Ecosystem

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
The function of an organism or the role plays in
an ecosystem.
Colonisation and Succession
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.
Colonisation & Succession in
Mangrove Swamps
(Paya Bakau)
Mangrove swamps found in tropical regions
where fresh water meets salt water.
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
Bad condition of
Mangrove Swamps
Problems faced by
mangroves trees
Adaptations
Soft muddy soil,
strong coastal
winds
Support problem
High
concentration of
salt
Hypertonic to root cells,
problem in seeds
germination.
Very low levels of
oxygen
Root breathing problem
in anaerobic condition
Exposed to
intensity of
sunlight
The rate of transpiration
increase caused water
loss
Avicennia sp.
Succulent leaves
Long underground
cable roots with
pneumatophore
(breathing root)
Sonneratia sp.
Rhizophora sp.
Prop roots of Rhizophora sp.
Viviparous seedlings which able to germinate
while still being attach to the parent tree.
Bruguiera sp.
Buttress root of
Bruguiera sp.
Viviparous seedlings and succulent leaves
Zonation of Mangrove Swamps
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.
Animation
Distribution of different mangrove species at the mouth of a river.
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Processes of Colonisation and Succession in a Pond
Pioneer stage
Succession by
floating plants
Succession by
emergent plants
Succession by
herbaceous plants
Succession by
woody plants
Climax Community
(sunken aquatic plants such as Hydrilla, Cabomba)
(sedge, cattails)
duckweeds (Lemna sp.), lotus,
water hyacinths (Eichornia sp.)
When the
species die
decompose
Organic matter converted
into humus
Deposited at the base of
the pond
The pond become shallow
Eroded soil from
the pond bank
(pond apron)
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2
Animation
Pioneer stage
When pioneer plants die and
decompose, the organic matter settle
to the bottom of the pond and make
the pond shallower.
This produce suitable conditions for
aquatic floating plants.
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 amphibious plants
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.
The aquatic plants are succeeded by
amphibious plants.
Succession by herbaceous plants
The continued deposition of organic
matter enables grass to gradually
replace amphibious plants.
Succession by woody plants
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.
Finally land plants and other woody
plants will replace the amphibious
plants and form a jungle.
Climax community
The succession will stop when a
level of balance is achieved.