What is meant by ecological succession? Describe the different stages in which succession occurs?
Ecological succession is a community–controlled phenomenon in which the structure and composition of the community change in a systematic and orderly manner, eventually leading to the establishment of a climax community. Stages of Succession: - Invasion: - Invasion is the arrival of propagating organs such as seeds, spores, bulbils, etc. on a bare area of primary or secondary succession. Those for which conditions are favorable germinate in a new area and some of them grow into mature plants. These new arrivals from outside are called pioneers. Establishment: - The process by which migrants adjust themselves to new areas after the migration is called ecesic. It consists of three essential processes i.e., germination, growth, and reproduction. Aggregation: - The coming together of individuals of various species in an area are called aggregation. Competition: - The species which have similar requirements of nutrition are known as competitive species e.g., those with the different requirements are complementary species. Reaction: - It is the changes caused by colonizers within the habitat. The influence of vegetation on the site is referred to as a reaction until a stable community develops in that area.
