Hydrosere

So, have you ever seen a pond or lake? And have you ever noticed how sometimes there are plants growing in and around the water? That's what we call a hydrosere!

Basically, a hydrosere is a big word that means a series of changes that happen when there's water around. Let me explain more.

When a new pond or lake is formed, the very first plants that show up are usually things like algae and things called duckweed. These plants are really good at growing in water and don't need a lot of soil or nutrients.

After a little while, these plants will start to form a layer on top of the water, which can provide a place for other plants to grow. Some plants, like cattails, will start growing out of the water and up towards the sky.

As more and more plants grow, dirt and other things will start building up on the bottom of the pond or lake. That means the water will start to become more shallow.

When the water gets more shallow, different plants can start growing. For example, rushes and sedges might show up. These plants like growing in shallow water and will help make the layer of soil even thicker.

As this continues, trees like willows and birches might start growing too. They can grow in slightly deeper water, so as the pond or lake gets more shallow, they can start growing too.

As time goes on, the pond or lake might get completely filled in with soil and plants. When that happens, we call it a marsh or wetland.

So that's what a hydrosere is all about—plants and animals changing and adapting as the water level changes in a pond or lake.