046 ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

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046 ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
CONCEPT
Succession is the natural, orderly change in
plant and animal communities that occurs at the
same place over a period of time. In all
communities, the composition of species changes
over a period of time. Ecological succession
leads to species diversity as it
progresses. Secondary succession generally
occurs faster than primary succession and is
more likely to actually occur than latter
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MATERIAL REQUIRED
A plot of land Notebook Pen
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Observe the plot of land carefully and record the
observations regularly after intervals of 15
days each. This recording of the plants and
animals can continue for as long as the students
are studying in successive classes at the
school. Students should be encouraged to
differentiate between the different habits of
the recorded plants. Students should try to
make illustrations in their books of what they
see.
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The students should learn the fact that
communities in nature are dynamic and not
static. Succession leads to increase in
biodiversity. The biodiversity will be maximum
in intermediate stages and not either in the
early or late stages