explain how a hydrarch succession progresses from hydric to mesic condition and forms stable climax community. why is the rate of secondary succession faster than that of primary succession?
Dear Student,
Answer of the first part:
Succession initiated with the eestablishment of pioneer communities in a wet area is termed as hydrarch succession. Stages involved in hydrarch succession progresses from hydric to mesic condition and finally to a climax community is as follows:
a) In the initial stage, phytoplanktons began to multiply in the pond water and they qucikly becomes the pioneer colonizers.
b) The free-floating angiosperms replaces the small phytoplanktons.
c) The free-floating angiosperms are then replaced by rooted, submerged hydrophytes like Hydrilla, Potamogeton, Vallisneria, etc.
d) After, the species of Cyperaceae and Gramineae such as Carex, Juncus, etc colonize the area. They form a mat-like vegetation with the help of their branched rhizomatous system.
e) In the final stage, the species of shrubs and a variety of trees becomes dominant and forms the climax community.
Answer of the second part:
Secondary succession occurs at a site where an already developed community has been destroyed by some natural disturbance such as fire or flooding; or by human activity. This means that secondary succession is the development of biotic communities after the complete or partial destruction of existing community. It starts on a well-developed soil already formed at the site. Hence, the rate of secondary succession is relatively faster as compared to primary succession which may often require hundreds of years.
Regards
Answer of the first part:
Succession initiated with the eestablishment of pioneer communities in a wet area is termed as hydrarch succession. Stages involved in hydrarch succession progresses from hydric to mesic condition and finally to a climax community is as follows:
a) In the initial stage, phytoplanktons began to multiply in the pond water and they qucikly becomes the pioneer colonizers.
b) The free-floating angiosperms replaces the small phytoplanktons.
c) The free-floating angiosperms are then replaced by rooted, submerged hydrophytes like Hydrilla, Potamogeton, Vallisneria, etc.
d) After, the species of Cyperaceae and Gramineae such as Carex, Juncus, etc colonize the area. They form a mat-like vegetation with the help of their branched rhizomatous system.
e) In the final stage, the species of shrubs and a variety of trees becomes dominant and forms the climax community.
Answer of the second part:
Secondary succession occurs at a site where an already developed community has been destroyed by some natural disturbance such as fire or flooding; or by human activity. This means that secondary succession is the development of biotic communities after the complete or partial destruction of existing community. It starts on a well-developed soil already formed at the site. Hence, the rate of secondary succession is relatively faster as compared to primary succession which may often require hundreds of years.
Regards