Which of the following is a characteristic of an early seral community?
Narrow niche specialization
High species diversity
Low community production
Open mineral cycling
One characteristic of an early seral community is open mineral cycling.
Early seral communities refer to the initial stages of ecological succession, where a habitat undergoes colonization and establishment by organisms following a disturbance. In these early stages, the ecosystem is typically characterized by open mineral cycling, which means that the availability and movement of minerals and nutrients within the community are relatively unrestricted.
After a disturbance, such as a fire, landslide, or clear-cutting, the nutrient-rich mineral soil is exposed. This allows for rapid nutrient uptake and utilization by the pioneer species that colonize the area. Nutrients are readily accessible for uptake by plants, and decomposition processes are more active, contributing to the release of nutrients from organic matter.
The open mineral cycling characteristic of early seral communities is often associated with high nutrient availability and turnover rates. As the community progresses through successive stages of succession, nutrient cycling may become more complex and regulated by the interactions among different organisms and the development of soil structure.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.