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Habitat : the natural place in which an organism lives A Population : a group of organisms from the same species living in certain area A community : the plants & animals that live in a certain habitat
The process of succession : a certain dominant plant species in a habitat is gradually replaced by another plant species (successor species) Proceed stage by stage until a stable & matured community climax community (Eg. : tropical rain forest in Msia)
These pioneer organisms carry out photosynthesis to provide food for other organisms Pioneer die & decompose organic substance produced will be deposited at the bottom of the pond The banks of the pond are eroded & the soil settles the bottom of the pond more shallow, not suitable for the submerged water plants, phytoplankton.
The pioneer species cannot carry out photosynthesis die The decayed organic substance from the pioneer species continued to be deposited ponds becomes too shallow for the floating water plants
3 types of mangrove trees are involved in the process of colonisation & succession :
Avicennia sp. & Sonneratia sp. (pioneer) Rhizophora sp. (successor) Bruguiera sp. (successor)
Mangrove trees adaptive characteristics to overcome the problems it faces in the environment :
A root system that spread out widely provide support in soft muddy soil Pneumatophores breathing roots, protrude out of the soil enables gaseous exchange (waterlogged soil lack of O2)
The roots of mangrove trees can withstand the highly saline seawater by having the higher osmotic pressure of the cell sap than the surrounding water osmosis occurs [hydathode in the epidermis of leaves secrete excess salts from the plants to control the osmotic pressure] Leaves : have thick cuticle & sunken stomata to reduce transpiration, thick & succulent to store water Have viviparity seeds begin to germinate while still attached to the parent tree. the seeds will get sufficient O2 from the atmosphere during germination & will not suffocated for lack of air in a waterlogged environment. Also prevent dehydration of seed
The widely spread roots trap mud accumulate the bank slowly raised, less water More suitable for Rhizophora sp. As the successor
The prop roots are able to trap mud. The pioneer species & the Rhizophora sp. die & decay, adding humus to the soil The banks are raised up even higher more solid/ compact, fertile & less saline Not suitable for Rhizophora sp. replaced by the Bruguiera sp.