Succession
One of the easiest ways to observe the effects of succession in the marine biome is through the coral reefs. Primary succession deals with the gradual growth of the plant life in an ecosystem over time where there was previously no vegetation or soil to support that life. Secondary succession, on the other hand, takes place when plants and animals are replaced fro a location that has been disturbed but previously supported life.
Coral is the perfect example of both types of succession. Primary succession occurs as a volcano erupts and lava creates a blank slate with no plant life. Coral is deposited and begins to grow on the lava flow. This makes coral an r-selected species because it is the first to colonize. Coral also undergoes secondary succession through the process of spawning where it stacks new offspring on top of itself and creates a reef. This surface allows other species (which are called K-selected) to live and grow.