Is a wildfire burning down a forest secondary or primary

Answer 1

A wildfire is considered a primary disturbance in an ecosystem. Primary disturbances are those that directly alter the structure and composition of an ecosystem, such as wildfires, hurricanes, or volcanic eruptions. In the case of a wildfire, it can lead to significant changes in vegetation, soil composition, and animal populations, as well as initiating regeneration processes.

In contrast, secondary disturbances are secondary effects that occur in response to primary disturbances, such as invasive species outbreaks, erosion, or changes in species composition following a wildfire.