Succession is the process by which one community of plants and animals gradually replaces another over time. This can happen after a disturbance, like a fire or a flood, which clears the area and allows new life to grow. For example, after a forest fire, grasses and wildflowers may be the first to appear, followed by shrubs and eventually trees as the ecosystem matures. There are two main types of succession: primary and secondary. Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas, such as after a volcanic eruption, where soil has yet to form. In contrast, secondary succession happens in areas where a disturbance has cleared out existing life but soil remains, like after a hurricane or logging.