What is the Difference Between Zonation and Succession?

Zonation and succession are two different phenomena in ecology that describe changes in the composition of species in a habitat. The main differences between them are:

• Nature of change: Zonation refers to the gradual change in the distribution of species across a habitat due to abiotic factors, such as changes in altitude, latitude, tidal level, or distance from shore. In contrast, succession is the process of change over time in an ecosystem, involving pioneer, intermediate, and climax communities.
• Spatial vs. temporal: Zonation is a spatial phenomenon, as it describes the distribution of species across a habitat at a given time. Succession, on the other hand, is a temporal phenomenon, as it involves changes in the ecosystem over time.
• Types of succession: There are two main types of succession: primary and secondary. Primary succession occurs in an area that was previously uncolonized, while secondary succession takes place in a location that was previously colonized and later destroyed.

In summary, zonation deals with the spatial distribution of species across a habitat, while succession involves the temporal changes in an ecosystem over time, including pioneer, intermediate, and climax communities.

Comparative Table: Zonation vs Succession

Here is a table comparing zonation and succession:

In summary, zonation focuses on the spatial distribution of organisms along an environmental gradient, while succession describes the temporal changes in an ecosystem over time involving different stages of plant and animal communities.