Which one of the following statements about ecological succession in incorrect ?

Options

A. A community that is in near equilibrium with the environment and that is called a climax community .
B. The gradual and fairly predictable change in the species composition of a given area is called ecological succession .
C. Primary succession takes place in those areas which somehow lost all the living organisms that existed there .
D. At any time during primary or secondary succession , natural or human induced disturbances (fire , deforestation , etc) , can convert a particular seral stage of succession to an earlier stage.

Answer

To determine which statement about ecological succession is incorrect, we will analyze each of the four statements provided.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Climax Community**:
- The first statement claims that a community that is in near equilibrium with the environment is called a climax community.
- **Analysis**: This statement is correct. A climax community represents a stable ecological state where species composition remains relatively unchanged until disrupted by an event.

2. **Defining Ecological Succession**:
- The second statement defines ecological succession as a gradual and fairly predictable change in species composition of a given area.
- **Analysis**: This statement is also correct. Ecological succession involves a series of progressive changes in the species structure of an ecological community over time.

3. **Primary Succession**:
- The third statement claims that primary succession takes place in areas that have somehow lost all living organisms that existed there.
- **Analysis**: This statement is incorrect. Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption or on bare rock. The statement confuses primary succession with secondary succession, which occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but left the soil intact.

4. **Disturbances in Succession**:
- The fourth statement states that at any time during primary or secondary succession, natural or human-induced disturbances can convert a particular serial stage of succession to an earlier stage.
- **Analysis**: This statement is correct. Disturbances can indeed revert a community to an earlier stage of succession, affecting both primary and secondary succession.

### Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, the incorrect statement about ecological succession is:
**Option C**: "Primary succession takes place in those areas which somehow lost all the living organisms that existed there."