Ecological succession can be stated as the process that helps in mixing natural species and the habitat of an area within a specific period. In simple words, it can be defined as the process that advances structural changes over a period. As a matter of fact, Ecological Succession is a significant process that encourages biological community evolution. Within a specified landscape, two types of succession can be seen in the substantial level, Primary Succession and Secondary Succession. The article will discuss Ecological succession along with both the types of it. There is a fundamental difference among the two types of succession that are typified by biological community substances and the place which is involved with the process.
The primary process of ecological succession presupposes a sequential procedure of Nudation, Invasion, Competition or Rection and finally the process of stabilization or climax. With this process, there is a coherence of seral biotic community development in the specified area. As a matter of fact, in the concept of ecology, ecological succession defines the natural process of succeeding over one another within a stipulated period. On the other hand, to develop a specific ecosystem through ecological succession, the occurrence of Primary, secondary and Climax community processes.
Primary Succession
The fundamental process of primary ecological succession occurs when there is a presence of a lifeless region that is not capable of sustaining life due to the inefficacy of the soil. In general, there is a possibility of soil development with the influencing factors such as lava flow, formation of sand dunes or the retreating glacier leftover. In this context of biological transfusion, there is a great concentration of pioneer species such as Mosses, Lichen and Fungi. This is due to the resemblance of the species in terms of growing on the exposed land and rocks. The living being associated with Primary Succession has a likelihood of surviving harsh environmental or climatic conditions. Inorganic nitrogen and carbon diffusion are associated with the acceleration of the weathering process. The foundation layer of the core soil is developed with the decomposition of simple organisms. In this way, the pioneer species are likely to be responsible for advancing the path of complex organisms in terms of developing a more comfortable habitat for other species.
The process of Primary Succession is the basic stage of soil development that retains the development of complex habitats. As the soil gets ready with the acceleration of grass and weeds growing, more species appear on the land and nurture the whole process followed by complex organisms like bigger trees and animals. There are certain examples of Primary Succession, these are; Volcanic eruption, Flooding and Soil erosion, Nuclear explosion, oil spills, glacier retreat.
Secondary Succession
The process of Secondary Succession is different from the Primary Succession process due to the relevance of mineral composition associated with the soil. In this context, opposite to the Primary Succession, secondary succession can evolve after an intrusion that negatively works in annihilating the present microbes from the soil that succor in developing basic nutrients obtainable to plants of the region. It can occur much more swiftly than the primary succession since in the previous process advancement associated with plant development is present. In a mush detailed context, Secondary succession happens when an event enormously disregards a stable ecosystem and existing habitat and as a result of that, present vegetation, as well as the previously living organisms, departs from the stricken region. After all the mishaps, the region looks ‘dead’; however, there is a presence of fertile and developed soil. In this case, the soil suppresses an abundant amount of organic matter in terms of reinforcing the intermittence of life.
After the secondary succession, there is a great chance of the reappearance of grasses as the first organism along with shrubs and trees. In this context, it can be stated that there is no requirement of “pedogenesis” as the first stage of Secondary Succession due to the previous existence of soil-forming procedures. There is the certain example that reflects secondary succession as the ecological development, these are, Fire breakout, Harvesting, pest attack and epidemic.
Climax community
The process of ecological succession finishes at the stage of “climax community”. Within the ecological frame, the endpoint can be defined by the predominant stage of hardwood forests and dominant species habitat within the land. Within this stage, there is a possibility of developing natural wood forests with a stable condition of economical balance. In other words, the Climax community can be defined as the ecological stage where a stable ecosystem can be seen along with an Eco systematic balance of animal and plant habitats. The stage is unlikely to be hindered unless and until severe disruption occurs.
Conclusion
Taking everything into account, it can be stated that the term Ecological Succession is a significant process of developing a balanced ecology within a stipulated area or region. Through the changes and development in the soil structure and living habitat development and demolition, the process constitutes. It can be seen that all the processes associated with Ecological Succession build around the continual changes of species communities. The process is not random as there is a sequential balance and progression is associated with it. In terms of developing and nurturing new species of plants and animals, the eco-systematic procedure inhibits largely the process of ecological succession.