How do biodiversity and biomass change during ecological succession?

During ecological succession, particularly in the transition from pioneer communities to climax communities, both biodiversity and biomass exhibit notable patterns. In the early stages of succession, after a disturbance or creation of a new habitat, a relatively small number of species (low biodiversity) and low biomass are present. As succession progresses, various species colonize the area, leading to an increase in both the number of species and the overall biomass.

Biodiversity tends to increase as more species are introduced and established, contributing to more complex interactions within the ecosystem. This diversity enhances ecosystem stability and resilience. Concurrently, biomass—the total mass of living organisms in a given area—also increases as plants grow, reproduce, and become established, forming a denser vegetative cover.

Ultimately, both biodiversity and biomass typically peak and stabilize at the climax stage of succession. The climax community represents a stable endpoint provided it remains undisturbed. In this state, the ecosystem has reached a balance where energy and nutrient cycling is optimized, supporting a rich community of species adapted to the local environment. This comprehensive growth characterizes the dynamic nature of ecological succession, describing how ecosystems evolve and mature over time.