2.5.7—Success HLion changes over time

Succession usually increases biomass, soil development and food-web complexity, but productivity and diversity need not rise monotonically.

New niches can raise diversity, while late dominance can reduce it. Productivity rises as producers establish, then respiration may catch up; nutrient cycling gains stores and pathways.

Diversity may peak in a middle stage with pioneers and later colonists together, then fall when one canopy species dominates.

State the measured variable and stage; do not assume every trend is always upward.

More biomass does not automatically mean more diversity or higher net productivity.