What is the difference between primary and secondary succession

It can also occur in an environment that is devoid of vegetation and usually lacking topsoil. Secondary Succession is the ecological succession that takes place on a preexisting soil after the primary succession has been disrupted or destroyed due to a disturbance that reduced the population of the initial inhabitants. Primary succession occurs in the land where there is no initial vegetation. Secondary succession occurs in a land that has primary vegetation.

Primary succession can be initiated due to a biological factor or an external factor. Secondary succession starts due to an external factor such as gap formation by falling trees, fire, or land clearing. Surface soil cover is absent when primary succession starts. Secondary succession occurs in places where soil cover is present. Primary succession land favors the growth of all forms of flora mosses, ferns, shrubs, trees. Secondary succession mostly favors the invading opportunities to grow.

In primary succession , pioneer species come from outside environment. In secondary succession , pioneer species develop partly from existing environment. Primary succession needs more time to complete. Secondary succession takes comparatively less time. Primary Succession is the first life form to appear in any environment, whether it is a terrestrial, marine or fresh water. In this case, there is no previous living material present. And the organisms which establish themselves in the initial stage are called the primary colonizers or pioneer and community of that species is called primary community.

Lichens and algae are the typical examples of this succession. The community that existed previously, but has been removed due to the natural disturbances. Even the land still marks the presence of the essential nutrition, which is required by all forms of life to grow.

This kind of succession occurs in the forest, which has been cut recently, plowing fields, flooded lands and the area which were destroyed due to natural calamities. Thus it can be said that Secondary Succession occurs when the land of primary succession get disturbed, due to some biological cause or internal factors. Given below are the substantial points, for distinguishing between both kind of ecological succession:. We can say that the ecological succession is the sequential progression, evolving the new species.

These changes at the stage of climax condition produce a stable community, which is dominated by a particular kind of species as those were only able to cop up in that environment. Hence this kind of succession is necessary and fruitful to the environment, to maintain the ecological balance. Your email address will not be published. Thus, it progressed gradually from primary succession to the climax community.

The secondary is the second type of ecological succession that occurs when the primary ecosystem gets destroyed. Thus, it is the type of succession in which plants and animals recolonize a habitat after a major disturbance like a landslide, lava flow, wildfire, etc. It occurs when a climax community gets destroyed. Secondary succession takes place in an ecosystem where the disturbance did not eliminate all life forms and nutrients from the environment.

Small plants emerge, followed by larger plants at the beginning of the succession. They develop into tall trees that block the sunlight and change the structure of the organisms below the canopy. By the end of all this, the climax community arrives.

Mostly insects and weedy plants are the first organisms to recolonize in secondary succession. Gradually more complex and stable species of plants and animals arrive. Stability in the ecological structure of a biological community is established when the area remains undisturbed for a long period.

Primary Succession. Secondary Succession. It is a type of succession that starts from barren or uninhabited land. It is the type of succession which occurs in a habitat where life existed previously. It occurs in lifeless or barren areas. It occurs in recently denuded or previously inhabited areas. Possible Answers: Secondary succession. Pioneering succession. Primary succession. Correct answer: Secondary succession. Explanation : Primary succession occurs in an environment without previous life, or a barren habitat.

Possible Answers: Lichen. Oak trees. Pine trees. Correct answer: Lichen. Possible Answers: In an environment recently burned by a wildfire.

Correct answer: On a newly created volcanic island. Possible Answers: During the summer. Correct answer: Near early stages of succession. Explanation : Pioneer species are the first species to colonize an environment, and thus would be found in the early stages of succession.

Possible Answers: Lava flow. Correct answer: Lava flow. Possible Answers: keystone species. Correct answer: pioneer species. Explanation : The first species to inhabit an area that has been disrupted are called pioneer species. Copyright Notice. View AP Biology Tutors. Aashish Certified Tutor. University of Toledo, Doctor of M