Question

Secondary succession is likely to occur in which of the areas given below.

I. Abandoned farm lands
II. Deforested lands
III. Flooded lands
IV. Newly cooled lava
V. Burnt Forests
VI. Bare rocks
VII. Newly created ponds

• A. I, II, III, V and VI
• B. IV, VI and VII
• C. I, II, III and V
• D. Only I, II and III

Answer 1

The correct option is C I, II, III and V

Ecological succession is a steady, gradual change in the species composition of an area with the changing environment. It is predictable, sequential and occurs in accordance with the changing physical environment.

Ecological succession is of two types:

• Primary succession - Succession where a newly formed area is colonised for the first time by living organisms. Such areas would have never been previously inhabited i.e., it is barren and lacks fertile soil. For example: newly cooled lava, bare rock, newly created ponds or reservoirs, etc.
• Secondary succession - Succession where natural communities develop in an area that was earlier occupied by living organisms that were somehow lost. It begins in areas where natural biotic communities have been destroyed such as in abandoned farm lands, deforested lands, flooded lands, burned forests, etc.

Secondary succession is a comparatively faster process than primary succession since some soil is already present in this ecosystem.

Hence, option c is correct.