What is the difference between primary and secondary succession? Which would reach the climax community faster? Give examples of disturbances that would cause each type of succession.
Primary succession occurs in an area where there is no existing soil or vegetation present, such as on bare rock or sand dunes. It starts from scratch, with pioneer species like lichens and mosses breaking down the rock and helping to build up soil over time. Secondary succession, on the other hand, occurs in an area that already had existing vegetation and soil that was disturbed or destroyed, such as after a fire or logging operation.
In general, primary succession takes longer to reach a climax community because it has to start from scratch building up the soil and establishing vegetation. Secondary succession can reach a climax community faster because there is already a base of soil and vegetation present that can quickly regenerate and grow back.
Examples of disturbances that would cause primary succession include volcanic eruptions, glacial retreat, or the deposition of new sediment in a riverbed. Examples of disturbances that would cause secondary succession include wildfires, hurricanes, or clear-cutting of a forest.