Question

Make a table listing the changes in the ecosystem during succession.

Answer 1

Hint:-The ecological succession is a slow progressive growth of the ecosystem that occurs over a period of time. The succession can be divided into primary, secondary and the climax stage. The succession is necessary as it ensures the growth and development of plant life in a particular area. Without succession, the Earth would turn into barren land after some time.

Complete answer:
The ecological succession usually is divided into primary succession and secondary succession. Primary succession occurs when there were no pre-living forms present on barren land. That land area is usually devoid of life. The first organism that inhabits such lands are usually algae, fungi, lichens, and mosses. They help in the build of the soil layer on that land. When a layer gets developed then the advanced plants like the grasses and ferns start developing. With their growth, the animals and birds also start to reside in such areas. The following table shows the changes in the ecosystem during succession:-

A land area which has lava bed layer

Inhabitation of algae and fungi

Colonization of the lichens and mosses

Growth of the advanced plants

Inhabitation of the animals and birds

The secondary succession occurs when the land was already inhabited by the organisms and was destroyed due to some environmental forces. The plants and animals are habitat in such areas. The environmental forces like flood and fire usually wipe down most of the nutrients present in that area. The seeds which were present and didn’t get destroyed during that disaster take time and grow when the conditions become suitable for them to grow.

Note:- The first species that inhabit the cleared area is known as the pioneer species. They give rise to an intermediate species which includes lichens and mosses. After many years intermediate species make it favourable for the establishment of the climax community. Once the climax community gets established an ecosystem is formed.