In ecological succession, one ecological community gradually changes into another more mature, or developed community. If the succession has to start after an ecosystem is completely destroyed, and soil must be remade, we refer to it as primary succession. If an ecosystem is damaged, but there
is still soil present, the plant life will regrow, in what is called secondary succession.
Put these steps in the proper order of ecological succession
= Molten lava flows during a volcanic eruption. As the lava cools, it hardens into bare rock.
= Lichens blowing in the air settles on the rock. Lichens releases acid that helps weather the rock and create thin soil
= Lichens add nutrients to the soil as they die and decay
= Mosses and ferns settle onto the thin soil and add to the soil when they die and decay. Insects and other small organisms move into the area,
= After many years, the soil is deep and has enough nutrients for grasses, shrubs and trees.
= Eventually, a climax community develops.