| Term |
 |
|
| Definition |
|
|
| Detail |
|
|
| Succession |
Changes that take place in plant communities over time as conditions change |
|
| Psammosere |
A plant succession that developes on sand dunes |
|
| Pioneer Species |
Species that colonise pristine environments |
They need not be very tolerant and flexible
eg. SPARTINA on mud flats |
| Seral Stage |
Stage in succession from colonisation to climax |
(blank) |
| Sub-climax |
Plant community that is inhibited from reaching its climax by natural factors |
(blank) |
| Plagio-climax |
A stable community formed as a result of human activity |
(blank) |
| Climax |
A stable community at the end of a succession that is in balance with prevailing abiotic conditions |
(blank) |
| Prisere |
A succession developing from a bare surface |
i.e Mud flats |
| Colonisation |
The arrival and establishement of plants in an area |
(blank) |
| Species |
Variety of plant that can interbreed with other memebers of a plant group |
(blank) |
| Successional Processes |
Processes that take place in a succession such as colonisation |
(blank) |
| Mud Flats |
Areas of fine silt and sediment deposited by marine action in sheltered zones |
(blank) |
| Creeks |
Shallow tidal inlets associated with mud flats |
(blank) |
| Embryo Dune |
Accumulation of sand that preceeds stable dune formation on which plant colonisation can begin |
(blank) |
| Fixed dune |
Dune that has been stabalised with a climax plant community of psammomere |
(blank) |
| Dune degradation |
Dune damage that often begins with "blow-outs" - frequently initiated by human action |
(blank) |
or...
