Describe the order in which new life will appear in a community undergoing primary succession. why does the community not begin with large plants such as trees, and large animals such as bears and deer

The first plants in a novel environment will be algae, lichen, and bryophytes. These plants are referred to as pioneer plants. After these plants have broken down the rocks, and begin to form soil, then you begin to see plants such as herbs, ferns, and grasses. Eventually, vascular plants will be found in the habitat.

New environments, such as those formed by a lava flow from volcanos, are majorly comprised of rocks. These are not an ideal substrate for higher plants since they do not form a great substrate for anchoring of the plant and the plants are unable to reach and take up the nutrient held in the rocks. Pioneering plants’ roots are able to penetrate the small crevices in rocks and cause mechanical weathering. These plants also secrete organic acids that chemically weather the rocks hence are significant in soil formation and release of nutrient from the rocks (nutrient cycling).