Final answer:
Primary succession involves the colonization of newly exposed or formed rock, while secondary succession occurs after a disturbance in an ecosystem. A shift in dominant coral species after a hurricane is an example of primary succession. In secondary succession, the disturbance does not significantly affect the soil.
Step-by-step explanation:
Succession describes the sequential appearance and disappearance of species in a community over time after a severe disturbance. In primary succession, newly exposed or newly formed rock is colonized by living organisms; in secondary succession, a part of an ecosystem is disturbed and remnants of the previous community remain. In both cases, there is a sequential change in species until a more or less permanent community develops.
A shift in dominant coral species on a reef after a hurricane is an example of primary succession as the reef is newly exposed and colonized by different coral species. In secondary succession of terrestrial communities, the disturbance leaves the soil largely intact, making option D true. Option A is incorrect because the composition of communities does change over time during succession. Option B is incorrect because succession refers to long-term changes in communities, not just seasonal changes.