What does secondary succession typically involve?

Secondary succession typically involves areas that have previously been occupied by living organisms. This type of ecological succession occurs in environments that have been disturbed but where soil and biological legacies still exist, allowing for a relatively quicker recovery of the ecosystem. Examples of events that can trigger secondary succession include forest fires, floods, or human activities that disturb the landscape, but do not strip it of all life and soil.

In these scenarios, existing seeds, roots, and organisms can facilitate the regrowth of vegetation and the reestablishment of the ecosystem. As such, secondary succession is characterized by a series of stages where pioneer species are followed by intermediate species, and eventually a climax community is formed, restoring the ecological balance over time. This contrasts with primary succession, where the process begins from bare rock or a completely barren environment.