What term describes the orderly process of change over time in a biological community?

The term that describes the orderly process of change over time in a biological community is succession. This concept refers to the gradual and predictable changes in species composition and community structure in an ecosystem after a disturbance or the creation of a new habitat. There are two main types of succession: primary succession, which occurs on previously uninhabited substrates, such as bare rock after a volcanic eruption, and secondary succession, which occurs in areas where a disturbance has cleared out a community but leaves the soil intact, such as after a forest fire.

Succession involves a series of stages, typically starting with pioneer species that are well-adapted to colonize barren or disturbed environments. As these species modify the environment, they make conditions more suitable for subsequent species, leading to a more complex and stable community over time. This process continues until a climax community is established, which remains relatively stable until further disturbances occur.

The other terms, while related to biological concepts, do not accurately describe this specific process of change in communities. Simplification suggests a reduction in complexity, regression refers to a return to a previous state, and adaptation pertains to changes in specific species over time in response to environmental pressures, rather than the overall structural changes within a biological community.