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Ecological secondary succession occurs in four distinct phases: First, rapid colonization of cleared land by species such as herbs, shrubs, and climbers as well as seedlings from pioneer tree species occurs and this can last up to three years. After that, short lived but fast growing shade intolerant species form a canopy over 10 to 30 years. Non-pioneer heliophilic (sun-loving) tree species then add to the biomass and species richness as well as shade tolerant species and this can last 75 to 150 years. Finally, shade-tolerant species regain full canopy stature indefinitely until another major disturbance occurs.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Miguel Martínez-Ramos |author2=Elena Alvarez-Buylla |author3=José Sarukhán |title=Tree Demography and Gap Dynamics in a Tropical Rain Forest|journal=Ecology|date=June 1989|volume=70|issue=3|pages=555–558|doi=10.2307/1940203|jstor=1940203 }}</ref>
Secondary succession in the tropics begins with [[pioneer species]], which are rapidly growing and include vines and shrubs. Once these species are established, large heliophilic species will develop such as heliconias. Cecropias are also a major pioneering tree in the tropics and they are adapted to grow well where forest gaps are giving way to sunlight. Shade-tolerant species that have remained low in the forest develop and become much taller. These successional phases do not have definite order or structure and because of the very high biodiversity in the tropics, there is a lot of competition for resources such as soil nutrients and sunlight.
==Examples of tree dynamics==
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