Which of the following is an example of primary succession?
A) new growth in a forest after a forest fire
B) regrowth and recolonization on Mt. St. Helens in areas covered with rock and lava
C) a wheat field that is not is allowed to grow wild
D) regrowth of vegetation in an area covered by a mud slide after flooding
E) colonization of an isolated island by a population of long-horned beetles

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Primary succession occurs in areas where there is no existing soil or vegetation. In the case of Mt. St. Helens, the eruption covered the area with lava and rock, so new life had to start from scratch in that area. The other options (A, C, D, E) involve regrowth or recolonization of areas that already had some form of vegetation or soil present, which would be considered secondary succession.

Which of the Following Is an Example of Primary Succession