Question

What is meant by ecological succession?

Answer 1

Hint: Ecological succession refers to the gradual process of changing ecosystems and developing over time. In nature, nothing remains the same and habitats are constantly changing. Ecological succession is of two types- primary and secondary.

Complete answer:
> Ecological succession - the process that brings a change in the structure of species of an ecological community over time. The time scale for ecological succession can be decades or even millions of years after a mass extinction.

> Primary succession is a series of community changes. The primary succession occurs in an entirely new habitat that has never been colonized before. For example, a newly quarried rock face or sand dunes.

> Secondary succession is also a series of community changes taking place on a previously colonized, like a disturbed or damaged habitat. For example, after felling trees in woodland, land clearance, or a fire.

> The community begins with somewhat few initiating plants and animals. They develop by improving complexity until it evolves stable or self-perpetuating as a climax community. The "engine" of succession, is the reason for ecosystem change, is the consequence of established organisms upon their own environments. A consequence of living in the sometimes modest and sometimes overt reversal of one's own environment.

Note: Ecology succession is the species that are involved in succession from open freshwater to climax woodland in Central Africa, which are quite different from those which have been named in the pages as occurring in Britain. However, the processes involved in this succession would be the same.