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?

secondary succession

Which species is the pioneer species?

Answer 1

Phytoplankton — the tiny plant life are the pioneer species, being the first organisms to colonize the new pond.