Succession on bare rock

1. Nudation. Development of bare areas without any form of life.

Stages of biotic succession.

2. Invasion. It is the successful establishment of a species in a bare area. It is completed in migration, establishment and aggregation of species. The species to appear first are lichens, followed by mosses and annual grasses. Mosses grow in bunch and along with lichens form a mat over the substratum. They join pioneer community.

3. Competition and co-action. Large number of individuals of the species of a limited place develop competition for food and space.

4. Reaction. It is most important in succession. It is the mechanism of modification of environment through the influence of living organisms (both plants and animals). Changes take place, annual grasses, perennial herbs, shrubs and finally trees along with their characteristic animal communities appear. There is accumulation of soil.

5. Stabilization. The final terminal community called climax community formed in forests or grasslands is not replaced and becomes more or less stabilized for a longer period of time. To reach at the climax stage may take hundreds of years.

The fourth stages of succession will have the greatest diversity of species.