The primary difference between primary and secondary succession is that primary succession starts on bare rock, while secondary succession begins in areas that already have soil and some organisms present, such as after a fire, flood, or human activities that disturb an existing ecosystem.
Here's a breakdown of the options provided:
-
Primary succession starts on bare rock, while secondary succession begins in areas with soil. - This statement is correct and represents the main distinction between the two types of succession.
-
Primary succession includes pioneer species, while secondary succession does not. - This statement is incorrect; both types of succession involve pioneer species, though they might differ depending on the environment.
-
Primary succession occurs faster than secondary succession. - This statement is generally incorrect. Secondary succession generally occurs faster than primary succession because there is already soil and some organisms present.
-
Primary succession only happens after volcanic eruptions. - This statement is incorrect. While volcanic eruptions can lead to primary succession, it can also occur in other scenarios where bare rock is exposed (e.g., glacial retreats).
Therefore, the most accurate choice that highlights the key difference is the first option.
5 answers