Primary succession occurs faster than secondary succession
B
Secondary succession occurs faster than primary succession
C
Primary and secondary succession occur at the same rate
D
Primary succession does not occur if secondary succession does not follow it
Text Solution
AI Generated Solution
The correct Answer is:
To determine which statement about ecological succession is correct, we can analyze each of the four statements provided:
1. **Primary succession occurs faster than secondary succession.**
- This statement is incorrect. Primary succession occurs in areas that are newly formed or devoid of soil, such as bare rock or newly cooled lava. This process is generally slow because it starts from scratch, requiring time for soil formation and the establishment of pioneer species.
2. **Secondary succession occurs faster than primary succession.**
- This statement is correct. Secondary succession occurs in areas where a community has been disturbed but where soil and some organisms still exist, such as in abandoned farmland or after a forest has been cut down. Because the soil and some vegetation are already present, the recovery process is much quicker.
3. **Primary and secondary succession occur at the same rate.**
- This statement is incorrect. As explained, primary succession is slower due to starting from bare substrates, while secondary succession is faster because it builds on existing soil and organisms.
4. **Primary succession does not occur if secondary succession does not follow it.**
- This statement is also incorrect. Primary succession can occur independently of secondary succession. They are two distinct processes that can happen in different contexts.
Based on this analysis, the correct answer is that **secondary succession occurs faster than primary succession**.
### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. **Identify the definitions of primary and secondary succession.**
- Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil is not present.
- Secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed a community but soil and some organisms remain.
2. **Evaluate the speed of each type of succession.**
- Primary succession is slow because it starts from bare rock or newly formed areas.
- Secondary succession is faster because it utilizes existing soil and vegetation.
3. **Analyze each statement for correctness.**
- The first statement is incorrect.
- The second statement is correct.
- The third statement is incorrect.
- The fourth statement is incorrect.
4. **Conclude which statement is correct.**
- The correct statement is that secondary succession occurs faster than primary succession.
