Final answer:
Apparent climatic succession through time at a given location is the result of ecological succession, a gradual and predictable change in the species composition and community structure of an ecosystem over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Apparent climatic succession through time at a given location is the result of a natural process called ecological succession. Ecological succession is the gradual and predictable change in the species composition and community structure of an ecosystem over time. It occurs in primary succession when a new ecosystem forms in an area without soil, such as after a volcanic eruption. Pioneer species, such as mosses and lichens, colonize the area and gradually create soil through their decomposition. As the soil becomes more developed, other plant species like grasses and shrubs take over, followed by larger trees, leading to the establishment of a forest.