Question

The difference between primary succession and secondary succession is that
A) Primary succession occurs on soil
B) Primary succession begins with lichens
C) Primary succession begins with plant species
D) Secondary succession involves animal species
E) Secondary succession involves the weathering of rocks.

Answer 1

Hint: Primary succession requires pioneer species to colonize bare rock. This succession begins on rock formation.

Complete answer:
Let us first see what succession before we discuss the difference between primary succession and secondary succession. There are two types of changes that may occur as spatial changes and temporal changes within a community. Temporal changes relate to changes in a community at a given point. Such changes include seasonal changes, diurnal changes, and other long-term changes. Temporal changes are often of two types, namely non-directional changes and directional changes. In a community the directional changes are called ecological succession. There are two major forms of successions, primary and secondary succession.

Now lets us find the solution from the given options-
The primary succession takes place in the land where there is no initial vegetation. Primary succession lasts much more time than secondary succession, as it involves time for rock weathering and soil horizon growth.
Lichens are the first species to colonize rock that are exposed to the environment. Therefore they are the main pioneer species. Many organisms need soil before they colonize an environment. Lichens which colonize bare rock produce acids which break down the rock and start the process of soil production.
Primary succession occurs in an environment that is vegetation-free, and usually lacks topsoil.
Secondary succession develops in areas where, somehow, all living organisms lost, that existed.
Secondary Succession occurs on a pre-existing soil just after primary succession was interrupted or lost due to disruption that reduced the initial inhabitant’s population.

Thus, the right answer is option B i.e., Primary succession begins with lichens.

Note: Primary Succession is an ecological succession that takes place after uninhabited, infertile habitat has been opened. Secondary succession happens when environmental or biological cause is affecting the primary succession property. It occurs on a pre-existing soil after the primary succession has been destroyed or disrupted.