Question

a hurricane hits a coastal prairie and destroys the habitat. years later there is an appearance of small plants with rapidly spreading roots on newly formed coastal sand dunes. this vegetation describes—
a a microhabitat
b primary succession
c secondary succession
d biodiversity

Explanation:

• Option A: A microhabitat is a small, specific habitat within a larger one, not related to vegetation regrowth after a hurricane. Eliminate A.
• Option B: Primary succession occurs on bare, lifeless areas (like rock) with no soil. Here, the hurricane destroyed a prairie (soil still exists), so not primary. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Secondary succession happens in an area where a disturbance (like a hurricane) destroyed the community but soil and some organisms remain. The coastal prairie had soil, and new vegetation appears after the hurricane, fitting secondary succession.
• Option D: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life, not the process of vegetation regrowth. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. secondary succession