During ecological succession, there are many seral stages, whether it is on land or water bodies.
Select the option which has the correct sequence of seral stages in a hydrarch succession.
I. Marsh-meadow stage
II. Reed-swamp stage
III. Submerged plant stage
IV. Phytoplankton stage
V. Scrub stage
During ecological succession, there are many seral stages, whether it is on land or water bodies.
Select the option which has the correct sequence of seral stages in a hydrarch succession.
I. Marsh-meadow stage
II. Reed-swamp stage
III. Submerged plant stage
IV. Phytoplankton stage
V. Scrub stage
The correct option is A IV → III → II → I → V
Ecological succession is a steady, gradual change in the composition and structure of biotic communities of an area. It is predictable, sequential and occurs in accordance with the changing physical environment.
The ultimate purpose of ecological succession is to form an established climax community which is in near equilibrium with the environment. In an effort to reach this equilibrium, many transitional communities known as seral stages are formed. The entire sequence of communities that successively change in a given area is called sere.
Hydrarch succession starts in wet areas and progresses towards mesic conditions (medium water conditions).
The sequence of communities in hydrarch succession are as follows:
Phytoplankton stage - Phytoplankton (blue-green algae, green algae, diatoms and bacteria) are primary colonizers in water bodies. These are called pioneer species. The death of these organisms provides organic matter or humus to the bottom layer of soil.
Submerged plant stage - Phytoplankton stage is followed by the submerged rooted plant stage.
With time, the death and decay of submerged plants leads to the build-up of substratum. The water body gets shallower as water level decreases.
Submerged free floating plant stage - At this stage the water body is colonised by the plants which are rooted in mud with their large leaves floating on the water surface.
Reed-swamp stage - The water is now suitable for emergent plants like reed-grasses, they bind the mud and produce litter. Plants have well developed rhizomes and form dense vegetation over the area.
Marsh-meadow stage - As the water surface is covered by vegetation which further binds the soil and the habitat is suitable for the herbs to grow. The water body eventually transforms into a marsh.
Scrub stage - With time the soil becomes suitable for the development of shrubs. The stage in hydrarch succession which is dominated by shrubs is called scrub stage.
Forest Stage - Forest stage is the climax community in hydrarch succession. The area is invaded by a variety of large tree forms which soon develops into a climax community.
Hence, in hydrarch succession, the successional series progresses from hydric (wet) to the mesic conditions (medium water conditions).
Ecological succession is a steady, gradual change in the composition and structure of biotic communities of an area. It is predictable, sequential and occurs in accordance with the changing physical environment.
The ultimate purpose of ecological succession is to form an established climax community which is in near equilibrium with the environment. In an effort to reach this equilibrium, many transitional communities known as seral stages are formed. The entire sequence of communities that successively change in a given area is called sere.
Hydrarch succession starts in wet areas and progresses towards mesic conditions (medium water conditions).
The sequence of communities in hydrarch succession are as follows:
Phytoplankton stage - Phytoplankton (blue-green algae, green algae, diatoms and bacteria) are primary colonizers in water bodies. These are called pioneer species. The death of these organisms provides organic matter or humus to the bottom layer of soil.
Submerged plant stage - Phytoplankton stage is followed by the submerged rooted plant stage.
With time, the death and decay of submerged plants leads to the build-up of substratum. The water body gets shallower as water level decreases.
Submerged free floating plant stage - At this stage the water body is colonised by the plants which are rooted in mud with their large leaves floating on the water surface.
Reed-swamp stage - The water is now suitable for emergent plants like reed-grasses, they bind the mud and produce litter. Plants have well developed rhizomes and form dense vegetation over the area.
Marsh-meadow stage - As the water surface is covered by vegetation which further binds the soil and the habitat is suitable for the herbs to grow. The water body eventually transforms into a marsh.
Scrub stage - With time the soil becomes suitable for the development of shrubs. The stage in hydrarch succession which is dominated by shrubs is called scrub stage.
Forest Stage - Forest stage is the climax community in hydrarch succession. The area is invaded by a variety of large tree forms which soon develops into a climax community.
Hence, in hydrarch succession, the successional series progresses from hydric (wet) to the mesic conditions (medium water conditions).
