Succession
Primary Succession
After the ice age, the glaciers in the tundra retreated to form lifeless, rocky land that was eventually inhabited by lichens. The rocks that were broken down by lichens over time became soil, and wind battered the lands and lodged organisms into cracks in the rocks, where moss and small plants began to grow. As the organisms decompose, more soil forms until grass is able to survive in the harsh terrain, and gradually, as soil became plentiful, more plants survived and offered energy to the animals that would later populate the area.
Primary Succession
After the ice age, the glaciers in the tundra retreated to form lifeless, rocky land that was eventually inhabited by lichens. The rocks that were broken down by lichens over time became soil, and wind battered the lands and lodged organisms into cracks in the rocks, where moss and small plants began to grow. As the organisms decompose, more soil forms until grass is able to survive in the harsh terrain, and gradually, as soil became plentiful, more plants survived and offered energy to the animals that would later populate the area.
Secondary Succession
In the tundra, it would be possible for a fire or a mudslide to reduce or wipe out an already established ecosystem. In this scenario, secondary succession would be faster than primary succession because soil would already be present and allow other plants and animals to survive.
In the tundra, it would be possible for a fire or a mudslide to reduce or wipe out an already established ecosystem. In this scenario, secondary succession would be faster than primary succession because soil would already be present and allow other plants and animals to survive.