How is secondary succession defined?

Secondary succession is defined as the process of recovery and regrowth of an ecosystem following a disturbance that significantly alters the environment but leaves the soil and some of the biological community intact. This can occur after events such as forest fires, hurricanes, or human activities like farming that disturb the existing ecological balance but do not completely obliterate the soil or all living organisms.

During secondary succession, the existing soil provides a foundation for new plant growth, allowing for a faster recovery compared to primary succession, which starts from bare rock and requires soil formation. This process typically begins with the growth of pioneer species, which can be grasses or shrubs, followed by more complex plant communities over time. The presence of soil enables the new ecosystem to regenerate more quickly, as it already contains seeds, nutrients, and microorganisms essential for growth.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of secondary succession. The development of a new ecosystem from bare rock refers to primary succession, while initial colonization without previous inhabitants also describes primary succession rather than a recovery process. Extinction due to rapid climate change describes a loss of biodiversity rather than a regrowth process, which is not relevant to the definition of secondary succession.