Which one of the following statements is CORRECT for secondary success...
Option A: It begins on a bare rock. This is incorrect as it describes primary succession, not secondary.
Option B: It occurs on a deforested site. This is correct. Secondary succession occurs in areas where a community has been removed; it is the series of community changes which take place on a previously colonized, but disturbed or damaged habitat.
Option C: It follows primary succession. While secondary succession does come after primary succession, this statement on its own is not fully descriptive of secondary succession.
Option D: It is similar to primary succession except that it has a relatively fast pace. This is also correct; however, it is less specific than Option B. Secondary succession is typically faster than primary succession because the soil already exists, and often some remnants of the previous community remain.
The most accurate and specific statement for secondary succession is:
Option B: It occurs on a deforested site.
Which one of the following statements is CORRECT for secondary success...
Explanation:
Secondary succession is the process of ecological succession that occurs after a disturbance, which has not completely destroyed the ecosystem. Here, the soil and seeds are already present, and the process of succession is faster than primary succession.
Option 'B' is the correct answer, which states that secondary succession occurs on a deforested site. Let's understand why this is true:
- Deforestation: When trees are cut down, the soil is exposed to the sun, and there is an increased rate of soil erosion due to the lack of roots holding it together. This leads to a loss of topsoil and nutrients in the soil, making it difficult for plants to grow.
- Secondary succession: After deforestation, secondary succession occurs. Here, the soil is already present, and there are seeds or roots of plants that survived the disturbance. These plants begin to grow, and as they grow, they create a suitable environment for other plants to grow. This process continues until the ecosystem reaches a stable state.
- Examples: Deforestation can occur due to natural disasters like fire, floods, or human activities like logging, mining, or agriculture. Some examples of secondary succession include regrowth of a forest after a forest fire, or regrowth of vegetation after a landslide.
In conclusion, secondary succession occurs on a deforested site, where the soil and seeds are already present, and the process of succession is faster than primary succession.