In 1963 a new island was formed from a volcanic eruption. The island was named Surtsey and is located off the southern end of Iceland. There are no human inhabitants on Surtsey and scientists have forbidden humans from colonizing the island. Four students made statements about the island and presented them to their professor, which student’s argument is the BEST?

Question 1 options:

Student B says this is a great example of primary succession because the island began with no soil

Student A says this is a great example of primary succession since humans have not immigrated to the island

Student D says this is a great example of secondary succession because the island was immediately visited by sea birds

Student C says this is a great example of secondary succession because the island came from an undersea volcano

A new island formed as a result of volcanic eruption will have to undergo processes that will enable its colonization by living organisms - a form of primary succession. The living organisms that will colonize the newly formed island are referred to as pioneer species.

Generally, succession represents a gradual change in the species structure of a community over a period of time. Sometimes, this change can take thousands of years as some species keep getting replaced by another species till a relatively stable community (climax community) is reached.

Succession that happens when an area that has not held any form of life before is colonized by life is known as primary succession.

When an area that holds different species of living organisms undergo a period of disturbance to its structure, it tries to adjust itself over time and the kind of succession that takes place is known as secondary succession.