Succession has multiple meanings depending on the context:
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Ecological Succession: In ecology, succession refers to the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. It involves a series of stages in which one ecological community replaces another. There are two main types of succession: primary succession, which occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed (like bare rock), and secondary succession, which occurs in areas where an ecosystem has been disturbed but soil and some organisms still exist (like after a forest fire).
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Legal or Corporate Succession: In legal or corporate contexts, succession refers to the process by which one entity (such as a person or organization) takes over the rights and responsibilities of another. This can pertain to inheritance, where an heir succeeds to a deceased person's estate, or in business, where ownership or management is passed on to another individual or group.
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Succession in Government: In governance, succession often pertains to the transfer of power or authority, such as the process of appointing a new leader or head of state after the current leader's term ends, or in the event of death or resignation.
In summary, succession generally refers to a sequence in which entities, communities, or authorities follow one another over time.