Primary succession, from colonisation by pioneer species to climax community
Primary succession is the process where living things gradually colonise bare, lifeless ground. Over time, each wave of species changes the environment until a stable final community establishes itself.
Real World
After the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, the barren volcanic island was first colonised by cyanobacteria and ferns; within decades, grasses, shrubs and eventually tropical forest developed, illustrating a textbook primary succession sequence.
Exam Focus
Always name specific pioneer species (lichens, mosses) and state they colonise bare rock — vague answers lose marks.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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