Q. What are pioneer species? What is the role of the pioneer species?
The Pioneer species are those first species that colonize places where previously there were no living beings, like, for instance, algae that colonize bare rocks. Generally, the pioneer species are autotrophs or those that maintain harmonious ecological interaction with autotrophic beings (like herbaceous plants, autotrophic bacteria, lichens).
The pioneer community is formed of species can survive under hostile environments. The occurrence of these species modifies the microenvironment generating changes in biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem undergoing formation. Thus they open the way to other species to establish in the place by the creation of new potential ecological niches.