Final answer:
Succession refers to the ecological process where plant communities undergo changes over time. This includes primary succession on newly formed land and secondary succession following disturbances in existing areas. Ecologists now view ecosystems as continuously changing rather than reaching a final climax community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the process of plant communities changing over time is succession. Ecological succession involves groups of species which grow and are replaced by other groups as the community matures. This can occur after an ecosystem undergoes a significant change due to natural forces or human actions. There are two types of succession, primary succession and secondary succession. Primary succession occurs in areas that have never been colonized before, while secondary succession happens in areas where a community has been disturbed but remnants remain. The concept of a climax community—a final, stable stage in succession—has become outdated, as ecologists now understand that ecosystems are more dynamic and subject to continuous change.