29.4k views
3 votes
_____ occurs in a place that had no ecosystem before.

A. secondary succession
B. pioneer species
C. ecological succession
D. primary succession

User ToddH
by
7.6k points

2 Answers

0 votes

Final answer:

Primary succession refers to ecological succession on new lands that are devoid of life and soil, starting with the colonization by pioneer species and leading to a diverse ecosystem over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process that occurs in a place that had no ecosystem before is known as primary succession. This type of ecological succession happens on completely new lands, such as those formed from volcanic lava cooling and hardening or glacial retreats that expose new surfaces devoid of life and soil. In primary succession, pioneer species are the first to colonize these barren landscapes. Over time, these species help create soil by breaking down the substrate and adding organic material as they grow and die, paving the way for subsequent species and the development of a complex ecosystem.

User Meilechh
by
8.5k points
6 votes

Final answer:

Primary succession occurs in a place that had no ecosystem before. The correct option is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Primary succession occurs in previously uninhabited areas, and pioneering species are crucial in starting ecological development in such areas.

This type of ecological succession happens on new lands—areas where life has not yet existed, such as after a volcanic eruption that forms new land, or when glaciers recede, exposing new rock that has not yet been colonized. Without existing soil, pioneer species play a crucial role in beginning the process of succession by breaking down the substrate into soil where other species can take root and grow, eventually leading to a fully developed ecosystem.

Hence, D is the correct option.

User Priya
by
8.9k points