1. What is a pioneer species? Name one? 2. What type of succession occurs after a natural disaster?

1. A pioneer species is a plant or animal that is the first to colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, beginning a chain of ecological succession that ultimately leads to a more biodiverse steady-state ecosystem. One example of a pioneer species is the lichen.<br /><br />2. The type of succession that occurs after a natural disaster is called secondary succession. This type of succession happens after an event like a forest fire, hurricane, or human activities like farming, that disrupts the ecosystem but does not destroy the soil. Secondary succession occurs in areas where a biological community has already existed but has been disturbed or destroyed.