BioDiT Citrus: Exhibit 06: Ecological Disturbance and Succession

EXHIBIT 06

From atmospheric events to geological events to human activity, there are forces that can alter ecosystem structure.  Events that disrupt ecosystem structure by causing large-scale loss of organismal life are called disturbances.  Following a disturbance, the process of ecological succession occurs, which leads to a restructuring of the disrupted ecosystem.  Sometimes succession proceeds climax communities like forest ecosystems.  Other times, additional disturbances occur, resulting in a state of continual succession.  The following three videos will give you a better understanding of types of disturbance, timelines for succession, and how humans are both causes of disturbance and impacted by the resulting succession.