Ecological succession stages and processes with examples Upsc

Ecological succession

Ecological succession

Ecological succession definition

Ecological succession is a series of steps and a continuous process where life comes back to normal, and evolves in a given area concerning changing environment.

Simply, It is the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves in a particular area.

There are two types of Succession one is Primary and another one is secondary succession.

Primary and secondary succession

Primary succession and secondary succession are related to the presence of soil and the absence of soil. Primary ecological succession is the one in which life starts primarily in a lifeless area with an absence of soil such as barren rocks, dunes, glaciers, recent lava flows, etc.

primary succession examples are areas of volcano eruption, Oil spills, Retreat of the glacier, barren rocks, Landslides, severe soil erosion caused by flood and rains, and abandoned man-made structures.

Primary succession begins with the growth of inhabitants such as lichen or plants, that can survive harsh conditions such as bare rock, and retreating glaciers.

These lichen/grasses break the rocks and modify the soil, which is then colonized by other plant communities. Thus ecological succession occurring on rocks is called Primary succession.

Primary succession in water

It is also called Hyrach. It will lead from hydric to mesic conditions. Small organisms such as Phytoplanktons will appear first. Then Zooplankton appears and feeds on the Phytoplanktons. In the next phase, the soft mud that lies on the bottom which is rich in organic matter favors the growth of rooted submerged plants such as Hydrilla, Utricularia, Vallisneria, Chara, and Ceratophyllum.

Then gets replaced by Hydrophytes (floating) such as emna, Salivina, Azolla, Wolffia, Pistia, etc.

primary succession examples

Secondary succession definition

The secondary succession happens basically in the presence of soil. That is a place affected by forest fires, floods, landslides, etc. Where everything gets affected but the soil is present in the same place. Life starts to evolve in that soil that is present in the same place.

Secondary succession is a type of succession, where the plant and animal recolonize a particular habitat or area after a major disturbance. examples of secondary succession are A habitat disturbed by forest fire, landslide, and Human activities. But soil remains intact, the species recolonize in it.

Plant Succession

Plant Succession is the series of processes of replacement of one plant community by another plant community. The plant community which is first developed in barren habitat is known as the Pioneer community and the plant community which replaces or invades the existing community is known as the climax community.

Natural succession

Succession is a natural process, where the communities of vegetation develop and evolve.

Lichens play an important role in the early stages of succession by accessing the minerals in the bare rock and helping them to weather to start the process of creating the soil.

During the process of ecological succession:

  • Species diversity decreases
  • One community replaces another until a stable, mature, climax community species is established.

Sere Ecology

  • A Sere Ecology or Seral Community is a halfway or intermediate stage found in ecological succession in a habitat progressing towards its peak community.

Types of Sere Ecology

  • Hydrosere – Community in Water
  • Lithosere – Community on rock
  • Psammosere – Community on Sand
  • Xerosere – Community in a dry area
  • Halosere – Community in Saline body

Importance of ecological succession

  • It helps in monitoring the invasion or unequal growth of any animal.
  • It helps in reforestation.
  • Without ecological succession, a disturbed or destroyed ecosystem would never recover.

Process of ecological succession

Ecological succession is the process of gradual change in the types of species that inhabit an area over time. It is a natural process that occurs in all ecosystems, and it is driven by a number of factors, including disturbances, climate change, and human activities.

Stages of Ecological Succession

There are two main types of ecological succession: primary and secondary. Primary succession occurs on bare, uncolonized areas, such as lava flows or newly exposed glacial till. Secondary succession occurs on areas that have been previously disturbed, but where some of the original soil and vegetation remain.

Both primary and secondary succession follow a similar pattern of stages:

1. Nudation

Nudation is the initial stage of ecological succession, and it occurs when an area is disturbed and cleared of all vegetation. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as fire, floods, landslides, or human activities.

Nudation in ecological succession

2. Colonization

The next stage of ecological succession is colonization, where pioneer species begin to establish themselves in the area. Pioneer species are typically hardy, adaptable plants that are able to tolerate harsh conditions. They are often small and fast-growing, and they have a wide range of tolerances for different environmental conditions.

3. Establishment

As the pioneer species grow and mature, they create a more stable environment for other species to colonize. This is called the establishment stage of ecological succession. During this stage, the number and diversity of species in the area increase as new species are able to survive and reproduce.

4. Maturation

The maturation stage of ecological succession is characterized by the presence of a few dominant species that are well-adapted to the environment. These species are typically larger and slower-growing than the pioneer species, and they form a stable community that is able to resist change.

5. Climax

The climax stage of ecological succession is the final stage, and it is characterized by a stable community that is in equilibrium with the environment. The climax community is typically made up of a mix of species that are all well-adapted to the environment.

The Role of Disturbance in Ecological Succession

Disturbance plays an important role in ecological succession. Disturbances can set back succession and create new opportunities for pioneer species to colonize an area. They can also lead to the formation of new climax communities.

Human activities can also have a significant impact on ecological succession. For example, deforestation can prevent an area from reaching its climax stage, and the introduction of invasive species can disrupt the natural balance of an ecosystem.

The process of ecological succession is a complex and dynamic one, and it is influenced by a number of factors. However, the basic pattern of change is the same in all ecosystems: an area is disturbed, pioneer species colonize the area, and over time, a stable community is formed.

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* * All the Notes in this blog, are referred from Tamil Nadu State Board Books and Samacheer Kalvi Books. Kindly check with the original Tamil Nadu state board books and Ncert Books.
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