What are pioneer species

Question

What do you understand by pioneer species? Explain role of these species.

Answer 1

Pioneer species are those first species which colonizes those places where previously there used to be no living beings, such as algae which colonize bare rocks. In common, pioneers species are the autotrophs or retain the harmonious ecological interaction along with the autotrophic beings (such as autotrophic bacteria, lichens, herbaceous plants).

The pioneer community is made up of species that are able to survive under the hostile environment conditions. The occurrence of these species alters the micro-environment producing changes in a-biotic and biotic factors of the ecosystem undergoing formation. Thus, they open the way to other species in order to establish instead by creating new potential ecological niches.