Question

Melting snow causes a pond to develop in a existing basin with fertile soil. Phytoplankton, tiny plant life, begin to occupy the pond. Grasses and shrubs begin to grow at the pond’s edge, and frogs come to lay their eggs in the pond.

What type of succession does this passage describe?

Answer 1

Secondary succession.

Reason: The basin already has fertile soil when the pond forms, so life can recolonize quickly (phytoplankton, grasses, shrubs, frogs). Primary succession occurs where no soil exists (bare rock); this scenario starts with existing soil, so it's secondary succession (a form of hydrosere in an aquatic habitat).