Off the southern coast of Iceland,the small volcanic island of Surtsey first emerged above sea level in 1963.By 1970,plants,mosses,and lichens had colonized the island,and by 2008,over 50 species of plants were on the island,and birds and seals had begun using the island as well.The ecological changes that have occurred on this new island represent ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Primary succession is the process by which an ecosystem develops from bare rock or other lifeless substrate. Surtsey's emergence from the sea represents the beginning of this process, and the colonization by plants, mosses, and lichens indicates the start of the development of a new ecosystem.

Off the Southern Coast of Iceland,the Small Volcanic Island of Surtsey