Chapter 3, Problem 10STP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The role of pioneer species in primary succession.

Introduction :

Ecological succession is the establishment of a biological community where no vegetation is present. It of two types, primary and secondary. Primary succession is the flourishing of vegetation where no vegetation was found in past. Secondary is the development of the community where vegetation was present in past but got destroyed due to any reason.

Explanation of Solution

The pioneer species are the species of those organism that occupy the barren land in the early stages of ecological succession. In the primary succession, pioneer species are very adjustable to variety of atmospheric changes. This ability helps them to establish themselves in a new hostile region, where the circumstances are unfavorable. Once the pioneer species are the established, other species depending on the pioneer species would start appearing and would favor the species diversity that is the next step of succession.