Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Pioneer species
In ecology a pioneer species is a plant species which colonises previously uncolonised land, usually leading to succession. Since uncolonised land usually has thin, poor quality soils with few nutrients pioneer species are typically very hardy plants, with adaptions such as long roots, root nodes containing nitrogen fixing bacteria, and leaves which reduce transpiration.
Pioneer species are often grasses, such as marram grass which grows on sand dunes.
Last updated: 10-15-2005 12:08:30
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details