Pioneers in the secondary succession of previously burnt forest are:

Options

A. Mosses
B. Ferns
C. Lichens
D. Epiphytes

Answer

To solve the question regarding the pioneers in the secondary succession of a previously burnt forest, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Secondary Succession**:
- Secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing ecosystem but left the soil intact. This can happen after events like forest fires.

2. **Identifying Pioneer Species**:
- Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a disturbed area. They play a crucial role in establishing a new ecosystem.

3. **Evaluating the Options**:
- The options given are mosses, ferns, lichens, and epiphytes. We need to determine which of these is most likely to be a pioneer in a burnt forest.

4. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Mosses**: While they can grow in disturbed areas, they are not typically the first to colonize after a fire.
- **Ferns**: Ferns produce spores that have thick walls, making them resistant to high temperatures and environmental changes. This adaptation allows them to survive in burnt areas.
- **Lichens**: They are often pioneers in primary succession (bare rock) but are less common in secondary succession after fires.
- **Epiphytes**: These plants grow on other plants and are not typically found in the early stages of succession in burnt areas.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, ferns are the most likely pioneers in the secondary succession of a previously burnt forest due to their spore resilience to fire.

### Final Answer:
The pioneers in the secondary succession of a previously burnt forest are **ferns**.

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