Which scenario is an example of ecological succession?

Prepare for the IB Biology Exam. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Master key concepts and excel in your test!

Ecological succession refers to the natural process through which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance. In the case of a forest regenerating after a wildfire, this is a clear example of primary or secondary succession. After a wildfire, the landscape may be cleared of vegetation, but it will eventually regain its biodiversity through a series of successive stages. Initially, pioneer species, such as certain grasses and shrubs, will colonize the area, leading to the gradual establishment of larger plants, including trees, over time. This process exemplifies how ecosystems recover and reorganize following a significant disruption.

The other choices do not exemplify ecological succession. Population doubling focuses on a demographic change rather than ecosystem development. Soil acidity changes due to pollution indicate environmental alteration, but not a sequential change in the biological community structure inherent to succession. Similarly, species evolution over generations refers to genetic changes within a species rather than the development of an ecosystem through sequential stages.

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