What biologists refer to as succession usually begins as a result of natural destruction, such as by fire or flood. It can also be caused directly by man; he is responsible for the destruction of a lot of the world’s nature.. Succession, sometimes called secondary 5 succession, will occur when species of nature are destroyed and the land is left alone to recover.

During the early decades of the settlement of North America a lot of beech-maple forest in New England was cut down to make way for 10 farming. However, as is well-known in American history, very many settlers moved west, abandoning their farms. Secondary succession then began in the fields that were left untended. At first, stronger grasses and weeds appeared in the fields. Then, shrubs started growing, followed by a re-emergence of some trees, like junipers and pines. 15 Eventually, beeches and maples were able to grow protected by the other trees, and after a time what was open land had become once again forest.

This is still happening in New England and in many other parts of 20 the world. This does of course mean that there is still hope for our planet, just so long as people keep on moving as they have throughout history. The only real problem is the great amount of time needed to achieve complete secondary succession.