Which type of succession occurs after a disturbance that destroys a community but leaves soil intact?

Secondary succession occurs in environments where a disturbance has destroyed the existing community but has not affected the soil, allowing for a relatively quicker recovery of ecosystems. This type of succession often follows events such as forest fires, floods, or human activities like agriculture, where the disruption leads to a significant loss of vegetation while the soil's organic matter and seed bank remain intact.

The presence of soil is crucial because it contains the necessary nutrients and microbial life that support plant regrowth. Following a disturbance, pioneers such as grasses and fast-growing herbaceous plants often colonize the area, paving the way for larger plants and a more complex ecosystem to re-establish itself over time. This recovery process is generally faster than primary succession, which occurs in lifeless areas where no soil exists, such as on bare rock after a volcanic eruption. The distinction highlights the resilience of ecosystems and the importance of soil in facilitating ecological recovery.