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Succession in the Lithosere
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Succession in the Lithosere
Eldgjá
A volcanic eruption in the south of Iceland created the Eldgjá canyon
It was the largest flood basalt in historic time, with an areal extent of lava of 800km2.
It would appear that it is still in the early stages of the sucession.
The first species to colonise the area are called pioneer species. In this case it would be something like an algae or lichen.
The lichen break down the rock and minerals and nutrients are released.
The development of a community of species on bare rock.
The abiotic factors eventually become less extreme as the soil builds up and plants get larger.
Examples of abiotic factors:
- The light will decrease as plants grow taller.
- Turbulence will decrease as trees provide shelter.
- The pH levels will neutralise (become less acidic or alkaline)
Lithoseres can be created by events such as a volcanic eruption, a cliff fall or the retreat of a glacier.
The higher levels of minerals (and nutrients) enable other, more advanced species to develop.
In this case, grasses.
When the edaphic factors are adequate, trees can start to colonise.
Quiz
1. What is a pioneer species?
2. Name one abiotic factor and how it changes.
3. How do the minerals and nutrients come to be?
Small tree species come first, e.g. mountain ash or hawthorn, with larger trees such as birch or pine developing after.
The hydrosere and lithosere are very different in the early stages, but the final products are very similar.