Primary Succession
Ecological succession that begins on bare substrate where no soil exists—newly exposed rock, volcanic islands, or retreating glaciers. Starts from scratch with no legacy of previous life.
Biological Context
Primary succession is slow because soil must be created. Pioneer species like lichens and mosses begin breaking down rock, accumulating organic matter over decades to centuries. Eventually soil supports increasingly complex communities. Primary succession can take thousands of years to reach climax.
Business Application
Primary succession in business: building entirely new markets with no existing infrastructure—new technologies requiring new distribution, new regulations, new customer behaviors. Slower and riskier than entering established markets but potentially more rewarding.