An Introduction
Botanists coined the term "ecological succession" to describe the change in the structure of a community of different species or ecosystems. Ecological succession came about because people wanted to understand how large and complex ecosystems like forests can thrive in places that are thought to be new. This led to the idea of ecological succession such as volcanic islands. Different types of ecological succession exist at various stages of an ecosystem and are dependent on how developed that ecosystem is. Ecological succession says that ecosystems move up until they reach a climax community, which is the highest point in their development. All resources are used efficiently in the climax community, and the total mass of vegetation reaches its maximum. A climax community can be found in many forests that have not been disturbed in many years.
Types of Ecological Succession
Primary Succession
There was no soil when the planet first formed. Hot magma and cold water combine to form hard rocks, evidenced by newly formed islands. The process by which tiny organisms and erosion break down these rocks into the soil is primary ecological succession. The ground then serves as the foundation for higher forms of plant life. These higher forms can generate food for animals, then populate the area. A barren landscape of rocks will eventually become a climax community due to primary ecological succession. After years and years, the soil layer thickens and contains many nutrients and beneficial bacteria needed to support advanced plant life. Secondary lines can occur if this primary ecosystem is disturbed or destroyed.
Secondary Succession
Secondary succession is a type of ecological succession in which plants and animals recolonize a habitat after a significant disturbance, such as a devastating flood, wildfire, landslide, lava flow, or human activity (e.g., farming or road or building construction), significantly alters an area but does not render it completely lifeless. Secondary succession is distinct from primary succession in that it occurs when a biological community forms in an area where there was previously no life.
Secondary succession happens when a disturbance doesn't get rid of all the energy and nutrients in the area. Although fire, flooding, and other disorders may cause visible damage to a landscape, drive out many plants and animals, and reset the biological community to an earlier stage, the habitat remains alive because the soil retains nutrients and seeds laid down before the disturbance. It is possible for buried seeds to sprout as soon as the effects of the condition are disappeared, and some may benefit from decreased competition and shading as a result of this. Some species may have adapted to the passage of a specific disturbance regularly. A wildfire, for example, might open the cones (strobili) of the jack pine (Pinus banksiana), a tree species that is prevalent in the northeastern United States and Canada, allowing the seeds to be dispersed and encourage new development.
Cyclic Succession
Cyclic ecological succession occurs within established communities and is simply a cyclical change in the ecosystem's structure. Some plants thrive at certain times, while others are dormant. Other organisms, such as cicadas, can lay dormant for many years before bursting forth and drastically altering the ecosystem.
Some of the MCQs on Ecological Succession for NEET Biology
1. A careless camper starts a fire in the woods, and the fire is so hot that it sterilizes the soil. There are no bacteria or recognizable nutrients left for organisms to use. Which of the following types of ecological succession is required?
A. Primary Succession
B. Secondary Succession
C. Cyclical Succession
Ans: A
2. How many types of ecological succession are there?
A. one
B. two
C. three
Ans: C
FAQs on MCQs on Ecological Succession
1. What are the four stages of ecological succession?
The entire process of a primary autotrophic ecological succession consists of the following sequential steps that occur one after the other:
1. Nudation
2. Invasion
3. Competition and reaction
4. Stabilization or climax
2. What is the name given to all the living organisms that inhabit an area undergoing primary succession in its early stages?
When succession occurs in a specific area, smaller species such as bacteria and fungi usually arrive. The pioneer community comprises the first organisms to settle a place, and these pioneer communities eventually result in biological succession.
3. Why is ecological succession important?
Ecological succession is critical for an ecosystem's growth and development. It begins with the colonization of new areas and the recolonization of places that have been destroyed due to biotic and climatic factors. As a result, organisms can adapt to changes and learn to survive in an ever-changing environment.
4. What are the characteristics of ecological succession?
The characteristics of ecological succession are as follows:
It results from alterations to the community's physical environment.
It is a systematic approach to community development.
It involves changes in species structure and increases species diversity.
5. What are ecological succession and its types?
The gradual process of ecosystems changing and developing over time is known as ecological succession. Primary, secondary, and cyclic succession are the three main types of succession.