Final answer:
Primary succession happens on new land with no soil, starting with pioneer species, while secondary succession occurs where an ecosystem is disturbed but soil remains. Both lead to the development of new ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primary and Secondary Succession
Primary and secondary succession are processes that describe the recovery and development of ecosystems over time. Primary succession occurs on new lands where soil has yet to be formed, as seen in areas where lava flow cools and turns into new land, or where glaciers have retreated. This type of succession starts with pioneer species, such as lichens and hearty plants that can survive in harsh conditions without soil. These species contribute to soil formation by breaking down rock and adding organic material as they die.
Secondary succession, on the other hand, happens in areas where an ecosystem has been disturbed but some life and soil remains. The process is quicker compared to primary succession because the soil is already present, allowing more complex plant life to re-establish more rapidly.
In the case of Laura Robison's exploration of the ocean floor as mentioned in the video, primary succession can be related when considering the formation of new ecosystems on newly formed volcanic islands or after underwater volcanic eruptions, which eventually lead to the development of marine ecosystems over time.