Final answer:
After a forest fire, the natural process of recovery for the ecosystem where life previously existed is known as secondary succession. It begins with pioneer species and evolves over time to rebuild a complex community culminating in a climax community similar to the original forest.
Step-by-step explanation:
After a forest fire, the habitat that has been cleared of its vegetation goes through a natural recovering process called secondary succession. Unlike primary succession that starts on bare, lifeless ground, secondary succession happens in areas where life has previously existed and the soil contains nutrients. Following the destruction, the area initially may look devastated, but seeds that survived underground begin to sprout. Starting with pioneer species such as grasses, the succession leads to more complex communities and eventually results in a climax community that resembles the pre-disturbance state.
A classic example of this process occurs in forests devastated by wildfire where most vegetation is burnt down and animals may be killed. However, their nutrients are returned to the soil in the form of ash, providing a fertile foundation for new growth. As a result, following a wildfire, the first plants to return are typically annual plants, followed by rapidly spreading grasses and other pioneer species, then shrubs, and eventually, after many years, a forest of tall trees regains dominance.