Pioneer species are adapted to tolerate extreme abiotic conditions, and their death and decomposition help build up an organic soil layer that makes the habitat less hostile.

Secondary succession is initiated on completely sterile substrates, such as newly exposed rock from a retreating glacier, where no organic matter or soil remains.

In a climax community, a stable equilibrium is reached where the rate of gross primary productivity is approximately balanced by total community respiration.

As succession proceeds, species diversity typically increases, which increases the number of niches and creates more complex food webs.