How is succession influenced by abiotic factors?

Succession is influenced by abiotic factors such as temperature, light, water availability, and soil composition.

Abiotic factors, which are non-living physical and chemical elements in the environment, play a significant role in determining the course of succession. They can influence the types of species that can survive in a particular environment, the rate of their growth, and their interactions with other species.

Temperature is a crucial abiotic factor that influences succession. Different species have different temperature requirements for survival and growth. For instance, some species can only thrive in cold temperatures, while others need warmer conditions. Therefore, the temperature of an environment can determine which species become dominant during succession. For example, in a forest succession, the pioneer species are often those that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, while the climax community is usually composed of species that prefer specific temperature ranges.

Light is another abiotic factor that can influence succession. Light intensity and duration can affect the types of plants that can grow in an area. Some plants, known as shade-tolerant species, can grow in low light conditions, while others, known as sun-loving species, require high light intensity. In a forest succession, the pioneer species are often sun-loving plants, while the climax community is usually composed of shade-tolerant species.

Water availability also plays a significant role in succession. Some species can survive in dry conditions, while others need a lot of water. Therefore, the amount of rainfall and the presence of water bodies can determine which species become dominant during succession. For example, in a desert succession, the pioneer species are often those that can tolerate dry conditions, while the climax community is usually composed of species that require more water.

Soil composition is another abiotic factor that can influence succession. The type of soil, its nutrient content, pH level, and other characteristics can affect the types of plants that can grow in an area. Some plants, known as calcifuges, cannot tolerate alkaline soils, while others, known as calcicoles, prefer such conditions. Therefore, the soil composition can determine which species become dominant during succession.

In conclusion, abiotic factors significantly influence succession by determining the types of species that can survive in a particular environment, their growth rate, and their interactions with other species.