After a town is abandoned, the concrete parking lots remain empty and inactive for hundreds of years. What is the most likely order of ecological succession in that area?

Question

A.
lichens → grass → trees → shrubs

B.
lichens → grass → shrubs → trees

C.
shrubs → grass → trees → lichens

D.
grass → trees → lichens → moss

Answer 1

The most likely order of ecological succession in an area where a concrete parking lot has been abandoned would be:

B. lichens → grass → shrubs → trees

This sequence reflects the typical pattern of primary succession. Lichens are often the first organisms to colonize bare surfaces, such as concrete, followed by grasses that thrive in the newly established soil. After grasses, shrubs can begin to grow, leading eventually to the establishment of trees as the environment becomes more suitable for larger plants over time.