Question

Ecology

Why facilitation between species is more important early in succession and why inhibition is more common later?

Answer 1

According to facilitation modal, disturbed situation is first colonize by certain pioneer species. These pioneer species are most capable of reaching and establish on the site. These initial interaction of species with disturbed environments modify the site in such a way that it makes   environment more suitable for invasion by other species. for example, they may be involved in earliest stages of soil development. Thus by doing these interaction they make environment more favourable and thus help to next species to colonize that area. So these facilitation are important at inital stages to colonize the intial species in disturbed area as environment is not favorable. And coming species can not establish on this area what out help of previous species so this facilitation is important. But in sucession , the later-successional species eliminate the pioneers through competition. As now the environment is favourable and many species can colonize the area so now competition occur which lead to elimination of the species by inhibitory interaction until the climax community is reached.