Which factor can cause secondary succession? a)clear cutting b)glacial melting c)competition d)predation

The answer is A. Clear cutting

Secondary succession happens in areas that were disturbed. The disturbance can be by natural or man-made disturbances. But the condition usually needs to be harsh. Examples of natural disturbances would be storms or floods. Man-made disturbances can come int he form of forest fires or clear-cutting. A clear cut forest is a good example of a disturbed area where secondary succession can take place.

Secondary succession refers to the process which starts by an event such as harvesting, hurricane, forest fire, and clear-cutting. These events aid in reducing the previously established ecosystem.  

Further Explanation:

Ecological succession refers to the process of alteration in the structure of species of the ecological community over the time span. The time scale can be decades or more. The community starts with comparatively few developing animals as well as plants. It then develops via the elevating complexity unless it turns stable as a climax community. Ecological succession can be of 2 kinds, namely, primary and secondary succession.

In primary succession, the successional dynamics begins with the colonization of the region which has not been engaged by any ecological community like newly exposed sand regions and lava flows. Animals start to return when there is the availability of food for them to consume.

On the other hand, in secondary succession, the successional dynamics occur after an extreme disturbance or elimination of the pre-existing. The dynamics are strongly affected by the pre-disturbance situations such as seed banks, soil development, as well as residual living organisms. An example of this can be natural regeneration after the clear-cutting of the mixed and mature species forest in North America.

Learn more:

Learn more about abiotic factor of an ecosystem

Learn more about primary and secondary succession

Learn more about product of photosynthesis

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Ecology

Keywords:

Ecological succession, primary succession, secondary succession, clear-cutting, climax community, soil development, regeneration, North America, dynamics, species.

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