Succession

Succession
Def.- the successive colonization of the same
area by different plant communities during
the course of development of vegetation is
known as Succession.
Or,
Odum (1971), call this orderly process as
“ecosystem development” may be defined in
terms of the foll. 3 parameters –

.
 Parameters conti ……….
1.It is an orderly process of community development that
involves changes in species structure and community
processes with time, it is reasonably directional and
therefore, predictable.
2. It results from modification of the physical environment by
the community that is succession is community controlled
even though the physical environment determines the
pattern , the rate of change, and often sets limit as to how
far development can go.
3. It culminates in a stabilized ecosystem in which maximum
biomass and symbiotic function between organisms are
maintained per unit of ‘available energy flow’.
 Causes of Succession
1. Initial Initiating causes – these are climatic as well
as biotic former includes factors as erosion, fire,
lightning etc.latter includes various activities of
organisms. these causes produce the bare areas or
destroy the existing populations in an area.
2. Ecesis or continuing causes – these are the processes
as migration, ecesis, aggregation, competition, reaction
etc.which causes successive waves of populations as a
result of changes, chiefly in the edaphic features of the
area.
3. Topographic causes – changes as erosion or landslides
causes destruction of vegetation .
 Trends of Succession
• An ecological succession proceeds along
the foll. Lines
1. A continuous change in the kinds of plants
and animals.
2. A tending increase in diversity of species.
3. An increase in the organic matter and
biomass supported by the available energy
flow.
 Types of succession
1. Primary succession – if succession starts in an area
which never bore vegetation cover previously than it is
known as primary succession.
2. Secondary succession – if succession starts in an area
which earlier bore vegetation cover but was denuded later
on due to some reasons is called secondary succession.
3. Autogenic succession – after the succession has begun,
it is the community itself which as a result of its reactions
with the environment modifies its own environment and thus
causing its own replacement by new communities. This
course of succession is known as autogenic succession.
 4. Allogenic succession
In some cases however the replacement of the
existing community is caused largely by any other
external condition and not by the existing
organisms. Such a course is referred to as
allogenic succession.
5. Autotrophic succession – It is characterized
by early and continued dominance of autotrophic
organisms like green plants.
6. Heterotrophic succession – It is
characterised by early dominance of heterotrophs
such as bacteria ,fungi and animals.
 7.Induced Succession
• A succession which is controlled and
motivated by man for his own welfare and
suitability and maintains a steady
community is called induced succession.
8. Retrogressive succession – sometimes
due to heavy biotic interference the
succession instead of progressing goes
backwards. It is called retrogressive
succession.
 General process of
succession
• The process of succession of one community by
another of a complex type, till the development of
a stable community is known as Ecological
Succession.
• The whole series of communities which develop in
a given area is called Sere.
• The first community is called a pioneer
community and the final community is called a
climax community.
 Conti ……..
1. Nudation – this is the development of a bare area
without any form of life. The area may develop due
to any of the causes mentioned above.
2. Invasion – this is the successful establishment of a
species in a bare area. The species actually reaches
this new site from any other area . This whole
process is completed in 3 successive stages :
1) Migration – the seeds, spores etc of the species
reach the bare area. This process known as migration
is generally brought about by air , water, etc.
 2) Ecesis
• After reaching to the new area, the process of
successful establishment of the species as a
result of adjustment with the conditions
prevailing there is known as ecesis. In plants
after migration seeds germinate, grow and adults
start to reproduce . Only a few of them are
capable of doing this under primitive harsh
conditions and thus most of them disappear. Thus
as a result of ecesis, the individuals of species
become established in the area.
 3) Aggregation
• After ecesis, as a result of
reproduction, the individuals of
species increase in no. and they come
close to each other. This process is
known as aggregation.
 3. Competition and
Coaction
• After aggregation of a large no of
individuals of the species at the limited
place, their develops competition mainly
for space and nutrition. Individuals of a
species affect each other’s life in various
ways and this is called coaction.
• The species, if unable to compete with
other species, if present, would be
discarded.
 4.Reaction
Most important stage in succession.
The mechanism of the modification of the
environment through the influence of living
organisms on it, is known as reaction.
As a result of reactions, changes take place in soil, water,
light conditions, temperature etc of the environment.
Due to all these the environment is modified, becoming
unsuitable for the existing community which sooner or later
is replaced by another community.
 5. Stabilisation
• Finally, there occurs a stage in the process, when
the final terminal community becomes more or
less stabilized for a longer period of time and it
can maintain itself in equilibrium with the climate
of that area. This final community is not replaced
and is known as climax community and the stage as
climax stage.
• This final community is in complete harmony with
the environmental complex of that area and the
system is said to have achieve Homeostasis.
 Classification of
Succession
• The primary and secondary successions are
mainly of foll. types
1. Hydrosere – beginning in aquatic environment.
2. Xerosere - beginning in xeric or dry habitat.
3. Lithosere – beginning on the rock surface
4. Psammosere – beginning on sandy habitats
5. Halosere – beginning on salty habitat.