Question

After a rather large volcanic eruption in the South Pacific, a new group of islands has formed where land previously had not existed. Over the next several years, some small plants start to grow and populate the island. These plants give way to small shrubs and trees that provide habitat for sea birds. This is an example of _____.

wetlands
primary succession
secondary succession
climax community

Answer 1

Did you look up each one of those terms to see which one best fits?

Answer 2

It could be secondary succession because it starts with fire

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_succession
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_succession
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climax_community
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I read a little about each of these....
And...
I think you are close.

Answer 4

primary
?

Answer 5

That is my opinion. Did you read the example given for Primary succession on that link?

Answer 6

This isn't my area of expertise. Just trying to help.

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

"A good example of primary succession takes place after a volcano has erupted." from that wiki site :D

Answer 9

But...you may be right. I think it is either primary or secondary (and I don't mean both).

Answer 10

You know what. Secondary succession is what happens after the event and your paragraph above it is explaining what is happening after the volcano eruption.

Answer 11

"Secondary succession is one of the two types of ecological succession of plant life. As opposed to the first, primary succession, secondary succession is a process started by an event[1] (e.g. forest fire, harvesting, hurricane) that reduces an already established ecosystem (e.g. a forest or a wheat field) to a smaller population of species, and as such secondary succession occurs on preexisting soil whereas primary succession usually occurs in a place lacking soil.

Simply put, secondary succession is the succession that occurs after the initial succession has been disrupted and some plants and animals still exist. It is usually faster than primary succession as:

Soil is already present, so there is no need for pioneer species;
Seeds, roots and underground vegetative organs of plants may still survive in the soil."
Upon reading this though, it sounds like in your paragraph you have above it has actually gotten passed the secondary succession. What do you think?

Answer 12

It said some plants and animals still exist.
It sounds like you have sever plants existing.

Answer 13

several*

Answer 14

Hmmm....Let me see if we can find a person with a second opinion.
I'm not totally sure.
I don't think it is primary succession for sure after further reading.

Answer 15

@myininaya you are correct.

Answer 16

Okay Kristen! I think your first guess is right. lol.

Answer 17

oh cool thanks

Answer 18

looking at the wiki more I think it is to

Answer 19

It sounds like you don't have a climax community (because we don't really have a lot in our community) and it doesn't sound like a primary succession (because we are passed the volcano event).
I don't think we have the wetland thing because we don't a lot of water mentioned.
So that leaves with your first guess.

Answer 20

Actually there is no mention of water.

Answer 21

It would make the most sense Thanks for the Help and the wikis

Answer 22

NP. I tried. I think I learned a little by trying helping you. :)

Answer 23

Haha yeah xD

Answer 24

This is an example of primary succession
the small plants are succeeded by shrubs and trees

Answer 25

This is primary succession because plants never grew there before because the islands were just formed. Secondary succession is when plants were there and something happens that kills the plant life that was previously there and starts growing new plants. Confusing huh ? Primary is when plants start growing there for the very first time. Secondary is when plants are just being replaced.