What type of ecological succession occurs in an area where no life previously existed?

The correct identification of ecological succession occurring in areas where no life previously existed is primary succession. This process begins on surfaces that are lifeless and devoid of soil, such as bare rock, lava flows, or areas exposed after glacial retreat. The initial colonizers in primary succession are typically pioneer species, such as lichens and mosses, which can tolerate harsh conditions and begin to establish the first layer of soil through their biological and physical weathering processes.

As these pioneer species die and decompose, they contribute organic material to the developing soil, enabling and paving the way for more complex plant species to grow, such as grasses, shrubs, and eventually larger trees. Over time, this leads to a more diverse ecosystem. The progression through successive stages in primary succession can take hundreds or even thousands of years, depending on the environment.

In contrast, secondary succession takes place in environments that have been disturbed but still retain soil and some organisms, meaning that life previously existed prior to the disturbance. The other options, such as climatic succession and chronic succession, do not describe the process of ecological succession in a traditional sense. Climatic succession usually refers to changes caused by climatic factors, while chronic succession is not a widely recognized term in ecology. Therefore, primary succession