The graphic shows the island of Krakatoa, which disintegrated in 1889, due to the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. In the century since the eruption, the island has re-formed from lava flows. The table above shows the number of species of various plant types that were found on the island over a 30 year period, since the island re-surfaced above the ocean in the 1950's. Which of these plants is likely to be a pioneer species?

Question

Biology

Jamal Stuart

25 June, 13:51

The graphic shows the island of Krakatoa, which disintegrated in 1889, due to the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. In the century since the eruption, the island has re-formed from lava flows. The table above shows the number of species of various plant types that were found on the island over a 30 year period, since the island re-surfaced above the ocean in the 1950's. Which of these plants is likely to be a pioneer species?

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Answers (1)

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Raquel Daniels · Answer 1

As you can see in the table presented below, in the first few years after the eruption, there was a significant number of moss species present.

Pioneer species are species that are very resilient and first to inhabit new habitats or repopulate disrupted ones, so in this example, mosses are the most likely candidate for pioneer species.