Changes in Species Richness and Assemblage Due to Ecological Succession on Rangitoto Island 2012
Successional sequence for flora species and changes in richness and assemblage due to ecological succession on Rangitoto Island, New Zealand
Successional sequence for flora species and changes in richness and assemblage due to ecological succession on Rangitoto Island, New Zealand
Abstract:
A survey of 12 different areas of various sizes was done in the study of whether or not species richness increased with ecological succession, using the areas of vegetation growth as a benchmark for stages of succession. The results proved inconclusive as to whether or not species richness increased indefinitely as succession progressed by proved that species richness and species density increased from early to mid-successional stages.
Introduction:
Rangitoto Island is geologically a young island, formed approximately 600 to 700 years ago due to volcanic eruptions. It is because of this, the island is still in various states of ecological succession and some areas have not even begun the process and remain broken fields of lava-rocks, which is why the island was chosen as a good idea to study ecological succession. The island is very dry as no streams or fresh water reservoirs are present on the island. Therefore, the series of succession being studied could be classified as a xerosere and a lithosere. (Department of Conservation, 2012)
The study on how ecological succession changes the species richness and assemblage in the region is done to prove the hypothesis that there is a positive correlation between species richness and the progressing stages of ecological succession. Rangitoto Island was chosen due its relative young age in geographical terms providing a good comparison of different stages of succession within the same ecosystem environment. A successional sequence of plants found can be assembled using the compiled data.
Figure 1 (Below): Picture shows the barren lava fields and the start of succession by herbs along the foot path and shrubs in sparse
Successional sequence for flora species and changes in richness and assemblage due to ecological succession on Rangitoto Island, New Zealand
Abstract:
A survey of 12 different areas of various sizes was done in the study of whether or not species richness increased with ecological succession, using the areas of vegetation growth as a benchmark for stages of succession. The results proved inconclusive as to whether or not species richness increased indefinitely as succession progressed by proved that species richness and species density increased from early to mid-successional stages.
Introduction:
Rangitoto Island is geologically a young island, formed approximately 600 to 700 years ago due to volcanic eruptions. It is because of this, the island is still in various states of ecological succession and some areas have not even begun the process and remain broken fields of lava-rocks, which is why the island was chosen as a good idea to study ecological succession. The island is very dry as no streams or fresh water reservoirs are present on the island. Therefore, the series of succession being studied could be classified as a xerosere and a lithosere. (Department of Conservation, 2012)
The study on how ecological succession changes the species richness and assemblage in the region is done to prove the hypothesis that there is a positive correlation between species richness and the progressing stages of ecological succession. Rangitoto Island was chosen due its relative young age in geographical terms providing a good comparison of different stages of succession within the same ecosystem environment. A successional sequence of plants found can be assembled using the compiled data.
Figure 1 (Below): Picture shows the barren lava fields and the start of succession by herbs along the foot path and shrubs in sparse
Bibliography: Biology Online,Life Science Reference. (24, June 2009). Primary succession. Retrieved from Life Science Reference - Biology Online: http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Primary_succession Department of Conservation. (2012). Features of Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve. Retrieved October 2012, from Department of Conservation:: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/auckland/hauraki-gulf-islands/rangitoto-island-scenic-reserve/features/ Julian, A. (1992). The vegetation pattern of Rangitoto. Auckland: University of Auckland. Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust. (2012). Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust. Retrieved October 2012, from http://www.rangitoto.org/ Singh, B. (2012). Successional sequence of plants on Rangitoto Island. Retrieved October 2012, from www.scribd.com: http://www.scribd.com/doc/75173586/doc