Explain the effect succession has on biodiversity

Succession initiates in regions where there are very harsh conditions and so no organisms are able to survive (therefore little biodiveristy);

-a pioneer species with good adaptaions are able to survive and reproduce in this hostile environment

-these pioneer organisms then decay and decompose, adding nutrients to the soil; this makes the area more habitable

• a few more species are able to then colonise the area (increasing the biodiveristy)

-these species then also decompose, increasing nutrients in the soil and making the region more habitable still. Therefore more species again are able to colonise the area, again increasing biodiveristy

-this occurs repeatedly

-climax community is reached, highest biodiveristy (most types and frequency of species at this point)