The correct answer is:
- **Secondary succession**
After a small disturbance to a stable plant community, secondary succession begins. This process involves the re-establishment of a community following a disturbance that leaves the soil intact. Examples of disturbances that can initiate secondary succession include wildfires, human activities like deforestation, or natural disasters like hurricanes.
During secondary succession, pioneer species, which are hardy plants capable of colonizing bare areas, start the process of rebuilding the community. As these pioneer species grow and change the environment by adding organic matter and improving soil conditions, other plant species gradually establish themselves. Over time, the community develops and reaches a stable state once again.
Secondary succession differs from primary succession in that it occurs in areas where soil is already present, allowing for a quicker recovery and a different sequence of species establishment.
