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2.3 Ecological Succession

The document discusses ecological succession, a process where species and habitats change over time, leading to a climax community. It details the stages of both primary and secondary succession, highlighting the role of pioneer species in soil formation and biodiversity enhancement. The document emphasizes that increased biodiversity results in more resilient and stable ecosystems.

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Jed Enricuso
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7 views

2.3 Ecological Succession

The document discusses ecological succession, a process where species and habitats change over time, leading to a climax community. It details the stages of both primary and secondary succession, highlighting the role of pioneer species in soil formation and biodiversity enhancement. The document emphasizes that increased biodiversity results in more resilient and stable ecosystems.

Uploaded by

Jed Enricuso
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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It is the process by which the mix of

species and habitat in an area


changes over time.

Gradually, these communities


replace one another until a “climax
community”—like a mature forest—
is reached, or until a disturbance,
like a fire, occurs.
BIODIVERSITY SOIL FORMATION AND ECOSYSTEM
ENHANCEMENT IMPROVEMENT STABILITY

Succession Pioneer species Ecosystems


increases species initiate soil become more
diversity over time, formation, stable and resilient,
leading to more enriching it over better able to
resilient and stable time to support withstand
ecosystems. more complex life environmental
forms. disturbances.
• It occurs on newly exposed surfaces with no
soil (e.g. volcanic eruptions, glacial retreats)
• Stages
a. Bare rock - no soil, just exposed rock
b. Pioneer species - lichens and mosses that
break down rock and begin soil formation
c. Soil formation - accumulation of organic
matter from decomposing pioneer species
d. Early successional species - grasses and
small plants
e. Intermediate species - shrubs and small
trees
f. Climax community - stable and mature
community (e.g. forests)
• It occurs in areas where a disturbance has
removed vegetation but left the soil intact
(e.g. forest fires, agriculture )
• Stages
a. Disturbed area - soil is present but
vegetation is removed
b. Pioneer species - fast-growing grasses
and weeds
c. Intermediate species - shrubs and small
trees
d. Climax community - stable and mature
ecosystems
• Environmental factors - climate, soil
type, typography
• Disturbance regimes - frequency
and intensity of disturbances
• Human activities - land use changes,
conservation efforts
• Ecological succession increases biodiversity as
ecosystems develop over time.
• Pioneer species start the process by creating
conditions for more complex species.
• Succession leads to greater variety of species,
contributing to ecosystem complexity.
• Mature ecosystems in the climax stage showcase high
biodiversity.
• Increased biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience
and adaptability.
• Guiob Church ruins in Camiguin were destroyed by a volcanic eruption
in 1871, leaving a barren landscape.
• Ecological succession is observed as vegetation gradually regrows
around the ruins.
• Succession stages include pioneer species (lichens, mosses), followed by
shrubs and trees, leading to a stable plant community.
• Both primary and secondary succession are evident, with primary
succession in areas where soil was absent, and secondary succession where
soil remained but vegetation was destroyed.
Hadjibiros, K. (2014) Ecology and Applied Environmental Science.
Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL. ISBN: 978 -1-4665-7010-8

Dhulap, V.P., Meshram, P.U., Jagtap, M.N., Nakhede, R.K., Kulkarni, S.D.,
Ghorade, I.B., Shinde, N.G., Pukale, V.K., Harwalkar, D.S., Bagwan, W.A.
(2018) Study Material on Environmental Studies. Solapur University,
Vasant Vihar, Solapur.

Freedman, B. (2015) Environmental Science. Dalhouse University


Libraries Digital Editions, Halifax, NS, Canada.

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