Ecological Niche and Succession

Ecological niche
i. The term niche was for the first time used by Joseph Grinnel (1971) to explain microhabitats of organsims. ii. In ecology, a niche is a term describing the relational position of a species or population in an ecosystem.

Species A

Niche represented by a 2-dimensional area

Separate niches

Species A

Species B

No overlap of niches. So coexistence is possible

Overlapping niches

Species B

Species C

Interspecific p competition occurs where the niches overlap

This niche is not big enough for the both of us!

Species A Species D

Very heavy competition leads to competitive exclusion One O species must go i

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
Ecosystems - dynamic in nature It is observed that one type of a community is totally replaced by another type of community over a period of time and simultaneously several changes also occur. This process is known as ecological succession. Ecological succession is defined as an orderly process of changes in the community structure and function with time mediated through modifications in the physical environment and ultimately creating a stabilized ecosystem known as climax. ti t bili d t k li The whole sequence of communities which are transitory are known as Seral stages or seres whereas the community establishing first of all in the area is called a pioneer community.

Ecological successions starting on different types of areas or substrata are named differently as follows: i. Hydrarch or Hydrosere: Starting in watery area like pond, swamp ii. Mesarch: starting in an area of adequate moisture. iii. Xerarch or Xerosere: Starting in a dry area with little moisture iv. Lithosere : starting on a bare rock v. P Psammosere : starting on sand i d vi. Halosere : starting on saline soil

Process of Succession
The process of succession takes place in a systematic order of sequential steps as follows: (i) Nudation: development of a bare area without any life form. p y The bare area may be caused due to: landslides, volcanic eruption, drought, glaciers, overgrazing, disease outbreak, agricultural and industrial activities. (ii) Invasion: The successful establishment of one or more species on a bare area through dispersal or migration or establishment. The first species are said to be Pioneer species

( ) (iii) Competition and coaction: p As the number of individuals grows there is competition, both inter-specific and intra-specific They influence each other in a number of ways, known as coaction. (iv) Reaction: The living organisms grow, use water and nutrients from the substratum, and in turn, they have a strong influence on the environment which is modified to a large extent and this is known as reaction. The modifications are very often such that they become unsuitable for the existing species and favour some new species, which replace them. them Thus, reaction leads to several seral communities.

(v) Stabilization: The succession ultimately culminates in a more or less stable community called climax which is in equilibrium with the environment. The climax community is characterized by maximum biomass y y and symbiotic (mutually beneficial) linkages between organisms and are maintained quite efficiently per unit of available energy.

BASIC TYPES OF SUCCESSION Primary succession P i i

If an area in any of the basic environments (such as terrestrial, freshwater or marine) is colonized by organisms for the first time, time the succession is called primary succession. succession Primary succession begins on a sterile area The conditions for existence may not be favourable initially.

The stages of primary succession

Secondary succession
If the area under colonization has been cleared by due to some y sudden changes like burning, grazing, clearing, felling of trees, sudden change in climatic factors, then it is called Secondary succession The rate of secondary succession is faster than that of primary Succession Better availability of nutrient and other conditions in area

The stages of secondary succession