Question

How do ecosystems change over time?

Answer 1

Ecosystem:

1. A geographical area where all biotic and abiotic components interact with each other is called an ecosystem.
2. The kind of organisms found in an ecosystem is affected by environmental factors.
3. Various factors can cause a change in an ecosystem.
4. These changes include climate, habitat, invasion, pollution, invasive species, over-exploitation, and pollution.
5. When environmental conditions change, the kind of animals and plants found here also change.
6. New species substitute the former ones.

Ecological succession:

1. In a barren area, some species that are observed first of all are called pioneer species.
2. For example on a bare rock lichens are observed.
3. This kind of species makes the soil softer and more adaptive for other species.
4. After pioneer species like lichens, other kinds of plants and animals start appearing on the land called intermediate species.
5. These species are small plants like shrubs and grasses.
6. After intermediate species, large trees start dominating the area called the climax community.
7. After the establishment of a climax community, it can't be substituted easily.
8. Food chains, food webs, and energy flow can be observed in it.
9. These changes occur gradually and new species are introduced, this is called ecological succession.
10. It occurs in five stages: nudation, invasion, competition and coaction, reaction, and stabilization.
11. For example, a forest is destroyed due to fire.
12. Now on the dead organic matter, microbes will grow and decompose it, these are called serule.
13. Now the soil will become more fertile and suitable for plant growth.
14. First of all terrestrial plants will grow in the majority of shrubs and then woody plants.