What are the factors affecting succession?

What are the factors affecting succession?

The factors involved in ecological succession are either biotic or abiotic. Biotic factors are those that involve life and its aspects. Abiotic factors are those that involve aspects external to life but are still indirectly involved. An example of an abiotic factor would be climate.

What is succession and how does it affect a species?

Ecological succession is the process that describes how the structure of a biological community (that is, an interacting group of various species in a desert, forest, grassland, marine environment, and so on) changes over time. The structure of this community becomes more complex as new species arrive on the scene.

What environmental factors may affect the type of climax community that develops in an ecosystem?

In addition to trees, each successive community harbors many other life forms, with the greatest diversity populating the climax community. Similar ecological zonings occur among marine flora and fauna, dependent on such environmental factors as bottom composition, availability of light, and degree of salinity.

Why are changes during succession predictable?

Succession refers to a directional, predictable change in community structure over time (Grime 1979, Huston & Smith 1987). This change is due to shifts in the presence and relative abundance of different species as time passes over years to centuries.

What are the causes and effects of ecological succession?

The main causes of ecological succession include the biotic and climatic factors that can destroy the populations of an area. Wind, fire, soil erosion and natural disasters include the climatic factors. What is the importance of ecological succession? Ecological succession is important for the growth and development of an ecosystem.

What is succession and its types?

Succession is the order of colonization of species in an ecosystem from a barren or destroyed area of land. Mosses and lichens are the first species that inhabit an area. They make the area suitable for the growth of larger species such as grasses, shrubs and finally trees. Read on to explore what is ecological succession and its types.

Is the sequential progression of species during succession random?

The sequential progression of species during succession, however, is not random. At every stage certain species have evolved life histories to exploit the particular conditions of the community. This situation imposes a partially predictable sequence of change in the species composition of communities during succession.

What factors affect the distribution of plant and animal species?

Differences in the amount of water or nutrients over a region can affect the distribution of animal and plant species ( see biogeographic region ). On a mountain, plant and animal species vary at different elevations as well as among the north, south, east, and west slopes.