XEROSERE
Xerosere
Xerosere is a plant succession which is limited by water
availability.
Xerarch succession of ecological communities originated
in extremely dry situation such as sand deserts, sand
dunes, salt deserts, rock deserts etc
Bare rocks
Bare rocks are produced
when glaciers recede or
volcanoes erupt. Erosion
of these rocks is brought
by rain water and wind
loaded with soil particles.
lichen, which act as
pioneer species of bare
rocks.
Crustose lichen stage
A bare rock consists of solid surface or very large
boulders and there is no place for rooting plants to
colonize. The thalli of crustose lichens can adhere to the
surface of rock and absorb moisture from atmosphere;
therefore, these colonize the bare surfaces of rocks first
These lichens produce acids which corrode
the rock
When these lichens die their thalli are
decomposed to add humus. This promotes
soil building and the environment becomes
suitable for growth of foliose and fruticose
type of lichens.
Foliose and fruticose lichen stage
Foliose lichens
have leaf-like
thalli, while the
fruticose lichens
are like small
bushes. They are
attached to the
substratum at one
point only,
therefore, do not
cover the soil
completely.
They can absorb and retain more water and are able to
accumulate more dust particles.
Their dead remains are decomposed to humus which
mixes with soil particles and help building substratum
and improving soil moisture contents further.
These autogenic changes favor growth and
establishment of mosses.
Moss stage
The spores of xerophytic mosses, such as Polytrichum,
Tortula, and Grimmia, are brought to the rock where they
succeed lichens.
Their rhizoids penetrate soil among the crevices, secrete
acids and corrode the rocks.
The bodies of mosses are rich in organic and inorganic
compounds.
The changing environment leads to migration of lichens and
helps invasion of herbaceous vegetation that can out-
compete mosses.
Herb stage
Herbaceous weeds, mostly annuals such as asters,
evening primroses, and milk weeds, invade the rock. Their
roots penetrate deep down, secrete acids and enhance the
process of weathering.
xeric conditions begin to change and
biennial and perennial herbs and xeric
grasses such as Aristida, Festuca, and Poa,
begin to inhabit.
These climatic conditions favor growth of
bacterial and fungal populations, resulting in
increase in decomposition activity.
Shrub stage
The herb and grass mixture is invaded by
shrub species, such as Rhus and
Phytocarpus.
Early invasion of shrub is slow, but once a
few bushes have become established, birds
invade the area and help disperse scrub
seeds.
This results in dense scrub growth shading
the soil and making conditions unfavorable
for the growth of herbs,
Tree stage
Change in environment favors colonization of
tree species. The tree saplings begin to grow
among the scrubs and establish themselves.
The kind of tree species inhabiting the area
depends upon the nature of the soil.
The trees form canopy and shade the area.
Shade-loving scrubs continue to grow as
secondary vegetation.
Leaf litter and decaying roots weather the
soil further and add humus to it making the
habitat more favorable for growth to trees.
Climax stage
The succession culminates in a climax community, the forest.
Many intermediate tree stages develop prior to establishment
of a climax community.
The forest type depends upon climatic conditions.
