An intermediate stage found in ecological succession in an ecosystem ...
- An important characteristic of all communities is that composition and structure constantly change in
response to the changing environmental conditions. This change is orderly and sequential, parallel with the changes in the physical environment. These changes lead finally to a community that is in near equilibrium with the environment and that is called a climax community. The gradual and fairly predictable change in the species composition of a given area is called ecological succession. During succession some species colonise an area and their populations become more numerous, whereas populations of other species decline and even disappear.
- The entire sequence of communities that successively change in a given area are called sere(s). The individual transitional communities are termed seral stages or seral communities. In the successive seral stages there is a change in the diversity of species of organisms, increase in the number of species and organisms as well as an increase in the total biomass. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
- Based on the nature of the habitat – whether it is water (or very wet areas) or it is on very dry areas – succession of plants is called hydrach or xerarch, respectively. Hydrarch succession takes place in wetter areas and the successional series progress from hydric to the mesic conditions. As against this, xerarch succession takes place in dry areas and the series progress from xeric to mesic conditions.
- An ecological niche is a role and position a species has in its environment; how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces. A species' niche includes all of its interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors of its environment. Biotic factors are living things, while abiotic factors are nonliving things.
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An intermediate stage found in ecological succession in an ecosystem ...
Intermediate stage in ecological succession
An intermediate stage found in ecological succession in an ecosystem is called a "sere." It refers to the series of communities that develop and replace each other over time in a given area. Each stage in the sere represents a different community of species with varying levels of diversity and biomass.
Diversity of species
As the sere progresses, there is an increase in the diversity of species in the ecosystem. Initially, pioneer species, which are adapted to colonize barren or disturbed areas, establish themselves. These species are usually hardy and can tolerate harsh conditions. Over time, as the environment becomes more stable and the habitat improves, a wider range of species can establish themselves. This leads to an increase in the number of different species present in the ecosystem.
Increase in number of species and organisms
As the sere progresses and the ecosystem becomes more developed, the number of species and organisms also increases. The pioneer species create favorable conditions for other species to colonize the area. As more species establish themselves, they provide additional resources and niches for other organisms to exploit. This leads to an increase in the overall number of species and individuals in the ecosystem.
Increase in total biomass
Along with an increase in the number of species and organisms, the total biomass in the given area also increases during the intermediate stage of ecological succession. Biomass refers to the total mass of living organisms present in a given area. As more species establish themselves and the ecosystem becomes more productive, there is an accumulation of organic matter. This organic matter, in the form of plants, animals, and detritus, contributes to the overall biomass of the ecosystem.
Conclusion
The intermediate stage in ecological succession, known as a sere, is characterized by an increase in the diversity of species, the number of species and organisms, and the total biomass in a given area. This stage represents a transition towards a more complex and stable ecosystem, where a variety of species coexist and interact with each other.
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