I-bare rocks, II-pioneers (mosses, lichen, algae, fungi), III-annual herbaceous plants, IV-perennial herbaceous plants and grasses, V-shrubs, VI-shade intolerant trees, VII-shade tolerant trees.

The complete process of a primary autotrophic ecological succession involves the following sequential steps, which follow one another: Nudation: ... Invasion: ... Competition and reaction: ... Stabilization or climax:

Succession is the order of colonization of species in an ecosystem from a barren or destroyed area of land. Mosses and lichens are the first species that inhabit an area. They make the area suitable for the growth of larger species such as grasses, shrubs and finally trees.

Succession occurs in stages that are can be seen in all environments. Their are three main forms of succession: primary succession, secondary succession, and cyclic succession. Seral communities and climax communities occur in the intermediate stages of succession.

Succession can happen even in mature or climax communities. For example, when a tree falls in a mature forest, sunlight may again be able to reach the forest floor, which would allow new growth to begin. In this case, succession would begin with new smaller plants. Communities are always changing and growing.

The stages of primary succession include pioneer microorganisms, plants (lichens and mosses), grassy stage, smaller shrubs, and trees. Animals begin to return when there is food there for them to eat. When it is a fully functioning ecosystem, it has reached the climax community stage.

The 5 Stages of Succession are Nudation, Invasion, Competition and Co-action, Reaction, and Climax or Stabilization. At the same location, a succession of biotic communities naturally emerges one after another until the Climax stage is reached.