The change in plant, animal, and microbial communities in an area following disturbance or the creation of new substrate is called ________.
A) progression
B) succession
C) replacement
D) colonization
E) invasion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Succession is the process of change in plant, animal, and microbial communities in an area following disturbance or the creation of new substrate. Progression implies a linear movement towards a specific endpoint, which is not necessarily the case in ecological succession. Replacement implies a one-to-one substitution of species, which is also not always the case in succession. Colonization refers to the initial establishment of organisms in a new area, whereas invasion refers to the movement of non-native species into an area. While colonization is part of succession, invasion is not necessarily part of the natural process of succession.

The Change in Plant, Animal, and Microbial Communities in an Area