After the 1980 eruption of Mount St.Helens, populations of small mammals and other organisms recovered much more quickly in the zones of secondary succession than in the Pumice Plain, where primary succession occurred.This more rapid recovery was aided by all of the following factors except

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Areas devoid of life, as described in choice D, would not aid in the rapid recovery of ecosystems following a disturbance like a volcanic eruption. In contrast, existing life, soil, nutrients, and structures like burrows contribute to quicker recovery by providing the necessary resources and habitats for new growth and colonization. Choice D, referring to a "blank canvas," actually describes conditions more typical of primary succession, which is a slower process starting from scratch, rather than aiding recovery in zones of secondary succession where some life and soil structure remain.

After the 1980 Eruption of Mount St