Understand differences between primary and secondary succession
AP Biology · Learn by Concept
Help Questions
AP Biology › Understand differences between primary and secondary succession
Which type of succession would be likely to occur in an area that has recently experienced a wildfire?
Primary succession
Secondary succession
Revitalization
Pioneering succession
Explanation
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. Secondary succession occurs in an area that had previously been inhabited but experienced a disturbance, such as a wildfire. In this scenario, there still would be soil.
The first species to inhabit an area after a disruption area called
primary species
secondary species
pioneer species
keystone species
Explanation
The first species to inhabit an area that has been disrupted are called pioneer species. This is true in both primary and secondary succession. These pioneer species are hardy species that can withstand harsh conditions.
Where does primary succession occur?
An environment lacking plant and animal life
A previously inhabited environment
A currently inhabited environment
None of these
Explanation
Primary succession is the colonizing of a new environment that lacks organisms and plant life. Primary succession is different from secondary succession; secondary succession is the colonizing of an environment that once supported life but was abandoned due to an ecological disturbance. An example of this is the colonizing of new land formed by lava flow.
In an area with primary succession occurring, which type of wildlife would be likely to grow first?
Lichen
Oak trees
Pine trees
Perennials
Explanation
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. The first organisms to grow (called pioneer species) are fast growing, hardy species.
Where would primary succession likely occur?
In an environment recently burned by a wildfire
On a newly created volcanic island
In an environment that was recently flooded by a river
In a forest where many trees were chopped down for logging purposes
Explanation
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. Secondary succession occurs in an area that had previously been inhabited but experienced a disturbance, such as a wildfire. The newly created volcanic island has no previous life, and is made of rock, devoid of soil.
Which would not be a cause of secondary succession?
Windstorm
Flooding
Deforestation due to logging
Lava flow
Explanation
Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat. Secondary succession occurs in an area that had previously been inhabited but experienced a disturbance, such as a lava flow. Secondary succession occurs in environments that have been distrubed, but have some remaining soil and vegetation.
During primary succession, when are pioneer species likely to be found in an environment?
Near later stages of succession
Near early stages of succession
During the summer
When many nutrients are available
Explanation
Pioneer species are the first species to colonize an environment, and thus would be found in the early stages of succession.
Which of the following best describes when secondary succession occurs?
A previously inhabited environment
A currently inhabited environment
An environment lacking plant and animal life
All of these
Explanation
Secondary succession can be described as the colonization of a habitat that once supported plant and animal life but was abandoned due to ecological disturbance. Types of ecological disturbances such as hurricanes and floods can empty a habitat.