Question

Which one of the following statements is correct for secondary succession?

• A. It is similar to primary succession, except that it has a relatively fast pace.
• B. It begins on a bare rock.
• C. It occurs on a deforested site.
• D. It follows primary succession.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

It occurs on a deforested site.

Biotic or ecological succession is the successive development of different biotic communities at the same site till a climax community develops there. Primary Succession is the ecological succession on a primary base area like rock, outcrop or glacial moraline. It takes a long time of 1000 years or more. Secondary succession is biotic succession on secondarily bare area e.g., an area devastated by forest fire or deforestation. It takes 50 to 100 years for a grassland and 100 to 200 years for the forest. Ferns are generally the first to grow after forest fire because of their underground rhizomes. Secondary succession is not completed if invaded by weeds like Sphagnum, Lantana, Eichhornia, Eupatorium.

So, the correct answer is option C.