58 Plant Habitat

Plant communities change over time when their environment changes. Events like fires and storms cause big changes very quickly but do not last. Some changes are slower and longer lasting. For instance, climate change can take some time before its effects become obvious. Change leads to the appearance of new communities. Sometimes over long periods of time a series of different plant communities may be observed. This is called plant succession.

Here’s an example of succession: Imagine a large river changes course after a flood. The leftover waterholes slowly shrink from built up plant debris, which support a pioneering community. Over the years, litter etc. will build up, supporting a different plant community. Slowly changes in soil and water might lead to a climax community (the end point of the process).