What does ecological succession refer to?

Ecological succession refers to the gradual change of ecosystems over time, making this choice accurate. This process involves a series of stages through which an ecosystem develops, typically following a disturbance or the creation of a new habitat. Succession can be categorized into two main types: primary succession, which occurs in lifeless areas where soil has yet to form (like after a volcanic eruption), and secondary succession, which takes place in areas where a disturbance has disrupted an existing ecosystem but where soil and some organisms still remain (like after a forest fire).

In essence, as time passes, communities of plants and animals replace one another in a predictable order, leading to a more mature and stable ecosystem. This dynamic process allows for increased biodiversity and complex interactions among species, which helps to maintain ecosystem health and resilience.

Other options refer to different ecological or environmental concepts; for instance, the sudden extinction of species relates to loss of biodiversity rather than a gradual change due to succession, and instantaneous population growth doesn't capture the long-term ecological changes we associate with succession. Irreversible environmental degradation speaks to the deterioration of ecosystems without recovery rather than the developmental aspect of ecological succession.