1.

a. What is meant by ecological succession? Explain how it occurs. b. What properties distinguish a pioneer community from a climax community?

Answer»

a. The sequential, gradual and predictable changes in the species composition in an area are called succession or ecological succession.

Ecological succession is of two types: 

i. Primary succession: It begins in areas where no living organisms ever existed. Therefore, the establishment of a biotic community is very slow, e.g., newly cooled lava, bare rock, newly created pond or reservoir. 

ii. Secondary succession: It begins in areas where natural biotic communities have been destroyed, e.g., abandoned farm lands, buried or cut forests. Since soil is available, it is a faster process.

b.

S. No.Pioneer communityClimax community
(i)








 		The species which invade a bare area or land to initiate succession is called pioneer community.The last or final stage in a succession constitute the climax community.


 
(ii)



 		The pioneer species have high reproductive rate.The climax species have low reproductive rate.
(iii)


 		The pioneer species have short life span.The climax species have long life span.
(iv)


 		They are replaceable.

 		They are stable and not replaced.


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