At each stage in succession, certain species change the environment making it more or less suitable for other species
As succession progresses, each group of species alters the environment around it. Those changes make conditions better for new species and worse for the ones already there.
Real World
On the volcanic island of Surtsey, near Iceland, pioneer mosses trapped wind-blown sediment and built thin soil, enabling grasses and then seabirds to colonise — each species changing conditions for the next.
Exam Focus
Link each seral stage to a specific abiotic change (e.g. increased soil depth, reduced wind exposure) for full marks.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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