AP BIOLOGY

ECOLOGY

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What is the difference between a primary vs. secondary succession?
A
secondary occurs where there was no previous community
B
they are the same
C
secondary occurs in an area that was only partially destroyed
D
primary ocurs in an area that was only partially destroyed
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -In primary succession, newly exposed or newly formed rock is colonized by living things for the first time. In secondary succession, an area previously occupied by living things is disturbed-disrupted-then recolonized following the disturbance.

Detailed explanation-2: -Secondary succession is more common and usually occurs faster than primary succession because the substrate is already present. Secondary succession occurs on a surface where an ecosystem has previously existed. This happens after some sort of disturbance.

Detailed explanation-3: -Primary succession is a slower process than secondary succession.

Detailed explanation-4: -Timeline: Primary succession does not have a previous ecological community, and therefore, building one from the very beginning will take a longer time. However, secondary succession builds up from a previously inhabited area with enriched soil; therefore, its development takes a shorter time.

Detailed explanation-5: -Some examples of primary succession include the formation of a new ecosystem after a volcano, glacier outbursts, or a nuclear explosion. Some examples of secondary succession include succession after fire, harvesting, logging, or abandonment of land or the renewal after a disease outbreak.

There is 1 question to complete.