What is likely to occur in a community that is disrupted by a secondary succession event?

• A. Pioneer species will colonize the area, followed by a gradual return to a stable community.
• B. All species will go extinct, and the area will remain barren.
• C. The community will become a desert due to the lack of vegetation.
• D. The community will return to its original state immediately.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of secondary succession: Secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed a community but left the soil intact. This is different from primary succession, which starts on bare rock or sand where no soil exists.
2. Identify the role of pioneer species: In secondary succession, pioneer species are the first to colonize the disturbed area. These species are typically hardy and fast-growing, capable of thriving in the altered environment.
3. Recognize the gradual process of succession: After pioneer species establish themselves, they modify the environment, making it more suitable for other species to move in. This leads to increased biodiversity over time.
4. Consider the eventual development of a stable community: As succession progresses, the community becomes more complex and stable, eventually reaching a climax community that resembles the original state before the disturbance.
5. Evaluate the incorrect options: The idea that all species will go extinct or that the area will become a desert is unlikely in secondary succession. Similarly, the community does not return to its original state immediately; it takes time for the ecosystem to recover and stabilize.