Which of the following are examples of a disruption that lead to secondary succession?
A Over time, sediment fills in a pond.
B A farmer plows a field to kill weeds.
C A volcanic eruption forms an island.
D A forest fire kills most of the plant population in a forest.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D: A forest fire kills most of the plant population in a forest.
Explanation:
Secondary succession refers to the ecological process that occurs when a disturbance disrupts an existing community but does not completely destroy it. This process begins in an area where soil and some organisms, such as seeds or plant roots, are still present. The community gradually recovers, but it differs from primary succession, which occurs in areas with no soil or living organisms (like after a volcanic eruption or the formation of new islands).
Let’s break down the options:
A) Over time, sediment fills in a pond:
This scenario is an example of eutrophication, which can lead to the gradual filling in of a pond, but it doesn’t directly relate to secondary succession. It involves changes to an aquatic ecosystem, often through nutrient accumulation, rather than a disturbance that triggers the re-growth of plant and animal life.
B) A farmer plows a field to kill weeds:
This is an example of a human disturbance, but it is not an instance of secondary succession. Plowing a field typically clears the soil of existing plants and is a form of human intervention that might be followed by agricultural practices, not a natural process of ecological recovery.
C) A volcanic eruption forms an island:
This scenario is an example of primary succession, not secondary. A volcanic eruption creates a new, barren environment without any existing soil or organisms, starting the ecological process from scratch.
D) A forest fire kills most of the plant population in a forest:
This is an example of secondary succession. A fire clears out much of the plant life, but the soil and some plant roots remain, allowing for the regeneration of the ecosystem over time. After a forest fire, the area will eventually be recolonized by different species of plants, leading to the gradual return of the original community structure.
In conclusion, option D is the most fitting example of secondary succession because it represents a disturbance in an existing environment that does not completely erase the ecosystem, allowing for recovery and regrowth.