Ecological Succession

Week_7_ ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
Ecological succession is a long term, gradual or progressive series of changes occurring in the structure,
composition, variety or diversity and number of species in an area.
New habitats are constantly being formed by weathering of rocks, or by the filling up of lakes and ponds, and rivers
build deltas at their mouths. For example, the introduction of a new plant or animal species or a change in climatic
conditions. The first set of organisms to colonize an environment is the pioneers (mostly producers). As a habit or
environment changes, there is a resultant change in its occupants leading to development of new organisms. With
time, bigger or stronger species of organisms continue to appear in the habitat, it comes to a time when it remains
the same in composition and size over a long period of time. This is known as a climax community.
What is a Climax community?
A climax community is an ecological community in which populations of plants or animals remain stable and
exist in balance with each other and their environment.
Differences between pioneer community and climax community
s/ Pioneer community Climax community
n
1. It is the primary/first biotic community which it is a final biotic community which develops in an
develops on the bare area area
2. It establishes over a previously bare area It develops over an area which is previously
occupied by several communities
3. It consists of small organisms It consists of numerous large and small sized
organisms
4. In this community growth is fast In this community growth is slow
5. Lifespan of organisms is short Lifespan of organisms is long
6. It is soon replaced by the next developing It is stable and not replaced by any other
community communities
General characteristics of succession

1. Succession occurs in newly formed habitat e.g., abandoned farmland
2. There is a progressive increase in the number of organisms until a climax is attained
3. Succession is orderly and progressive
4. There is a competition among organisms for available resources
5. Plants form the pioneer organisms (autotrophs)
6. There is a diversity of organisms and change in species composition (fittest survive and adapt)
7. There is a constant change in the habitat
8. Climax community form the final stage
Types of Ecological Succession

• Primary Succession
• Secondary Succession
 Primary succession
This occurs in an area where no community has existed before, and includes the formation of new soil. It may
begin from a bare dry environment or an aquatic environment. It usually starts with lower organisms and takes a
longer time to reach a climax community. Examples of primary succession are found in ponds or lakes, vegetation
or rock, mangrove forest, river mouths or banks, i.e.
1. When a large rocky slope changes eventually into a forest
2. When shallow lakes fill up with vegetation to become marshes and eventually forests
Example 1: Primary succession in a pond
Here is an example of how succession will take place in a Pond. The first colonizers of a newly formed pond are
planktons. Higher plants like pond weeds grow in the shallow water of the pond. Water becomes shallower as plants
remain and soil washed by rain from the surrounding land accumulates in the pond. As the pond margin becomes
filled, reeds, sedges and other marsh plants replace the pond weeds, which now colonize areas near the center of the
pond. Eventually, the whole pond becomes a dry terrestrial habitat, surrounding suitable climax community.
Factors which can give rise to a bare (primary) surface include;
1. Erosion
2. Deposit of sand dunes
3. Volcanic ash
4. Land slides
5. Earthquakes
6. Hurricanes and tornadoes
7. Mining or construction activities
 Secondary succession
This starts on an already previously colonized surface. It occurs when an existing community is disturbed.
Some organisms may probably still be present in the disturbed habitat. Fire, droughts and floods cause secondary
succession to occur. It may start with fairly complex organisms and it takes a shorter time or duration to reach a
climax community. Examples are found in an abandoned farmland, overgrazed grasslands, and in a forest, area
cleared for timber.
Example 2: Secondary succession in an abandoned farmland
Here the series of succession is rapid and climaxes to a stable community faster. Being once a farmland, nutrients
remain from the destruction of the old farm. The initial pioneers or colonizers are insects, larvae, worms, seeds of
plants, underground stem, etc.
The second stage will involve the germination and growth of more grasses, the hatching of eggs of insects and other
species. The vegetation can now support animals like rats, snakes, other rodents and reptiles.
The third stage will result in the displacement of the herbs by shrubs and increase in the diversity of species. More
trees grow and species diversity includes birds, reptiles, monkey, etc. which lives in different strata of the habitat
will emerge.
The population and activities of ground dwellers and feeders now increase and climax vegetation is reached. The
animal community will now include herbivores, carnivores and dendrites (organic debris and decay). At this stage a
climax community has been reached.
Differences between Primary succession and secondary succession
s/ Primary Succession Secondary Succession
n
1. The primary succession occurs in an area which The secondary succession occurs in area which has been
has been bare from the beginning denuded recently.
2. In the beginning soil is absent Soil is already present
3. Humus is not found in the beginning stage of Humus is present before the beginning of secondary
primary succession. succession
4. Regions of primary succession lacks soil and Regions of secondary succession have the ability to
organic matter retain the soil and organic matter
5. The primary biotic succession is very In the secondary biotic succession, surviving plants can
challenging for the pioneer community easily grow to form a pioneer community
6. It takes very long time, over 1000 years for It takes very short time, over 50-200 years for
completion completion
7. It starts with lower organisms It starts with fairly complex organisms
Differences between Succession and Competition

s/ Succession Competition
n
1. Succession is an orderly sequence Competition occurs in no particular order
2. Succession occurs in a particular area Competition occurs in all inhabited places by the
organisms i.e. wherever you find organisms.
3. In succession, replacement of one population by In the competition, replacement of one population
another in a given environment leads to a stable or by another in a given environment occurs due to
climax community survival of the fittest
4. It is a gradual process. It is not a gradual process.
5. Succession ends when a stable or climax Competition has no end, it continues throughout
community has been attained life
6. Succession provides basis for competition. Competition is the action that speeds up succession
among species
7. Succession starts within a new habitat Competition is triggered when the resources are in
limited supply in an existing habitat

Ecological Succession

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Week_7_ ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

General characteristics of succession

Types of Ecological Succession

Differences between Succession and Competition

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