What type of succession occurs on already developed soils?

Secondary succession occurs on already developed soils, making it the correct choice in this context. This process takes place after a disturbance that significantly alters an ecosystem, such as a fire, flood, or human activities like farming, but does not completely remove the soil and its seed bank. Because the soil and some organisms remain intact, the recovery and development of the ecosystem can proceed more rapidly than it would from bare substrate.

In secondary succession, the presence of established soil allows for the quicker re-establishment of plant communities, as seeds and roots may already be present. This not only enhances the speed of recovery but also affects the types of species that can colonize the area, often leading to a similar community structure as the one that existed prior to the disturbance.

In contrast, primary succession occurs on surfaces that have never before been colonized, such as bare rock or newly formed volcanic islands, where there is no pre-existing soil. Plagiosere refers to a type of succession that occurs in areas that have been disturbed but are still experiencing changes, not necessarily within well-developed soils. Zonation pertains to the arrangement of different plant and animal communities in relation to environmental gradients, rather than a succession process.