Pioneer species
Definition
Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize and establish a community in an area that has been disturbed or devoid of life.
Analogy
Think of pioneer species as the brave pioneers who venture into uncharted territories, like explorers who set foot on a new land before others.
Related terms
Succession: The process by which ecosystems change over time, starting with pioneer species and progressing towards more complex communities.
Primary succession: The type of succession that occurs in areas where no soil is present, such as on bare rock or after a volcanic eruption.
Secondary succession: The type of succession that occurs in areas where soil is already present, such as after a forest fire or agricultural abandonment.
"Pioneer species" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.