Examples of Primary Succession in the Island of Lawahii and the Patterns Associated with These Types of Succession
Lawahii was formed by the erruption of an undersea volcano in the middle of the Pacific Ocean west of Hawaii and east of Japan. After hundreds of years plants sprouted on Lawahii. The gradual growth of vegetation in Lawahii is an example of primary succession. The pattern of primary succession is from no soil and being covered in ash and rock to the growth of pioneer species such as lichens and moss to developing weeds, shrubs and trees.
Examples of Secondary Succession on the Island of Lawahii and the Patterns Associated with These Types of Succession
Several centuries after the island of Lawahii formed, a fire boke out killing all of the vegetation and animals that thrived on this ecosystem. Plants gradually begun to grow once again on this island. Plants growing once again on Lawahii after a disturbance such as a fire are examples of secondary succession. The pattern of secondary succession is from as ecosystem being disturbed by man or elemental forces to growing annual plants which are then followed by perennial plants to the growth of shrubs and eventually the growth of trees. Secondary succession is much more rapid than primary succession since the vital elements such as soil, nutrients and seeds are already present at the location at least to some extent