Question

What is the role of a pioneer species in primary succession?

to destroy parasites
to create shade
to provide fruit
to create the soil

Answer 1

Answer: D, to create the soil

Step-by-step explanation:

Primary succession occurs on basically empty, lifeless land with no soil. Pioneer species are the first plants to colonize the land after primary succession, which means they are very primitive and can survive without soil. Since there is no soil, their role is to create soil for more advanced organisms to survive in the area in the future.

Answer 2

to create the soil

Step-by-step explanation:

Pioneer species refers to the first species that colonize the area and serves as first stage of succession. Pioneer species initiate the soil formation by breakdown of substratum.

Example: Crustose lichens are pioneer species on rock surface. These species carry out rock erosion to initiate soil formation. Addition of dead and decayed lichen to the soil makes it fertile and suitable for growth of other plant species.