Human activities and natural phenomena have constantly reform our environment.

Colonisation is the process whereby living organisms move into this newly formed area which is completely devoid of life. Species that colonise in thiese newly formed area is called the pioneer species.

These pioneer species have special adaptations to enable them to surevive on dry nutrient-poor or sands namely plants. Succession of a habitat takes place when successor species move into the modified environment, complete and gradually replace the pioneer species.

 Successor species grow larger than the the pioneer species, thus cutting off light, nutrients and space of the pioneer species and finally eliminating them. This succession process continues with better adapted successor species. Finally after many levels of succession, a balanced and stable community called the climax community forms. For example, in Malaysia, the climax community is the tropical rainforest.

 There are four group plants that play important roles in the colonization and succession of a newly formed pond; 1. Submerged plants(hydrillia) 2. Amphibious plants(Cyperus) 3. Floating plants(lotus) 4. Land plants There are four stages of colonization and succession in a oand which are: 1. Pioneer stage 2. Succession by aquatic plants 3. Succession by amphibious plants 4. Succession by land plants 5. Cilmax community

Colonisation and Succession in Mangrove Swamp.

Mangrove swamps are found in tropical and subtropical regions where freshwater meets salt water. They are characterized by soft, muddy soil with high concentration of salt and very low levels of oxygen Mangrove trees such as Avicennia sp. Have long underground cable roots that support them in the soft and muddy soil. These roots also produce hundreds of thin, vertical breating roots called pneumatophores.

 Another type of of mangrove trees, the Rhizophora sp. Have prop roots. These are aerial roots that not only anchor the plants to the mud.
The leaves of mangroves have thick cuticles that help them reduce transpiration during hot weather.

Mangrove seeds are able to germinate while still being attached to the parent tree which is called vivipary.

 Mangrove swamps along tropical bays show zonation. It starts with the Avicennia sp. And Sonneratia sp. Zone. Then the middle zone is inhabitaed by Rhizophora sp. But, the inland zone is less frequently covered by sea water. This is where Bruguiera sp. Grows.

 The pioneer species in a mangrove swamp are the Avicennia sp. and Sonneratia sp. Then, as time passes by, the soil becomes more compact and firm. This condition favours the Rhizophora sp. Because its arching roots trap silt and mud, creating a firmer soil. Finally the buttress roots of Bruguirea sp. Form loops which protrude from the soil to trap more silt and mud.

 Over time the Pandanus sp. Begin to replace Bruguiera sp.

This will lead the mangrove into a terrestrial forest and then a tropical rainforest.