly impact the process of "ecological succession".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biotic succession

Refers to the sequential changes in living organisms within an ecosystem.

community succession

Focuses on the changes in the community of organisms present in a given area over time.

successional stages

Emphasizes the different phases or steps in the process of ecological change.

ecological development

Similar to ecosystem development but with a broader ecological scope, not limited to just the ecosystem itself.

sequential ecosystem change

Highlights the ordered and step-by-step nature of the changes occurring in the ecosystem.

ecosystem development

Focuses on the progressive changes in an ecosystem's structure and function, emphasizing the development aspect.

community dynamics

Highlights the interactions and changes within a biological community over time, rather than the sequential nature of succession.

vegetation change

Specifically refers to alterations in plant communities, a key component of ecological succession.

environmental recovery

Focuses on the restoration of an ecosystem after a disturbance, a specific instance where ecological succession is present.

habitat regeneration

Highlights the renewal and restoration of a habitat, a process facilitated by ecological succession.

FAQs

How is "ecological succession" used in a sentence?

"Ecological succession" describes the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time. For example, "After the volcanic eruption, the island underwent a period of rapid "ecological succession" as pioneer species colonized the barren landscape".

What are some alternative terms for "ecological succession"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ecosystem development", "community dynamics", or "biotic succession" to describe similar concepts.

What's the difference between primary and secondary "ecological succession"?

Primary "ecological succession" occurs in newly formed or exposed land, while secondary succession occurs in areas that have been disturbed but still have soil.

How does climate change affect "ecological succession"?

Climate change can alter the rate and direction of "ecological succession" by changing environmental conditions, favoring some species over others, and introducing new disturbances.