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A community of living organisms interacting with each other and with the non-living environment
Habitat
species population Community niche
The natural environment in which an organism lives and get their food, shelter, living space, and breeding sites.
Consists of a group of organisms that look alike and have similar characteristics, share the same ecological niche and are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Consists of a group of organisms of the same species living in the same habitat at the same time. A naturally occurring collection of plant and animal species living within a defined area in and ecosystem
Human activities (e.g. forest clearing, tin mining and natural phenomena (e.g. forest fires, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions) constantly reform our environment, leaving behind bare rocks, sand, earth, or ashes with no life.
Colonisation The process whereby living organisms move into this newly formed area which is completely devoid of life.
Bare ground
Pioneer species
Succesor species
Climax community
Succession
The gradual process where one community changes its environment so that it is replaced by another community.
Adaptations
Soft muddy soil, strong coastal winds High concentration of salt Very low levels of oxygen
Support problem
Hypertonic to root cells, problem in seeds germination. Root breathing problem in anaerobic condition
Avicennia sp.
Succulent leaves
Sonneratia sp.
Rhizophora sp.
Viviparous seedlings which able to germinate while still being attach to the parent tree.
Bruguiera sp.
Animation
Seaward zone
middle zone
inland zone
The colonisation and succession occur. The condition becomes more suitable for the successors which are the dominant species at that time.
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Succession by duckweeds (Lemna sp.), lotus, floating plants water hyacinths (Eichornia sp.) Succession by emergent plants
(sedge, cattails)
Climax Community
decompose
Organic matter converted into humus Deposited at the base of the pond
Animation
Pioneer stage
When pioneer plants die and decompose, the organic matter settle to the bottom of the pond and make the pond shallower.
Sucession by aquatic floating plants Floating plants cover the surface of the pond and prevent light from entering the pond. Pioneer plants cannot perform photosynthesis and die. These dead plants will sink to the bottom and increase the organic matter layer of the bottom
Succession by herbaceous plants The continued deposition of organic matter enables grass to gradually replace amphibious plants.
Climax community The succession will stop when a level of balance is achieved.