BOT GE202

UNIT-2
PLANT SUCCESSION
(Hydrosere)

Dr Pinky Prasad
Asst. Professor, Department of Botany
Patna Women’s College, Autonomous, P.U.
 Hydrosere

A hydrosere is a primary plant succession which occurs in an

area of fresh water body such as pond, lakes and marshes. It
results in conversion of water body and its community into a
land community.

In time, an area of open freshwater naturally dry out, ultimately

becoming woodland. During this change, a range of different
land types such as swamp and marsh succeed each other. Seral
communities of plants are more obvious than animals
 Hydrosere

There are seven steps of hydrosere. They are as follows:

1) Phytoplankton stage
2) Rooted submerged stage
3) Floating stage
4) Reed swamp stage
5) Sedge meadow or Marsh stage
6) Woodland stage
7) Climax Forest stage
 Hydrosere

1. Phytoplankton stage:

This is pioneer community to appear in a pond or a pool of water. At

this stage the depth of water is nearly 4-5 metres. In the initial stage of
succession algal and fungal spores are brought in the body of water and
consists of vegetation such as green algae (Spirogyra, Volvox,
Nitella etc.), blue-green algae (Nostoc, Rivularia etc.), diatoms, bacteria
etc. Such plants are termed as the pioneers of hydrosere. The organisms
of the community multiply and increase in number. But as they increase
in number, they die, adding nutrients and organic matter to the habitat
which becomes unsuitable for phytoplanktons to continue.
 Hydrosere

2) Rooted submerged stage

The pond now becomes shallow. This habitat is now suitable for plants
which remain rooted at the bottom of the pond. These plants are Hydrilla,
Vallisneria, Utricularia, Potamogeton etc. When these plants grow in large
numbers and cover the entire lake or pond, competition among them begins
for food and space. As they grow one above the other, the plants at the
bottom do not get plenty of light and air. This results in decaying of such
plants. The decaying materials form the humus and settle at the bottom of the
lake. As a result, the depth of the water diminishes. This creates a hindrance
for the growth of these plants. But on the other hand it becomes suitable for
the floating plants.
 Hydrosere

3) Floating stage
As a result of death of submerged plants more organic matter is added to the pond.
The pond now becomes much shallower, being almost 2-5 feet deep. The plants
growing in this stage usually remain in a floating condition. They may be either free-
floating or partially submerged with their roots fixed to the bottom such
as Nelumbium, Nymphaea etc.  Free floating plants found in this stage
are Eichhornia, Pistia, Lemna etc.

When these plants completely cover up the water surface, light cannot enter into the
under surface. This causes the submerged plants and submerged organs of the floating
plants to decay. Due to the deposition of the decaying plants depth of water
diminishes more and more.

 Such a pond becomes unsuitable for the growth of the existing community.  The
plants adapted to swampy, low water content lands gradually migrate into it.
 Hydrosere
4) Reed swamp stage

At the stage the depth of water reduces to nearly 1-3 feet or even less than that.

Plants such as Polygonum, Marsilea, Sagittaria etc. dominate this

stage.  Typha, Phragmites etc. also occur in such habitats and are also termed

as amphibious plants.

Rhizomes of these plants are very much branched.  They form thick covering

over the water surface. As a result the floating plants and the covered parts of

reed-swamp plants do not get any light.  Thus the plants gradually perish. The

water level  further diminishes due to the decomposition of dead and decaying

plants.  Since the reed swamp plants need water throughout the year the

condition becomes unsuitable for their further growth.

 Hydrosere
5) Sedge meadow or Marsh stage
Now the plants well adapted to new habitat begin to appear in the pre-
existing community in mixed state. Important plants that are well suited to
marshy habitat are the members of the Family Cyperaceae and Gramineae.
Carex, Juncus, Dichanthium etc. are the first invaders of marshy area.

As these plants grow most luxuriantly in the marshes, they modify the
habitats in several ways. They absorb and transpire a large quantity of water
and also catch and accumulate plant debris and wind and water borne soil
particles. Consequently a dry habitat results which may be totally unfit for
the growth of normal hydrophytes. Gradually the mesophytes start appearing
and after some time the sedge vegetation is totally replaced by them.
 Hydrosere
6) Woodland stage

In the beginning some shrubs and later medium sized trees

start growing. Due to heavy transpiration by the broad leaves
of shrubs the soil water content further decreases. Thus, they
render the habitat more dry. Shade loving herbs may also
grow under the trees and shrubs. The prominent plants of
woodland community are species of Salix, Cephalanthus,
Populus etc.
 Hydrosere
7) Climax Forest stage

By this time the humus content of the soil increases due to deposition of
dead plants. Many bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms help in the
formation of humus. This creates an ideal condition for the growth of huge
plants. Trees are dominant in this stage. Herbs shrubs mosses and shade
loving plants are also present in this stage. At the climax stage, a complete
harmony develops between plant community and habitat. It is very slow
process that cannot be observed in nature. It may require thousands of years
to reach the climax stage. 

In tropical climate with heavy rainfall there develop tropical rain forests. In
temperate regions, mixed forest of Almus, Acer and Quercus are formed.
 Hydrosere
1) Phytoplankton stage Pioneer stage

2) Rooted submerged stage

3) Floating stage

4) Reed swamp stage Seral stages

5) Sedge meadow or Marsh stage

6) Woodland stage

7) Climax Forest stage Climax stage

Stages of hydrosere
Hydrosere
Completed