successional
In ordered series
Successional describes something relating to or occurring in succession—a sequence where one thing follows another.
The word appears most often in ecology, where successional stages describe how plant and animal communities replace each other over time: The forest is in an early successional stage, dominated by fast-growing species.
It also applies to inheritance or transfer of power: successional rights to the throne.
Following in unbroken sequence
- chronologicalOrdered by time
- subsequentOccurring after something else
- precedingComing before in order
- followingComing after another
series · order · phases · stages · linear · continuum · chain · sequence
Pertaining to gradual biological change
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
- unfoldingGradually becoming apparent
maturing · emerging · transitional · cumulative · progressive · growth · advancement · transformation
Point of greatest intensity
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- primaryChief in importance
- secondaryLesser in rank
- disturbanceDisruption of order
colonization · ecosystem · community · habitat · biodiversity · restoration · resilience · species
One who receives legacy
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- dynasticOf successive rulers
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
crown · regent · primogeniture · entailment · patrimony · estate · legacy · hereditary
consecutive
Following in unbroken sequence
- chronologicalOrdered by time
- subsequentOccurring after something else
- precedingComing before in order
following · series · order · phases · stages · linear · continuum · chain · sequence · progression
evolutionary
Pertaining to gradual biological change
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
unfolding · maturing · emerging · transitional · cumulative · progressive · growth · advancement · transformation · ripening
climax
Point of greatest intensity
disturbance · colonization · ecosystem · community · habitat · biodiversity · restoration · resilience · species · flora
heir
One who receives legacy
- beneficiaryDesignated asset receiver
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- dynasticOf successive rulers
throne · crown · regent · primogeniture · entailment · patrimony · estate · legacy · hereditary · accession
successionalsimultaneous
Happening at same time
concurrent · synchronous · contemporaneous · parallel · coexistent
successionalrandom
Occurring without pattern
disordered · unordered · haphazard · discontinuous · chaotic
- royal successionOrder of throne inheritance
- line of successionSequence of potential heirs
- order of successionSequence of rightful heirs
- succession crisisContested leadership transfer
- succession planScheme for replacing leaders
- presidential successionOrder of replacement leaders