In a known successional sequence, how do we to determine whether the community is at a node to be replaced?
Simply, it will be replaced. Stand age, colonization of the juveniles from next succession stage, or other?
It would likely depend on the specific ecosystem. Some ecosystems have clear plant community shifts where most of the composition changes in a short period of time, thus the idea of succession stages. In other plant communities, the shifts may be gradual, continual along the changes in biotic/abiotic environments, and thus not stepwise or in distinct stages. To address your question, one would have to be very familiar with the species and communities in the ecosystem studied, how these relate to water/nutrients/sunlight shading and competition. That of course means frequent plant composition surveys, as well as seeing if there are known early/pioneer and late successional species known in that ecosystem.
It clearly indicate that, Succession is the natural process of development of forest. As we know developing community make suitable environment for arriving community.
In India I noticed that, before 15 to 20 year Parthenium histerophorus (Herb Stage) (Exotic Species in India) with low rooting system was dominant species, now completly replaced by Prosopis juliflora (Shrub) with deep root system can withstand in scare water area even though this shrub is considered as unwanted guest. The eradication of Prosopis juliflora (Exotic Species in India) is not possible in rural area of India because, this shrub is adopted for xeric condition.
It clearly indicate that, Succession is the natural process of development of forest. Nobody, can not stop the process of succession. in future I hope these shrubs will be replaced by large trees.
Amartya K Saha Yearh, I think you are right and thank you very much. I already know some complete successional sequence, pioneer and climax species in the area that I'm studying. Maybe, I want to know whether a community is facing a succession limit that prevents it from continuing to succession.
Vidhin Sundar Kamble Thanks for your reply. I think it is a successional sequence (from herb to shrub), but it will be replaced by trees or not depend on the envrionment of the stand. I would like to know how long did the shrubs take to replace the herbs in your study area?
As Amartya K Saha mentioned above, your question depends on ecosystem. So, I brought an example of forest succession in the temperate zone (Germany). Stages of forest succession could be determined by canopy projection area, maximum diameter at breast height (DBH), and traits of regeneration layer in the temperate ecosystems.
Please see the link :
Biodiversity along temperate forest succession
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13238
- Badges
- Science topic