succession

Question 1

succession

Answer 1

colonisation by pioneer species (first species to colonise)

pioneer species change the abiotic conditions and make the environment less hostile e.g. die and decompose, forming soil which retains water

environment becomes more suitable for other species with different adaptations, and may be less suitable for the previous species - better adapted species outcompetes previous species

as succession goes on, biodiversity increases

climax community: final, complex, stable community

Question 2

conservation of habitats

Answer 2

involves management of succession

human activities can prevent succession and stop a climax community from forming : plagioclimax

conservation sometimes involves preventing succession in order to preserve an ecosystem in its current stage of succession