Question

Odum’s succession hypothesis describes succession as an ecosystem process. Explain the changes during succession in net primary productivity, inorganic vs. organic nutrients, importance of organic matter to mineral cycles, nutrient conservation of mineral cycles.

Answer 1

• Ecosystem is a system in which biological and chemical inputs flow continously.
• The develpment of biomass by succession provides establishment for storage of biomass as a nutrient resouirce.
• When the biomass increases the storage of biomass also increases compared to the biomass output.
• Odum states that the population will reach a point at which the net production will be equal to respiration and total net production will be zero.
• He also states that the ability of securing the most available biomass is the advanced stage of succession.
• In primary succession , the biomass in the ecosystem contributes to the retention of the ecosystem.
• When the ecosystem should be in the steady state, the rate of nutrient accumulation in the soil should be zero .
• Accumulation of large amounts of organic matter alsocontribute to the ecosystem.
• But in secondary succession nutrient accumulation will be less important because nutrients has already accumulated in the soil.
• In secondary succession temporary and rapid loss of nutrients from the detritus and soil is more important.
• Here the organic matter in trhe soil should detoriate faster compared to primary succession.
• Objects which hinder the rate of organic matter absorption should be removed inorder to maintain steady fast detoriation.
• In secondary succession nutrients should al;so be utilised fast compared to primary.