Pioneers of tomorrow or Leaders of today?

 Biology has been my favourite subject because it teaches me the way of life. From the machinery of the cell, to the mechanics of DNA, it has taught me the individualist nature of small things. From the vastness of an ecosystem to the narrowness of niche, it has helped me understand the expansions of ideas. How to adapt, how to evolve, the science of life teaches explicitly. Biological texts are near to Bibles and Bhagvat Gita for an atheist scientist. 

     As I read these texts, many parallel resemblances crowd in my mind. For the sheer pleasure of nibbling at the idea, I decide to pen it down. 

'Pioneers' are the Adam and Eve of any ecosystem. They thrive, grow and perpetuate in hostile conditions. They are the Kings( don't get me wrong it could be Queens also) of the No-Man Land. Crustose Lichens are the terristial pioneers of the lithosphere. They grow on bare, tough rocks causing their weathering by secreting organic acids. Thus, pedogenesis occurs paving way to a base for flourishing Bryophytes. 

    Something similar happens within the aquatic ecosystem. The phytoplanktons are believed to be at the base of an aquatic food web. Now my aim here is not loud talk about biology, but subtly share its message. The message of Pioneers. The qualities of Leadership. A pioneer is not sculptured by the masses. A pioneer is self made. Infact it is the pioneer who sculptures the mass. Pioneers have to bear the atrocities of the society. Dig into the feculence of people and emerge carrying gold. It ( for not debating over whether leaders are males or females) has to destroy rigid, stubborn, coarse thoughts and ideologies of the society to create fertile soil for the ordinary masses to grow. And in this Herculean task, many a times they are compeled to be acid refluxing individuals!!!

    The most ironical part about these pioneers is though they are the ones who initiated the succession yet they are never at the APEX!! They will be always seen at that bare rock which will now be the object of their productivity. The ones seen at the Apex are the consumers. The wildest of the lot. Consuming the energy of the entire ecosystem. Projecting themselves to be stronger by display of their sharpened teeth, claws and the likes, these are predators, no leaders. Leave them to a deserted island, they will be the first to extinct for they cannot create a niche for others. 

     A pioneer's role is to make niche for the other biotic components of the ecosystem. A niche where the organism not only survives but also grows, forms colonies and leads to speciation.  So crucial is the role of pioneers that we cannot overlook their contribution. Our society is now contaminated with fake predators claiming to be pioneers. The real species of lichens is endangered. There are poisonous phytoplanktons under the veil of generative ones. Creating pioneers is more vital than electing tertiary leaders. 

     For the Lion King can only lead the pack but not be responsible for its survival!! 

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