Question

lichens, represented by this symbiotic relationship, are responsible for ______ or the establishment of a new site for plant growth.
a primary succession
b secondary succession
c trophic metamorphosis
d ecological infiltration

Explanation:

Lichens are pioneer species in primary succession, which is the process of ecological succession that occurs on a newly formed or newly exposed site with no prior soil or organic matter. Primary succession starts from bare rock, sand, etc., and lichens help in breaking down the rock to form soil, enabling other plants to grow later. Secondary succession occurs in areas where a disturbance has destroyed an existing community but soil and some organisms remain. Trophic metamorphosis is about changes in feeding relationships, and ecological infiltration is not a standard term for this process. So the correct option is related to primary succession.

Answer:

A. primary succession