Question

What once was an open pasture on a long abandoned farm has changed over time, without the direct influence of humans. After the cattle had been removed, shrubs and bushes could be seen dotting the grass-covered hillsides. A few years later, small pine trees and then larger deciduous trees appeared. Now, there are so many trees and shaded regions it is difficult to tell that this was once a field. These ecological changes in the abandoned pasture represent

a secondary succession.
b aquatic to terrestrial succession.
c intermediate succession.
d primary succession.

Answer 1

What once was an open pasture on a long abandoned farm has changed over time, without the direct influence of humans. After the cattle had been removed, shrubs and bushes could be seen dotting the grass-covered hillsides. A few years later, small pine trees and then larger deciduous trees appeared. Now, there are so many trees and shaded regions it is difficult to tell that this was once a field. These ecological changes in the abandoned pasture represent an intermediate succession

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

a secondary succession

Step-by-step explanation:

Secondary succession is the development of vegetation following a disturbance to the original plant community. In secondary succession, changes occur in an already established ecosystem such as a grassland (pasture) where there is preexisting soil. Secondary succession can quickly change a landscape. It is gradual, always moving toward the climax community. Succession dynamics following severe disturbance or removal of a preexisting community are called secondary succession. Dynamics in secondary succession are strongly influenced by pre-disturbance conditions, including soil development, seed banks, remaining organic matter, and residual living organisms. Because of residual fertility and preexisting organisms, community change in early stages of secondary succession can be relatively rapid. In secondary succession, the soils and organisms need to be left unharmed so there is a way for the new material to rebuild.