Ecological Succession
The predictable, directional change in community composition over time following a disturbance. Pioneer species colonize first, gradually replaced by species better adapted to the changing environment they create.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 4 chapters:
"...e ecosystems through infrastructure and habitat modification. Both create disproportionate impact relative to their direct economic footprint.** Ecological Succession: Markets Mature in Stages In 2015, a volcanic island named Hunga Tonga emerged from the South Pacific after an underwater eruption."
"Book 4, Chapter 8: Forest Succession - From Pioneer to Climax Part 1: The Biology of Ecological Succession Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. The blast killed 57 people, destroyed 250 homes, and obliterated 230 square miles of forest."
"Chapter 1: Ecological Succession - The Long Arc of Renewal Introduction On the morning of May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupted with the force of 500 Hirosh..."
"... resources. --- *Conclusion: We've journeyed through eight chapters exploring how biological principles illuminate organizational challenges - from ecological succession (long-term renewal) to nutrient cycling (complete resource loops) to death and decomposition (transforming endings into beginnings)."
Biological Context
After a forest fire, grasses and herbs appear first (pioneer stage), followed by shrubs, then fast-growing trees, finally slow-growing climax forest species. Each stage modifies the environment, making it suitable for the next. Succession can take decades to centuries.
Business Application
Markets undergo succession: pioneers establish categories (early websites), followed by optimizers (search engines), then consolidators (platforms). Understanding where a market is in succession reveals appropriate strategies.