Question

Which of the following is not true about succession?

• A. It is a natural process of change in species structure and community with time.
• B. It is a gradual and predictable change.
• C. Progressive increase in the amount of living biomass as succession proceeds.
• D. Food chain relationship becomes less complex as succession proceeds.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Ecosystem characteristics that change during succession:
i) Change in the diversity of species i.e., some species colonize an area and their populations become more numerous, whereas populations of other species decline and even disappear.
ii) Little diversity to a high degree of diversity i.e., increase in the number of species.
iii) Total biomass increases.
iv) Increase in humus content of the soil.
v) Aquatic or dry conditions to mesic conditions i.e, both Hydrarch and Xerarch succession lead to medium water conditions (mesic), neither too dry (xeric) nor too wet (hydric).
vi) Vegetational changes, in turn, affect food and shelter for various types of animals. Thus, as succession proceeds, the number and types of animals and decomposers also change.