Question

What is likely to happen to the ecosystem pictured below after a period of time?
Erupting volcano and magma.
a.
The ecosystem will undergo only primary succession.
b.
The ecosystem will undergo only secondary succession.
c.
The ecosystem will undergo primary succession followed by secondary succession.
d.
The ecosystem will never recover.

Answer 1

In the context of an ecosystem that has been affected by an erupting volcano and the presence of magma, the most accurate response is:

**a. The ecosystem will undergo only primary succession.**

This is because primary succession occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption, where lava has created new land. The process involves the gradual colonization of life forms in a barren environment, starting with pioneer species like lichens and mosses that can grow on bare rock and eventually leading to the formation of soil, which allows for more complex plants and animals to inhabit the area over time.

Secondary succession, on the other hand, typically occurs in areas where soil and some organisms still exist after a disturbance (like a forest fire or land clearance), not from the direct effects of lava and magma. Therefore, after a volcanic eruption, the ecosystem will primarily go through primary succession as it starts from bare rock and develops new biological communities.