Question

Difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic succession.

Answer 1

Hint: the succession that takes place due to autotrophs is called autotrophic succession and that due to. Heterotrophs is called heterotrophic succession.

Complete answer:
Autotrophic Succession:
- The succession that takes place by continuous and early dominance of autotrophic organisms.
- It begins in an inorganic environment.
- This takes place where green plants are more in number than animals
- Due to this succession there is an increase in energy flow in the ecosystem as green plants produce food and help to give energy.

Heterotrophic Succession:
- This succession takes place by continuously and early dominance of heterotrophic organisms
- It begins in an organic environment.
- This takes place where organisms like bacteria and fungi are more in number than plants.
- Due to this succession there is decrease in energy content as heterotrophs consume energy by eating plants.

Hence, The correct answer is option (B).

Additional information:
There are two types of succession:-
Primary Succession: The succession that takes place on the barren land that is not occupied by any organism. Completely new life forms are developed in primary succession. This process takes time as it has to start new as lichens start to grow on rock .

Secondary Succession: The succession that takes place on the area that was occupied by organisms but now has become barren due to natural calamities like volcanic eruption , flood etc. This process does not take much time as already soil and many factors are present.

Note: The process by which the environment or ecosystem changes gradually and leads to the formation of better adaptations in the environment. The barren land is covered due to succession.