Question

Select all that occur as ecological succession progresses.
A.
Soils that are rich in nutrients become deeper.

B.
Biodiversity decreases.

C.
Larger plants and animals inhabit the area.

D.
Pioneer species become dominant.

E.
Sustainability increases.

F.
Competition between organisms decreases.

Answer 1

As ecological succession progresses, the following typically occur:

A. Soils that are rich in nutrients become deeper.
C. Larger plants and animals inhabit the area.
E. Sustainability increases.

These statements reflect changes that occur over the course of ecological succession.

- **A** is true because as succession progresses, organic matter builds up, leading to deeper and more nutrient-rich soils.
- **C** is true as larger and more diverse plant and animal species typically inhabit an area as it matures through succession.
- **E** is true because mature ecosystems tend to be more stable and sustainable compared to early stages of succession.

Statements **B**, **D**, and **F** are generally not true:

- **B** is false as biodiversity typically increases during succession.
- **D** is misleading as pioneer species are dominant in the initial stages of succession, but as succession progresses, other species become more dominant.
- **F** is false because competition between organisms generally increases as species richness and abundance grow during succession.