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Ecological Succession: Nature's Restoration Symphony

Explore the fascinating process of ecological succession, where ecosystems develop and evolve over time. Discover the patterns, examples, and impacts on biomass and diversity. Learn about the key interactions between species, such as facilitation, interference, and life history differences. Gain insights into the intricate balance of nature and the importance of restoration efforts.

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Ecological Succession: Nature's Restoration Symphony

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  1. Chapter 10 Ecological Restoration

  2. The Balance of Nature • An environmental myth that states that the natural environment, when not influenced by human activity, will reach a constant status, unchanging over time.

  3. What needs to be restored? • Wetlands, Rivers and Streams • (Ex: Kissimmee River, Everglades National Park) • Prairie Restoration • (Ex: Allwine Prairie)

  4. When Nature Restores Itself: The Process of Ecological Succession Ecological Succession: The process of the development of an ecological community or ecosystem. Two Types: • Primary Succession: The initial establishment and development of an ecosystem • Secondary Succession: The reestablishment of an ecosystem where there are remnants of a previous biological community

  5. Patterns in Succession • An initial kind of vegetation specially adapted to the unstable conditions • Small plants and other early-successional species grow and seeds spread rapidly. • Larger plants and other late successional species enter and begin to dominate the site. • A mature forest develops. Examples of Succession: Dune Succession, Bog Succession, Old-Field Succession

  6. Bog Succession

  7. Succession and Chemical Cycling • Biomass, production, diversity and chemical cycling change during succession • Biomass and diversity peak in mid-succession, increasing at first to a maximum, then declining and varying over time.

  8. Species Change in Succession Earlier and later species in succession may interact in three ways: • Facilitation • Interference • Life history differences If they do not interact, the result is termed chronic patchiness

  9. Facilitation • During succession, one species prepares the way for the next (and may even be necessary for the occurrence of the next)

  10. Interference • During succession, one species prevents the entrance of a later species into an ecosystem. • Ex) Some grasses produce dense and thick mats so the seeds of trees cannot reach the soil to germinate

  11. Life History Difference • The difference in the life histories of the species allow some time to arrive first and grow quickly, while others arrive late and grow more slowly • Ex) seed disbursal

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