Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do ecosystems recover after a natural disaster?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A tundra landscape in summer on the Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, with grassy hills, scattered rocks, and shallow lakes or streams under a cloudy sky. — ecosystem Tundra and lakes during summer in the Yamal Peninsula of Siberia, Russia. Tundra ecosystems are found primarily in the Low Arctic region of North America and Eurasia. Most regions—with the exception of rock outcrops, dry ridge tops, and river gravel bars—are fully vegetated, primarily by dwarf shrubs, lichens, and mosses.

Ecosystems recover from natural disasters through a process called ecological succession. This is the gradual change in the structure of a biological community over time.1

There are two main types of succession:

Primary succession occurs in barren habitats where no life existed before, such as after a lava flow.1
Secondary succession begins after a major disturbance, like a wildfire or flood, has altered an area but not rendered it completely lifeless. In these cases, the soil often retains seeds and nutrients, allowing for regrowth.12

In both scenarios, pioneer species, such as lichens and fast-growing plants, are the first to colonize the disturbed area. They help create soil and pave the way for more complex plant and animal communities to establish themselves over time, eventually leading to a stable ecosystem.31