A community of organisms develops gradually in time.

The development towards maturity proceeds in a series

of stages. The community that initially develops in an area is referred to as PIONEER COMMUNITY. This
community is made up of a comparatively small number of species that are primarily able to immigrate quickly
and survive under often extreme environmental conditions that are characteristic of that stage. In the course
of time, other species replace the existing ones that, in turn, are replaced by other organisms. This process
continues until a more or less stable community that is equilibrium with the existing environmental conditions
develops.
This relatively stable stage in a communitys development is called a CLIMAX COMMUNITY or simply
CLIMAX. This entire process of community development, involving species of one stage being replaced by
different species, is called SUCCESSION. The whole sequence from bare ground to the pioneer community
up to the climax is called a SUCCESSIONAL SERIES or SERE, with the various communities existing at
different points in time called SERAL STAGES. The time involved in ecological succession is in the order of
hundreds or thousands of years. This should not be confused with the millions of years involved in the
evolutionary time scale.
1.

ALLOGENIC CAUSES- parameters that are exterior to the community, also called EXOGENOUS
VARIABLES. Physical and chemical weathering's are allogenic processes affecting succession on a
bare rock. Sand and silt deposition are also allogenic process affecting pond succession.

2.

AUTOGENIC CAUSES- parameters that are inherent to the community itself, also called
ENDOGENOUS VARIABLES. Nitrogen fixation, the infilling of lakes by organic matter rather that silt,
the drying out of soil by transpiration, immigration, growth rates and coactions like competitions and
non- competition are important autogenic factors. In the course of time, the changes caused by the
earlier species which colonized the are pave the way for other species to take advantage of this
situation in order to exert their dominance.

3.

Succession is the process of establishment of communities over an ecological time scale. It is

unidirectional and includes a series of changes to the ecosystem aiming for a stable community. The
final community thus established is called climax community.
The individual stages of the succession are called seral stages. These seral stages are not discrete but
a continuum of individual events. These stages are characterized by different species of organisms
which are unique to the seral stage. Succession is usually preceded by disturbance.
Evolution can be considered as a combination of large number of such successions over geologic time
scale. Succession is limited to small time scale. The process of succession usually initiates the
formation of a single new local community at the uninhabited site. This is called as primary
succession.

4.

Causes of succession
Three major causes have been identified for the process of succession.
a. Initiating causes - These include biotic and climatic factors which destroy the existing populations of
the area. Climatic factors include wind, fire, natural disasters, erosion etc. The biotic factors include
activities of other organisms.
b. Continuing causes - This is also called as ecesis. These processes are continuous such as
aggregation, competition, migration etc. This results in a series of changes in the soil structure of the
area. Common changes include change of soil nutrients, accumulation of organic matter in litter or
humic layer, change in soil pH etc.
c. Stabilizing causes. These include the climatic factors resulting in the stabilization of community.

5.

Types of succession
There are mainly two types; primary and secondary succession

Primary succession is the process by which a single new community gets established in a bare area.
The species is usually microbes which act as the pioneer species of the succession. These activities are
on newly exposed landforms. Examples include lava flown areas, new sand dunes etc.

Secondary succession is the process of establishment of communities at sites where other species
originally existed and got destroyed by some activities either partially or completely.
6.

A biome is a large area with similar flora, fauna, and microorganisms. Most of us are familiar with the
tropical rainforests, tundra in the arctic regions, and the evergreen trees in the coniferous forests.
Each of these large communities contain species that are adapted to its varying conditions of water,
heat, and soil. For instance, polar bears thrive in the arctic while cactus plants have a thick skin to
help preserve water in the hot desert. To learn more about each of the major biomes, click on the
appropriate heading to the right.

7.

What is an Ecosystem?
Most of us are confused when it comes to the words ecosystem and biome. What's the difference?
There is a slight difference between the two words. An ecosystem is much smaller than a biome.
Conversely, a biome can be thought of many similar ecosystems throughout the world grouped
together. An ecosystem can be as large as the Sahara Desert, or as small as a puddle or vernal pool.
Ecosystems are dynamic interactions between plants, animals, and microorganisms and their
environment working together as a functional unit. Ecosystems will fail if they do not remain in
balance. No community can carry more organisms than its food, water, and shelter can accomodate.
Food and territory are often balanced by natural phenomena such as fire, disease, and the number of
predators. Each organism has its own niche, or role, to play.