Ecological succession is an orderly process that begins after a natural or human-caused disturbance to a plant community. The type of succession depends on the disturbance. Primary succession begins after a disturbance destroys everything, including the soil. Secondary succession begins when vegetation is destroyed by some disturbance, but the soil still exists.
Check your understanding of primary and secondary succession by dragging each description on the left to the correct type of succession on the right.
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Occurs in less time
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Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
Soil is already formed at the beginning of secondary succession.
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Preceded by no life forms
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Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
Primary succession begins on bare rock.
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Grasses and small
plants arrive first |
Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
Pioneer plants are not needed for secondary succession.
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Pedogenesis is
very important. |
Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
Pedogenesis is the process of soil formation.
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Involves pioneer species
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Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
Pioneer species can grow on bare rock.
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Begins on rocks
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Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
Primary succession does not require soil.
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Follows a small disturbance
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Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
These small disturbances do not destroy soil.
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Soil is present.
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Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
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That is correct.
There is no need for pedogenesis during secondary succession because the soil is already present.
Complete
