Question

The succession that starts on abandoned cropland is
A. Primary succession
B. Xerarch succession
C. Secondary succession
D. Hydrarch succession

Answer 1

Succession in ecology refers to the process of directional change in community composition. Succession is classified into two types. The primary succession starts on bare land, whereas the secondary succession starts on an area that was affected by calamities.

Complete answer: Succession refers to the directional change in community composition on an ecological time scale. Each temporary stage in succession is called a seral stage. The succession is divided into two types namely primary succession and secondary succession. Primary succession refers to the succession starting at a bare piece of land where no community existed before. On the other hand, secondary succession begins in an area where the community existed before, but it has been destroyed by some natural calamities. Succession can also be classified based on the type of area it begins on. Xerarch succession refers to the succession taking place on land. It can begin on bare rock or some sandy area. Hydrarch succession, on the other hand, begins in freshwater or saline water. Abandoned cropland means that it was an inhabitant to some earlier species, but due to some reasons, the species vanished. Thus, it is an example of secondary succession.
So, the correct answer is option C.

Note: The stabilization stage of the succession refers to the complete harmony in species with each other. The area is fully occupied and the community closes for further invasion. The final community of the succession is known as the climax community. It takes normally 100 to 200 years for a community to be stabilized.