8.12. Ecological successions

Ecological successions. The evolution of ecosystems

The ecosystems are dynamic, since both the communities that form it as the biotope undergo changes over time.

An ecological succession is a process of change, continuous and slow, of the ecosystem as a consequence of the variations that occur in the environment and in the populations that form it.

Two types of ecological successions are distinguished:

Primary ecological succession.
Secondary ecological succession.

Primary ecological succession

It is the one that occurs when the ecosystem starts naturally in a newly created environment that has not been colonized by living beings. For example, when volcanic soils, newly formed natural lakes, dunes, new volcanic island, etc. are colonized.

By Joshfn (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Secondary ecological succession

It occurs in an area that was already inhabited by communities but which, due to natural or human causes, have been modified. For example, an abandoned farm field, a forest after a fire, etc.

By Katelyn Murphy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Game: Succession interactive.

Characteristics of a succession

All ecological successions, under natural conditions, occur in a similar way. It is a long process that can last up to hundreds of years, characterized by:

Increase in biodiversity. There are more and more different species, some replacing others, creating a greater number of ecological niches.
Increase in biomass. As the succession progresses, the species are replaced by others of greater mass and volume.
Increase in ecosystem complexity. There are more and more species and a greater number of relationships between organisms, creating complex food chains and webs and other interspecific relationships.
Increased resistance to changes that may occur in the ecosystem. The ecosystem has self-regulatory mechanisms that allow it to resist any disturbances that occur.

Phases of an ecological succession

The tendency of an ecological succession is to gain complexity until it reaches its maximum degree of stability or climax. The characteristic stages of a primary ecological succession are:

Initial phase

In an area that has not yet created the ground, setting occurs pioneers or opportunistic species. Lichens, mosses, fungi and algae, simple organisms that decompose bedrock by weathering to transform it and create the components of the soil.

Later insects, reptiles, mammals and birds will appear.

Middle phase

When the soil is somewhat thicker, it is colonized by some herbaceous species that generate roots and contribute organic matter to the soil, which allows the appearance of arthropods, worms, etc.

Ripening phase

When the soil has developed, larger plants, such as shrubs and trees, begin to develop, allowing other animal and plant species to appear in the ecosystem.

Final phase or climax

When the ecosystem has reached its maximum development, in which stable and balanced conditions exist between its components, the climax or state of maximum stability is reached.

In this phase the greatest diversity of species is reached. Specialist species appear, with a very reduced ecological niche.

Alterations of ecological successions. Ecological regressions.

Although an ecosystem can remain in its climax stage for a long time, such as tropical forests, it is likely that there are alterations due to natural or human causes, which modify that situation.

Ecological regression is the process of change that occurs in the ecosystem that modifies the natural order of stages of an ecological succession, transforming it into a more immature ecosystem with less biodiversity.

After an ecological regression, a secondary ecological succession will begin.

Interactive activity: Ecological successions.

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Skip navigation Biology and Geology 4th ESO Biology and Geology 4º ESO 1. The cell 1.1. Levels of organization of living beings 1.2. Cell theory 1.3. The cell 1.3.1. Prokaryotic cell 1.3.2. Eukaryotic cell 1.3.2.1. Common organelles 1.3.2.2. Organelles of the animal cell 1.3.2.3. Plant cell organelles 1.4. Cell nucleus 1.5. Vital functions of cells 1.6. Cellular cycle 1.6.1. Mitosis 1.6.1.1. Cytokinesis 1.6.2. Meiosis 1.6.2.1. Meiosis I. First meiotic division 1.6.2.2. Meiosis II. Second meiotic division 1.6.2.3. Result of meiosis 1.6.3. Differences between mitosis and meiosis 1.6.4. Biological importance of mitosis and meiosis 1.7. Bibliography 2. Genetic information 2.1. Nucleic acids 2.1.1. DNA 2.1.2. RNA 2.1.3. Control of protein synthesis 2.2. DNA and molecular genetics 2.3. Gene concept 2.4. Replication of DNA 2.5. DNA to RNA transcription 2.6. Genetic code 2.7. Translation of RNA to proteins 2.8. Mutations Relations with evolution 2.9. Biotechnology 2.10. 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Earth, a changing planet 5.3. Geological time: historical ideas about the age of the Earth 5.4. Dating methods 5.4.1. Relative dating 5.4.1.1. Geological history exercises - relative dating 5.4.2. Absolute dating 5.5. Fossils 5.5.1. Fossils in Aragon 5.6. Geological history of the Earth 5.6.1. Precambrian 5.6.2. Phanerozoic 5.6.2.1. Paleozoic 5.6.2.2. Mesozoic 5.6.2.3. Cenozoic 5.7. Bibliography 6. Structure and dynamics of the Earth 6.1. Earth study methods 6.1.1. Seismic discontinuities 6.2. Structure and composition of the Earth 6.2.1. Geochemical model 6.2.2. Dynamic model 6.3. Bibliography 7. Plate tectonics 7.1. From continental drift to plate tectonics 7.1.1. Wegener continental drift 7.2. Plate Tectonics and its manifestations 7.2.1. Lithospheric plates 7.2.2. Oceanic ridges 7.2.2.1. Expansion of the ocean floor 7.2.3. Ocean trenches 7.2.4. Transforming faults 7.2.5. Formation of mountain ranges 7.3. The Wilson cycle 7.4. Rock deformation 7.4.1. Folds 7.4.2. Faults 7.4.3. Joints 7.4.4. Mixed structures 7.5. Bibliography 8. Ecosystems 8.1. Ecosystem structure 8.1.1. Types of ecosystems 8.1.1.1. Aquatic ecosystems 8.1.1.2. Terrestrial ecosystems 8.1.1.2.1. Urban ecosystems 8.2. Components of the ecosystem: community and biotope 8.2.1. Biotope 8.2.2. Biocenosis or community 8.3. Habitat and ecological niche 8.4. Limiting factors and adaptations 8.5. Tolerance limit 8.6. Trophic levels 8.7. Trophic relationships: chains and networks 8.8. Ecological pyramids 8.9. Self-regulation of the ecosystem, the population and the community 8.9.1. Intra and interspecific relationships 8.10. Matter cycle and energy flow 8.11. Biogeochemical cycles 8.11.1. Carbon cycle 8.11.2. Nitrogen cycle 8.11.3. Phosphorus cycle 8.12. Ecological successions 8.13. Bibliography 9. Resources and environmental impacts 9.1. Human activity and the environment 9.2. Natural resources and their types 9.3. Environmental impacts 9.3.1. Pollution of the atmosphere 9.3.1.1. Air pollutants 9.3.1.2. Acid rain 9.3.1.3. The smog 9.3.1.4. Ozone layer hole 9.3.1.5. Increased greenhouse effect 9.3.1.6. Climate change 9.3.2. Noise pollution 9.3.3. Light pollution 9.3.4. Water contamination 9.3.4.1. Water pollutants 9.3.4.2. Water eutrophication 9.3.4.3. Aquifer reduction 9.4. Soil 9.4.1. Soil contamination 9.5. Main environmental problems of Aragon 9.6. Overpopulation and its consequences 9.7. Waste and its management 9.8. Bibliography and student work « Previous \| Next » 8.12. Ecological successions Ecological successions. The evolution of ecosystems The ecosystems are dynamic, since both the communities that form it as the biotope undergo changes over time. An ecological succession is a process of change, continuous and slow, of the ecosystem as a consequence of the variations that occur in the environment and in the populations that form it. Two types of ecological successions are distinguished: Primary ecological succession. Secondary ecological succession. Primary ecological succession It is the one that occurs when the ecosystem starts naturally in a newly created environment that has not been colonized by living beings. For example, when volcanic soils, newly formed natural lakes, dunes, new volcanic island, etc. are colonized. By Joshfn (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Secondary ecological succession It occurs in an area that was already inhabited by communities but which, due to natural or human causes, have been modified. For example, an abandoned farm field, a forest after a fire, etc. By Katelyn Murphy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Game: Succession interactive. Characteristics of a succession All ecological successions, under natural conditions, occur in a similar way. It is a long process that can last up to hundreds of years, characterized by: Increase in biodiversity. There are more and more different species, some replacing others, creating a greater number of ecological niches. Increase in biomass. As the succession progresses, the species are replaced by others of greater mass and volume. Increase in ecosystem complexity. There are more and more species and a greater number of relationships between organisms, creating complex food chains and webs and other interspecific relationships. Increased resistance to changes that may occur in the ecosystem. The ecosystem has self-regulatory mechanisms that allow it to resist any disturbances that occur. Phases of an ecological succession The tendency of an ecological succession is to gain complexity until it reaches its maximum degree of stability or climax. The characteristic stages of a primary ecological succession are: Initial phase In an area that has not yet created the ground, setting occurs pioneers or opportunistic species. Lichens, mosses, fungi and algae, simple organisms that decompose bedrock by weathering to transform it and create the components of the soil. Later insects, reptiles, mammals and birds will appear. Middle phase When the soil is somewhat thicker, it is colonized by some herbaceous species that generate roots and contribute organic matter to the soil, which allows the appearance of arthropods, worms, etc. Ripening phase When the soil has developed, larger plants, such as shrubs and trees, begin to develop, allowing other animal and plant species to appear in the ecosystem. Final phase or climax When the ecosystem has reached its maximum development, in which stable and balanced conditions exist between its components, the climax or state of maximum stability is reached. In this phase the greatest diversity of species is reached. Specialist species appear, with a very reduced ecological niche. Alterations of ecological successions. Ecological regressions. Although an ecosystem can remain in its climax stage for a long time, such as tropical forests, it is likely that there are alterations due to natural or human causes, which modify that situation. Ecological regression is the process of change that occurs in the ecosystem that modifies the natural order of stages of an ecological succession, transforming it into a more immature ecosystem with less biodiversity. After an ecological regression, a secondary ecological succession will begin. Interactive activity: Ecological successions. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike License 4.0 « Previous \| Next » You can ask, comment, contribute, get in touch with other users in the forum of this course. This course is translated from https://biologia-geologia.com/BG4/
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