A succession that occurs in an area where there are no pre-existing community is called

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the type of ecological succession that happens where no community has existed before, such as bare rock, a newly formed volcanic island, or sand dunes.

Step 2: Explain the concept Ecological succession is the gradual, orderly replacement of one community by another until a stable climax community forms. There are two main types:

• Primary succession: begins on a completely bare area with no soil and no previous community. Examples are bare rock, cooled lava, and newly formed sand dunes. Pioneer species such as lichens and mosses start it.
• Secondary succession: occurs in an area where a community previously existed but was destroyed or disturbed, for example by bush burning, farming, or flooding. Soil is already present, so it is faster.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Tertiary succession: not a recognized type in ecology.
• B. Primary succession: correct, since it starts in an area with no pre-existing community.
• C. Post-primary succession: not a standard term.
• D. Secondary succession: this happens where a community has been destroyed, so it is the opposite of what the question describes.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B. primary succession.

Exam tip: Remember "Primary = Premier = first time." It is the first community ever to settle on a bare site. "Secondary" means a second community re-establishing after the first has been destroyed. Pioneer organisms like lichens signal primary succession.