ECOLOGICAL
SUCCESSION (Part 2)
by
Antonio C. Antonio
July
23, 2014
Over
a month ago, I visited my daughter (Prof./Atty. Regatta Marie A. Antonio) at
the University of the Philippines – Manila campus. Walking from the parking lot to the faculty
lounge, my attention was caught by a sprig of life along the way. It was a small twig with leaves growing out
of the pavement. Using my mobile phone,
I took a picture. (Please see photo.) I
should have taken a “selfie” but thought that my face or image was inconsequential
to this very important find. While
taking the photo, my mind was already swirling with the term “ecological
succession”.
What
is ecological succession? Ecological
succession is a natural process of change in the species (fauna and flora) structure
of an ecological community over a period of time. The process begins with a few pioneering
animals and plants and a long-drawn sequence of morphology which ultimately
results to a climax community of living elements in an ecosystem. I remember having written an article entitled
“Ecological Succession” published on http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/
before. In this article, I
mentioned: “There
have been a few disturbances in the Philippine landscape in the last 25 years
that could be considered as primary succession. Notable among which is
the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 that covered most of Central Luzon with
ash. The subsequent lahar that changed the flow/stream of the river
systems in Tarlac, Pampanga and Zambales can also be included in this
disturbance regime. But if we visit these places now, there is hardly a
trace of Mt. Pinatubo’s devastating eruption. Other forms of disturbance
--- floods, landslides and storm surge --- can be considered secondary
succession since the presence of soil, which is the primary catalyst for
ecological succession, still exists.” (Antonio, 2014)
The
unique situation of the plant I captured in the photo is the absence of soil or
just a thin film of it. Although this
still very characteristic of “secondary ecological succession”, this case is
largely influenced by other factors such as: (1) the protracted rainy season
and availability of water, (2) the abundance of sunlight and (3) the absence of
any prevailing disturbance regime. It
should be noted that this solitary plant grew near an out-flow road drain which
facilitates its access to water. The
initial disturbance was due to the laying of base course materials and the paving
of the road with cement which covered soil.
But in spite of this, secondary ecological succession still happened as
evidenced by the plant growing on top of the concrete pavement.
There are
two basic types of ecological succession… primary and secondary. Both types of ecological succession are
anchored on the principle that forests and plant life will successfully grow (in
time) and survive so long as they are not subjected to disturbances. Tree planting (sans tarpaulins and photo ops)
definitely helps. But if only forests
and trees are left to their natural growing order and not disturbed by illegal
logging, slash and burn farming, land use conversion, etc.… they will
regenerate. Thanks to Mother Earth’s
capacity to heal by herself in a process called ecological succession.
Just my
little thoughts…
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