Pioneer Species are Usually Characterized by ____

Question

Pioneer species are usually characterized by ____  
A) small size
B) tolerance to extreme environmental conditions
C) slow maturation
D) small size and tolerance to extreme environmental conditions
E) small size and slow maturation

Accepted Answer

Pioneer species are plants or organisms that are the first to colonize a barren or disturbed ecosystem. They must be able to survive in harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, limited nutrients, and lack of water. These species are often small in size and have adaptations that allow them to withstand these conditions. Therefore, the best answer is D, which includes both small size and tolerance to extreme environmental conditions.