Ecological Succession

Question 1

Process of succession?

Answer 1

• colonisers inhabit bare rock
• mutualistic relationship with algae and fungi
• they erode rock to make thin soil
• pioneer species inhabit area
• improve soil formation
• herbaceous plants inhabit area
• rapid growth
• larger plants -bushes
• outcompete slow growing pioneers
• trees grow slowly
• shade shrubs
• shrubs die out to shade tolerant plants
• climax community reached