Question

Arrange the following stages of primary succession of plants from last stage to first stage:
(A) Reed-swamp stage,
(B) Submerged plant stage,
(C) Marsh Meadow stage,
(D) Phytoplankton
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B), (C), (D)
• B. (C), (A), (B), (D)
• C. (A), (C), (B), (D)
• D. (D), (B), (A), (C)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The correct arrangement of primary succession stages from last to first is (A), (C), (B), (D).

Additional Context:

• Primary Succession Sequence:
  1. (A) Reed-swamp stage: Final stage with tall emergent plants (e.g., Typha, Phragmites)
  2. (C) Marsh Meadow stage: Emergent grasses/sedges (e.g., Carex, Juncus)
  3. (B) Submerged plant stage: Rooted aquatic vegetation (e.g., Potamogeton)
  4. (D) Phytoplankton: Pioneer community in open water
• Ecological progression:
  • Begins in newly formed water bodies (glacial lakes, volcanic ponds)
  • Each stage modifies environment for next stage (organic matter accumulation)
  • Leads to eventual terrestrial climax community
• Key processes:
  • Sediment accumulation from decaying plants
  • Water depth reduction over centuries
  • Peat formation in later stages
• Time scales:
  • Phytoplankton → Submerged plants: 1-10 years
  • Submerged → Marsh Meadow: 10-100 years
  • Marsh → Reed-swamp: 100-1000 years
• Comparison with other options:
  • Option 1: Incorrect reverse order
  • Option 2: Marsh before reed-swamp is incorrect
  • Option 4: Shows correct succession but in forward order

Correct Answer: (3) (A), (C), (B), (D).