SHANIA LALL

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

Title: Ecological Succession

Aim: To observe and note the presence of different species in a
forested area.
Materials: metre rule, measuring tape,
Procedure
A 5m belt transect was measured at various areas at 10m
intervals at a 50m area. The various species were observed and
recorded. Steps 1-2 five times were repeated to gather more
information and species to calculate species density, frequency
and diversity
Data collection/ Results
Plant/Spec
ies
type

Quadrat
1

Quadrat
2

Quadrat
3

Quadrat
4

Quadrat
5

26

10

20

18

28

36

TABLE 1 SHOWING DATA COLLECTED IN SITE #1

SPECIES DIVERSITY
D=N (N -1)/sum of n (n-1)

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

D= Species Diversity
N = total number of organisms of all species
N= total number of organisms of a particular species
n = population of each species
CALCULATIONS FOR SITE #4
D= 188(188-1)/ 56(56-1)+ 16(16-1)+ 90(90-1)+ 10(10-1)+ 4(41)+ 12(12-1)
D= 188(187)/ 56(55)+ 16(15)+ 90(87)+ 10(9)+ 4(3)+12(11)
D= 35156/3080+240+ 7830+ 90+12+132
D= 2580/ 11456
D= 2.84
Discussion
Succession refers to changes in the composition or structure of an
ecological community. Succession may be initiated either by
formation of uncolonized area or by some form of disturbance of
an existing community. It is often referred to as primary
succession, the latter as secondary succession.
There were many plant species types, as it was a densely forested
area. There were hardly any other organisms besides plants
because the area wasnt suitable to be a habitat, as there were
activities such as oil extraction taking place in the site. It was
observed that the site consisted of mostly larger plants as the soil
texture was dry. Larger plant types have a higher survival rate in
these conditions as compared to smaller plants because they
have a larger nutrient storage. In most of the quadrats performed,
there was hardly any sunlight exposure, with the exception of
quadrats 4 and 5. The reason for this was the trees acted as a
barrier to the sunlight. The ground also mainly consisted of dead

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

leaves foliage. Litter was also present on the site, as there was
presence of humans. This particular site is stage 3 of ecological
succession which is establishment of species. This is because
there were large plants present in the area compared to smaller
ones. The species diversity was found to be at 2.84. This accounts
for the scarcity of different species although minimal human
interference took place. The site contained large trees that were
dominant to smaller plants. These trees tend to obtain more
nutrients in the soil.

Conclusions
The area is inhabited by various plant species and insects. Site #4
is in stage three of ecological succession. The species diversity
was found to be at 2.84.

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

Title: Ecological Succession

Aim: To observe the various stages of succession using specific
sampling techniques.
Materials: 1m x1m quadrat, meter rule
Procedure
A 1m x 1m quadrat was randomly thrown around the area. The
species were recorded within the samples. Step 1 was done a
total of 11 times to obtain more species
OBSERVATIONS/ RESULTS
Plant
Type

Quadrat Number
4
5
6

10

10

15

20

15

60

80

75

73

20

15

100

10

11

10

12

20

18

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

TABLE SHOWING THE DATA COLLECTED IN SITE #2

SPECIES DIVERSITY

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

D=N (N -1)/sum of n (n-1)

D= Species Diversity
N = total number of organisms of all species
N= total number of organisms of a particular species
n = population of each species
D= 651(653-1)/ 18(18-1) +21(21-1)+ 69(69-1)+ 454(454-1)+ 7(71)+3(3-1)+ 6(6-1)+ 25(25-1)+3(3-1)+ 7(7-1)+ 38(38-1)
D= 651(652)/ 18(17)+ 21(20)+ 69(68)+454(453)+7(6)+ 3(2)+
6(5)+ 26(25)+ 3(2)+ 7(6)+ 38(37)
D= 424452/ 306+ 420+ 4692+
205662+42+6+30+650+6+42+1406
D= 425756/ 213262
D= 1.99
DISCUSSION
Ecological succession is the changes in the composition or
structure of an ecological community.
Ecological change can be influenced by various factors, by the
interactions of the species present, and by more s factors such as
availability of colonists or seeds, or weather conditions at the time
of disturbance. There was a larger amount of smaller plants
present to large plants. The site contained a large variety of plant
species but there were no trees present. The species were
determined to be re-established in the area after a disturbance
has occurred. This is referred to as secondary succession. The soil
in the area was fertile and as a result the colonization process was
instantaneous. The disturbance was most likely caused by
humans as vegetation was cleared to accommodate a roadway
for vehicles to pass. Plant species 4 was dominant in the area

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

because it adapted to the conditions and found a way to thrive

and reproduce. There was a lower frequency of other plant
species present because the colonization process takes a period
of time, in addition to those plants probably not surviving in these
conditions as a result of human activity. The species diversity was
found to be at 1.99, which is the lowest of all four sites. The
reason being disturbances were constantly taking place as the
site was an active passageway for vehicles, thus few species can
colonize the area.
Conclusions
The area is inhabited by various plant species and insects. Site #2
is in stage two of ecological succession. The species diversity was
found to be at 1.99

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

Title: Ecological Succession

Aim: To observe the various stages of succession using a 1m x1m
quadrat
Materials: 1m x1m quadrat, meter rule
Procedure
A 1m x 1m quadrat was randomly thrown around the area.
Step 1 was done 10 times to obtain more information. The
species were recorded within the samples.
OBSERVATIONS/ RESULTS
No. Of
quadrats

Plant
Species A

Plant
Species
B

Plant
Species
C

Plant
Species
D

Plant
Species
E

Plant
Species
F

41

15

12

29

121

13

19

17

12

31

13

11

103

19

10

45

31

2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10

TABLE SHOWING DATA COLLECTED IN SITE #1

SPECIES DIVERSITY
D=N (N -1)/sum of n (n-1)
D= Species Diversity

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

N = total number of organisms of all species

N= total number of organisms of a particular species
n = population of each species
D= 613(613-1)/ 125( 125-1) + 370 ( 370-1) + 31(31-1) + 39 (391) + 16(16-1) + 9(9-1)
D= 613(612)/ 125(124) + 370 (369) + 31(30) + 39(38) + 16(15)
+ 9(8)
D= 375156/ 15500 + 136530 + 930+ 1482+ 240+ 72
D= 375156/ 154754
D= 2.42
DISCUSSION
Ecological succession is the changes of an ecological community.
This can be caused by a disturbance such as fires, human
interference etc. There are various stages of ecological
succession. However the stage that this site was determined to be
was secondary succession. This stage occurs when species re
colonize the area after there has been a disturbance. The field
was constantly maintained to accommodate sporting activities
that took place. The site was mostly colonized by small plants and
occasionally, a few insects. This is because these organisms have
adapted to the constant human interference that is present. Some
plants adapted to dry soil conditions and well as a lack of
minerals. The species diversity was found to be at 2.42. This is
because the area contained less species types as there was
human interference, as the area was used for recreational
purposes.
Conclusions

SHANIA LALL
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

6LA

The area is inhabited by various plant species and insects. Site #1

is in the stage two of secondary succession. The species diversity
was found to be at 2.42.