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Ecological Succession:: Definition

Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. There are two types of succession: primary succession, which establishes ecosystems in uninhabited areas, and secondary succession, which begins in areas that were previously inhabited. Succession involves five stages: nudation, invasion, competition/co-action, reaction, and stabilization, where a climax community becomes established for a long period. An example is the succession of a deciduous forest, which begins with lichens and mosses on bare rock and progresses through herbs, shrubs, pine and aspen trees, and eventually birch and spruce trees as the climax community.

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621 views3 pages

Ecological Succession:: Definition

Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. There are two types of succession: primary succession, which establishes ecosystems in uninhabited areas, and secondary succession, which begins in areas that were previously inhabited. Succession involves five stages: nudation, invasion, competition/co-action, reaction, and stabilization, where a climax community becomes established for a long period. An example is the succession of a deciduous forest, which begins with lichens and mosses on bare rock and progresses through herbs, shrubs, pine and aspen trees, and eventually birch and spruce trees as the climax community.

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tasbiha rafiq
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ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION:

Definition:
"Ecological succession is a series of more or less predictable changes that occur in
a community over time."

Or

"Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and


develop over time."

Nothing remains the same and habitats are constantly changing.

Types of succession:
There are two types of succession.

1) Primary succession:
"The establishment and development of an ecosystem in an area that was
previously uninhabited."

2) Secondary succession:
It begins in a place that already has soil and was once the home of living
organisms.

Stages of succession:
There are five stages of succession.

1) Nudation:
"It is the development of a bare area."

It may be caused by topographic, climatic or biotic factors. Topographic factor


includes landslide, volcanic activity, soil erosion etc that results in the formation
of a bare area. Climatic factor includes destruction of the community due to
glaciers, dry period and storm. Biotic factor includes agriculture and disease
epidemics.

2) Invasion:
"It is the second stage of ecological succession which is defined as the successful
establishment of a specie in the bare area."

Invasion is done through migration, ecesis and then aggregation. The seeds or
spores of the species reach the bare area through air or water medium. This is
known as migration. The establishment of the species is known as ecesis. The
seeds will germinate, grow and reproduce but only a few will survive due to the
harsh conditions of the environment. Once the species have started to grow they
will increase their number and stay close to each other. This is known as
aggregation.

3) Competition and co-action:


"The individuals of the species start to compete with each other for food and
space."

Competition maybe interspecific or intraspecific.

"Co-action is the affect of the individuals of a specie on each others life in various
ways."

4) Reaction:
"Modification of the environment through the influence of living organism
present on it is known as reaction."

The reaction will cause the change in the soil, water, temperature and light of that
area. The existing community will become unstable and will be replaced by
another community. This change in the communities is known as sere.
5) Stabilization:
The last stage of ecological succession is stabilization. The community becomes
more or less stabilized for a long period. It is known as the climax community.

Succession In Deciduous Forest:


1) The succession of a deciduous forest begins on a bare surface such as rock or
sand. Lichens and moss start to grow in the rocks. They break the rocks. The
breakage of rocks causes the formation of soil.

2) Due to the formation of soil, herbs and shrubs start to grow. They have a
shallow root system and can hold themselves and the soil together. Also their
roots break more of the rocks and so more of the soil is formed.

3) When lichens, moss, herbs and shrubs start to die and decay, their decaying
adds nutrients to the soil making it rich and allowing other small plants and trees
to grow. As the soil becomes richer in nutrients, Pine and Aspen trees start to
grow. Animals come to that area in order to eat the plants and so the decaying of
plants and trees makes the soil more rich in nutrients.

4) Now birch and spruce trees will start to grow. More animals will come now and
competition will start. A climax community will be established.
https://www.easybiologyclass.com/process-of-ecological-succession-ppt/

https://prezi.com/sw2erlq7hgxq/the-primary-succession-of-a-deciduous-forest/

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