What is primary succession?

Primary succession:

Primary succession refers to the establishment of a community in an uninhabited area such as rocks.

Process of primary succession:

1. Primary succession is seen in areas where volcanic eruptions occur.
2. When the lava has cooled and hardened, it forms rocks or barren land. Similarly, retreating glaciers also expose barren land.
3. The spores of lichens and moss can be deposited on the barren land by wind or rain. Lichens and moss are the first species that appear and grow on rocks/barren land. Hence, they are known as pioneer species.
4. Lichens release acids that break down rocks into sediments.
5. As the pioneer species die, the organic dead matter mixes with the rock sediment to produce the first layer of soil.
6. This helps some ferns and fungi to grow and when they die, more organic matter is deposited to produce more soil.
7. As the process continues, seeds enter the area via bird droppings and wind.
8. They develop into shrubs, flowers, and fruits. As more time passes and the soil thickness increases, trees begin to take root and more animals start to inhabit the area leading to the development of a thriving ecosystem.