Final answer:
A mudslide facilitating an increase in fern population over flowers is an example of secondary succession, which is the ecological recovery of an area that has been disturbed but already has nutrient-rich soil.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reduction in a flower population due to a mudslide, which subsequently allows for an increase in the fern population that competes with the flower, is an example of secondary succession. Secondary succession occurs in areas where life has previously existed but has then been disturbed. The disturbance, such as a fire or natural disaster, can also include human activities such as farming. It does not start with bare rock like primary succession, as nutrient-rich soil is already present, allowing new life to quickly take hold and establish a new community. Over time, this rapid recolonization leads to a restoration of the ecosystem, although the species composition may be altered from what was present before the disturbance.