Secondary succession is a natural process of ecological recovery that occurs after a disturbance, such as a fire or a clear-cutting. During secondary succession, new plants and animals colonize the area, and the soil gradually becomes richer in nutrients. As the plants grow, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and store the carbon in their tissues.
As the plants die and decompose, the carbon in their tissues is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide or is stored in the soil. This process contributes to the carbon cycle by cycling carbon through the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.
In addition, secondary succession can also lead to the establishment of new forests, which are important carbon sinks. Forests absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Overall, secondary succession plays an important role in the carbon cycle by facilitating the growth and storage of plants, which helps to regulate the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.