Colonisation and succession occur in mangrove swamps. Pioneer mangrove species like Avicennia and Sonneratia are the first to colonize the muddy soil. They are replaced over time by successor species like Rhizophora and Bruguiera as the soil conditions improve. This process results in the distribution of different mangrove trees in different areas around river mouths. A similar process of colonisation and succession occurs in ponds, beginning with pioneer plants and progressing through stages dominated by aquatic floating plants, amphibious plants, herbaceous plants, and eventually woody plants, reaching a climax community.
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Biology Form 4: Chapter 8.2 Colonisation and Succession in an Ecosystem
2. ECOSYSTEM
A community of living organisms interacting
with each other and with the non-living
environment.
3. ï‚› HABITAT
ï‚› SPECIES
ï‚› POPULATION
 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.
4. ï‚› COMMUNITY
ï‚› NICHE
 A naturally occurring collection of plant
and animal species living within a defined
area in and ecosystem
 The function of an organism or the role
plays in an ecosystem.
9. Colonisation & Succession in Mangrove
Swamps (Paya Bakau)
ï‚› Mangrove swamps found in tropical regions where fresh water
meets salt water.
ï‚› They have a bad environment for normal plants.
 soft muddy soil and strong coastal wind
 high concentration of salt
 very low levels of oxygen
 exposed to high intensity of sunlight
15. Profile of Succession in a Mangrove Swamp
The colonisation and succession occur. The condition becomes more
suitable for the successors which are the dominant species at that
time.
19. 1. Pioneer stage
ï‚›
When pioneer plants die and decompose,
the organic matter settle to the bottom of
the pond and make the pond shallower.
ï‚›
This produce suitable conditions for aquatic
floating plants.
2. Succession by aquatic floating plants
ï‚›
Floating plants cover the surface of the
pond and prevent light from entering the
pond.
ï‚›
Pioneer plants cannot perform
photosynthesis and die. These dead plants
will sink to the bottom and increase the
organic matter layer of the bottom.
20. 3. Succession by amphibious plants
ï‚›Dead aquatic floating plants and
eroded soil from the pond banks will
raise the pond floor and make the pond
too shallow for aquatic plants to float.
ï‚›The aquatic plants are succeeded by
amphibious plants.
4. Succession by herbaceous plants
ï‚›The continued deposition of organic
matter enables grass to gradually
replace amphibious plants.
21. 5. Succession by woody plants
ï‚›The death of amphibious plants
caused continued deposition of organic
matter and evaporation of pond water
will make the pond very shallow and
eventually dry it up.
ï‚›Finally land plants and other woody
plants will replace the amphibious
plants and form a jungle.
6. Climax community
ï‚›The succession will stop when a level of
balance is achieved.