Ecological Succession as observed in the

Tropical Rainforest and Tropical Grassland 1

Lazo, Ivan Jed T.

Group 3, Sec. X-1L

April 19, 2013

_________________
1

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Principles of

Ecology laboratory under Prof. Faith S. Maranan, 2md sem., 2015-2016.

ABSTRACT
Ecological succession was observed in both grassland and
forest communities. A 10x20 m transect was set up in the forest
study site while a 30 m transect belt was set up in the grass study
site was set up. For the forest study site, species and individual
species count were recorded and the density and relative density
was calculated. For the grassland study site, species and species
cover were recorded and the percent cover and relative cover
were calculated. The Shannon and Simpson indices of diversity
were then calculated both for the forest and grassland
communities. Results showed that the forest is already in the
climax stage while the grassland stage is still in succession stage.
The results also showed that the forest has a higher diversity as
compared to the grassland community. Therefore, ecological
succession was taking place in the grassland community and no
succession was taking place in the forest community.

INTRODUCTION
Ecosystems are usually distinctly characterized by their physical
properties such as topography and soil and by the interactions of plant and
animal populations. However, broad climatological and geological patterns that
comprises our planet gives rise to regional patterns in the distribution of different
ecosystems. These regional patterns usually support similar ecosystems and
communities and these similar ecosystem, like tropical rain forests, grasslands,
and deserts, are referred to as biomes (Smith and Smith, 2012).
According to PAGASA (n.d.), the Philippines has a tropical and maritime
climate, characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and abundant rainfall. In a
sense, it is similar to the climates of Central America. Due to the Philippines
being in the tropics, it can be said that our general vegetation are that of tropical
rainforests (Hogeschool Utrecht, n.d.). However, the presence of tropical
grasslands can be accounted for by severe natural disasters that occur in the

Philippines, from severe droughts to devastating typhoons, and human activity,

which destroys forest vegetation (Country Studies, 2015). Since forest vegetation
is constantly being destroyed and replaced by grassland vegetation, succession
can be observed.
As broadly described by Smith and Smith (2012), succession is the
change of a community structure in a certain location throughout community. To
measure and quantify succession, one can look at the species diversity. There
are usually two indices used to measure diversity and these are the Simpson and
Shannon indices. The Simpson index measures the chances that two individuals
randomly selected will fall into the same category of species. On the other hand,
the Shannon index considers both the species richness and evenness.
The way that each specimen for this exercise will be counted for the
indices will be different, both for the forest and grassland communities. For the
forest community, density, which is the number of individuals per unit area, will be
used due to the fact that the individuals found there are distinct from one another,
ie. genets. On the other hand, cover, which is the area covered by each
specimen, will be used due to the fact that individuals are not well defined and
are ramets (Whittaker, 1972).
The objectives of the experiment are to:
1. Infer stages of ecological succession after the study of grassland and forest
communities; and
2. Describe the structures of tropical rainforest and tropical grassland
communities through measures of species diversity and dominance indices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the tropical rainforest, the class traveled to the forest study site.
Throughout the journey, vegetation (eg. grasses, vines, shrubs, and tree
saplings) on both sides of the trail were observed and taken into account.
After arriving in the forest area, a relatively flat topography was searched
for. A belt transect measuring 10x20 m was then set up. All plant species found
were taken into account and each member for each plant species were counted.
After recording the species and species count, population density and relative
density were calculated using the formulas below.
Population density=

number of individuals of a speciesthebelt transect

area of thebelt transect

Relative density ( i )=

Number of individuals of a species

Total number of individuals for all species

For the tropical grassland, the class traveled to the grassland study site.
Throughout the journey, vegetation (eg. tress and shrubs) on both sides of the
trail were taken into account. Agricultural activities in the area were also
observed and taken into account.
After arriving in the grassland are, an area where vegetation is least
disturbed was searched for. After an area was found, its topography was taken
note of and a 30 m transect line in the area was set up. All plants species found
were taken into account and the cover for each species that were intercepted by

the transect line were measured and taken into account. After recording the
species and species cover, their percent cover and their relatively cover were
calculated using the formulas below.
Cover=

Total intercept lenght for a species

x 100
Total transect length

Relative cover ( i )=

Totalintercept length for a species

Total intercept lengt h for all species

After consolidating data from both the forest and grassland community, the
indices were computed for using the following formulas below.
Index

Formula
S

Shannon Index of Diversity

(H)

H ' = i x ln i

Shannon
Index
Evenness (J)

of

J=

Simpson
Index
Dominance (D)

of

D= i 2

i=1

H'
ln S
S

i=1

Simpson Index of Diversity

SID = 1-D
(SID)
SID
Simpson
Index
of
E=
S
Equitability (E)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Descriptions
S = species richness
= number of species
i = proportion of total
sample belonging to the ith
species
(use
relative
density or relative cover for
TRF
or
grassland,
respectively)

Grassland and forest communities can be identified as in the stages of

succession when certain indicators are seen. Generally, a community that is in
ecological succession have pioneer species that are r-selected species that are
fast growing and evenly dispersed. These pioneer species are then slowly
overtaken by the k-selected species which are more competitive for resources
and space. Species which are more suited for the newer environment then begin
to overtake the older species. This continues on and on until a state of
equilibrium is achieved. It can be said now that succession has stopped (Kukreja,
2016).

Table 4C.1. Species present along the trail to tropical forest and tropical grassland study
sites.
Grass and short-statured species found along the road/trail to forest study site

Tree and shrub species found along the road/trail to grassland study site

 Few grass species

Fishtail palm
Ferns
Shrubs
Vines
Kakwate
Sapinit
Saccharum
Imperata
Makahiya
Ipomoea
Ageratum

Based on table above, it can be inferred that forest study site is no longer
in a stage of succession since there are no r-strategists found along the trail that
leads into the site. It can also be said that the forest is now in the climax stage.
The climax stage is the stage in ecological succession in which the community of
the ecosystem is stable and does not change and in this stage, virtually all niches
are occupied which allows for more diversity (Biology Questions and Answers,
2016). However, for the grassland study site, succession can be observed. This
succession is accounted for by the different k-strategists found along the trail
leading to the study site.
As previously discussed in the introduction of this scientific paper,
Philippines is a tropical country. Not only that, but it is also a geographically
active and it is located along the typhoon belt (Country Studies, 2016). In this
sense, there is a lot of means by which succession can occur in the country.

Before the process of succession in the Philippines can be described, the

types of succession must first be explained. There are two types of succession,
mainly primary and secondary succession. Primary succession is observed when
an area that is devoid of any plant or animal life (eg. sand dunes and cooled lava
flows) is slowly inhabited by pioneer species like lichens and bacteria that can
grow on rocks. These species help break down rocks to form soil in which allows
other plants and animals to thrive in a less hostile environment. Secondary
succession, on the other hand, is observed when a primarily established
ecosystem is disrupted by changes in the environment. Since soil is already
present, the site does not pioneer species for other plants and animals to thrive
in the site (Gustafson, 2016).
Now that the types of succession has been explained, succession in the
Philippines can be explained. Primary succession takes place here in the
Philippines in areas that are near active volcanoes or in uninhabited sand dunes.
Pioneer species begin to inhabit these areas until the harsh area become more
suitable for floral and faunal species. This goes on until the ecosystem reaches a
climax. When the ecosystem is disturbed by typhoons, tornadoes, volcanic
activity or by human activities, the established ecosystem loses its climax and
enters the secondary succession. Here, r-strategists dominate first then are
slowly overtaken by k-strategists.
The forest study site observed is a secondary growth forest. This can be
said due to the historical evidence provided both by the locals. According to
them, the forest was burned down during the Japanese occupation of the

Philippines. Since the site was disturbed by human activity, it can be said that the
site is a secondary growth forest.
Primary growth forests are usually forests that have not undergone any
major changes for the past 100 150 years, has young, middle aged, mature,
and dead trees and usually provides a home for a vast array of fauna. Another
characteristic of primary growth forests is their resilience to change (Oregon
Wild, 2014).

Table 4C.2. Species composition in the tropical rainforest.

Species
Bauhinea
Linstonia
Caryota
Arengga
Triplaris
Celtis
Guazuma
Shorea
Dracaena
Ixora
Goniothalaon
us
Parashorea
Nemecylon
Pterocarpus
Bagong aso
Drypetes
Glospiros
Unknown 1
Unknown 2
Unknown 3

Number
of
individua
ls
3
1
5
3
81
21
4
1
1
1

Populati
on
Density

Relative
Density, pi

ln pi

pi x ln
pi

pi2

0.015
0.005
0.025
0.015
0.405
0.105
0.02
0.005
0.005
0.005

0.017
0.006
0.028
0.017
0.448
0.116
0.022
0.006
0.006
0.006

-4.09988
-5.1985
-3.58906
-4.09988
-0.80405
-2.15397
-3.8122
-5.1985
-5.1985
-5.1985

-0.068
-0.029
-0.099
-0.068
-0.360
-0.250
-0.084
-0.029
-0.029
-0.029

2.747E-04
3.052E-05
7.631E-04
2.747E-04
2.003E-01
1.346E-02
4.884E-04
3.052E-05
3.052E-05
3.052E-05

0.005

0.006

-5.1985

-0.029

3.052E-05

3
1
3
1
2
1
1
2
2

0.015
0.005
0.015
0.005
0.01
0.005
0.005
0.01
0.01

0.017
0.006
0.017
0.006
0.011
0.006
0.006
0.011
0.011

-4.09988
-5.1985
-4.09988
-5.1985
-4.50535
-5.1985
-5.1985
-4.50535
-4.50535

-0.068
-0.029
-0.068
-0.029
-0.050
-0.029
-0.029
-0.050
-0.050

2.747E-04
3.052E-05
2.747E-04
3.052E-05
1.221E-04
3.052E-05
3.052E-05
1.221E-04
1.221E-04

Unknown 4
2
0.01
Coffea
5
0.025
Swietenia
9
0.045
Antiestesma
1
0.005
Dieffenbachi
1
0.005
a
Platimytra
1
0.005
Pentandous
1
0.005
Kong
2
0.01
Cordyline
3
0.015
Synometra
2
0.01
Chysochetra
1
0.005
Uvana
1
0.005
Artocarpus
4
0.02
Compandra
1
0.005
Amorphophal
2
0.01
ous
#98
3
0.015
#100
2
0.01
#106
1
0.005
#95
1
0.005
TOTAL
181
0.905
*Species richness 39; Total quadrat

0.011
0.028
0.050
0.006

-4.50535
-3.58906
-3.00127
-5.1985

-0.050
-0.099
-0.149
-0.029

1.221E-04
7.631E-04
2.472E-03
3.052E-05

0.006

-5.1985

-0.029

3.052E-05

0.006
0.006
0.011
0.017
0.011
0.006
0.006
0.022
0.006

-5.1985
-5.1985
-4.50535
-4.09988
-4.50535
-5.1985
-5.1985
-3.8122
-5.1985

-0.029
-0.029
-0.050
-0.068
-0.050
-0.029
-0.029
-0.084
-0.029

3.052E-05
3.052E-05
1.221E-04
2.747E-04
1.221E-04
3.052E-05
3.052E-05
4.884E-04
3.052E-05

0.011

-4.50535

-0.050

1.221E-04

-4.09988
-4.50535
-5.1985
-5.1985
-174.98

-0.068
-0.050
-0.029
-0.029
-2.45

2.747E-04
1.221E-04
3.052E-05
3.052E-05
0.22

pi x ln
pi

pi2

-0.17
-0.04
-0.12
-0.06

3.45E-03
7.85E-05
1.37E-03
2.40E-04

-0.20
-0.02
-0.06
-0.12
-0.22
-0.02
0.00
-0.01
-1.04

6.13E-03
7.15E-06
1.73E-04
1.20E-03
5.55E-01
1.41E-05
3.93E-07
2.66E-06
0.57

0.017
0.011
0.006
0.006
1
size 200m 2

Table 4C.3. Species composition in the tropical grassland.

Intercept
Relative Cover,
Species
ed length %Cover
ln pi
pi
(cm)
Elephantopu
s
140.6
0.047
0.059
-2.83
Ipomoea
21.2
0.007
0.009
-4.73
Saccharum
88.6
0.030
0.037
-3.30
Desmodium 37.1
0.012
0.016
-4.17
Calopogoniu
m
187.4
0.062
0.078
-2.55
Synedrella
6.4
0.002
0.003
-5.92
Crotolaria
31.5
0.011
0.013
-4.33
Mimosa
82.8
0.028
0.035
-3.36
Imperata
1783
0.594
0.745
-0.29
Psidium
9
0.003
0.004
-5.58
Unknown 1
1.5
0.001
0.001
-7.37
Unknown 2
3.9
0.001
0.002
-6.42
TOTAL
2393
0.80
1.00
-51
*Species richness 12; Total quadrat size 3000cm

Table 4C.4. Diversity and similarity indices in tropical grassland and tropical
rainforest.
Community
S
H
J
D
SID
E
Type
Tropical forest
39
2.45
0.67
0.22
0.78
0.020
Tropical
12
1.04
0.42
0.57
0.43
0.036
grassland

Based on the Shannon index (Table 4C.4), the tropical rainforest study site
is much more diverse. The forest study site, as observed and concluded from
Table 4C.1, is already in the climax stage which already have all of its niches
occupied, which accommodates more diversity both for plants and animals.
Based on the percent cover and relative cover in Table 4C.3, the species
that is most common in the grassland study site is Imperata. According to
Chikoye (2002), Imperata has a wide genetic variability which allows it to adapt to
a wide set of ecological conditions. Its flowering is usually observed after being
exposed to stress. In addition to that, it produces as many as 3000 seeds which
does not usually go into dormancy and its rhizomes can regenerate fast, resist
fire, and is buried deep. It can also thrive in a wide array of soil conditions,
especially in poor soil conditions due to the absence of competitors.
Unknowns 1 and 2 are supposedly the rarest species in the grassland
study site. However, the unknowns would be hard to describe, therefore,
Synedrella is the rarest species. According to the Invasive Species Compendium
(2016), Synedrella solely reproduces by seeds. This can account for its rarity in
the presence of a lot of competitors, especially Imperata which reproduces both

by seeds and asexually through rhizomes. Synedrella can also thrive in low soil
conditions but are not as well as Imperata.
The most common species in the forest (based on Table 4C.2), on the
other hand, is Triplaris. According to Haddad et. al., Triplaris forms symbiotic
relationships with ants. This symbiotic relationship can help with the seed and
pollen dispersal of the plant, allowing it to gain an upper advantage among the
other plants located within the forest study site.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

To observe ecological succession in the forest and grassland, the class
was asked to visit both a forest study site and a grassland study site. For the
forest study site, a 10x20 m transect was set up and the species and number of
individuals per species were recorded. The density and the relative density for
each species was then calculated. For the grassland study area, a 30m belt
transect was set up and the species and the cover for each species were
recorded. The percent cover and the relative density of each species were then
calculated. After the density and the covers have been calculated, the Shannon

and Simpson indices were then calculated for the forest and grassland study
sites were calculated and interpreted.
Results showed that the forest study site visited is at a climax stage of
succession in which the ecosystem is in a relative state of balance due to the fact
that no r-strategists were found along the track going through the study site.
Species diversity here is at its peak. Results also showed that species that can
fully utilize and maximize their relationship with other organisms in this stage of
succession will usually dominate the community. It is also in the forest community
in the climax stage which diversity is highest because no more succession here
is observed and almost all niches have already been occupied allowing it to
accommodate a lot of different species.
On the other hand, results showed that the grassland study site visited is
in a succession stage due to the k-strategists found along the trail going to the
site. Results also showed that plants that can thrive better in very harsh soil
conditions, have a wide genetic variety, and has a means of reproducing
asexually will usually dominate the community. It is also in the grassland in which
diversity is least observed due to the fact that there are only very few organisms
which can thrive in such very harsh environments.
Based on the results, it can be concluded that succession occurs in
grasslands and succession stops when a forest reaches its climax stage. It can
also be concluded that the forest is more diverse than the grassland due to the
forest reaching its climax stage unlike the grassland which is still in succession
stage.

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