Primary Ecological Succession Latitude: 54°25'54.08"N Longitude: 125°52'35.88"W

The image was taken at Acadia National Park in Maine. First to appear on the bare rock are lichens and algae.  These secrete acids which begin to extract nutrients from the rock and which form tiny cracks which are widened by freezing and thawing.  As the cracks widen they trap enough organic material and moisture for mosses to take hold.