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Primary community assembly on land – the missing stages: why are the heterotrophic organisms always there first?
Author(s) -
Hodkinson Ian D.,
Webb Nigel R.,
Coulson Stephen J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.452
H-Index - 181
eISSN - 1365-2745
pISSN - 0022-0477
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2745.2002.00696.x
Subject(s) - detritivore , heterotroph , ecology , autotroph , primary producers , invertebrate , biology , nutrient , environmental science , phytoplankton , bacteria , genetics
Summary1 It is proposed that as a general rule primary community assembly by autotrophs is preceded by a previously unrecognized heterotrophic phase that may be instrumental in facilitating the establishment of green plants and consolidating the assembly process. 2 This heterotrophic stage, of variable duration, involves the allochthonous input of both dead organic matter and living invertebrates sufficient to allow the initial establishment of functioning communities comprised of scavenging detritivores and predators. 3 Evidence for deposition of such materials onto newly exposed land surfaces and the development of such animal communities is summarized for a variety of sites and substrates worldwide. 4 It is suggested that these heterotrophic communities conserve nutrients, particularly nitrogen, and facilitate the establishment of green plants.