<P> Pioneer species are hardy species which are the first to colonize previously biodiverse steady - state ecosystems . Some lichens grow on rocks without soil , so may be among the first of life forms , and break down the rocks into soil for plants . Since some uncolonized land may have thin , poor quality soils with few nutrients , pioneer species are often hardy plants with adaptations such as long roots , root nodes containing nitrogen - fixing bacteria , and leaves that employ transpiration . Note that they are often photosynthetic plants , as no other source of energy ( such as other species ) except light energy is often available in the early stages of succession , thus making it less likely for a pioneer species to be non-photosynthetic . The plants that are often pioneer species also tend to be wind - pollinated rather than insect - pollinated , as insects are unlikely to be present in the usually barren conditions in which pioneer species grow ; however , pioneer species tend to reproduce asexually altogether , as the extreme or barren conditions present make it more favourable to reproduce asexually in order to increase reproductive success rather than invest energy into sexual reproduction . Pioneer species will die creating plant litter , and break down as `` leaf mold '' after some time , making new soil for secondary succession ( see below ) , and nutrients for small fish and aquatic plants in adjacent bodies of water . </P>
<P> Pioneer species are hardy species which are the first to colonize previously biodiverse steady - state ecosystems . Some lichens grow on rocks without soil , so may be among the first of life forms , and break down the rocks into soil for plants . Since some uncolonized land may have thin , poor quality soils with few nutrients , pioneer species are often hardy plants with adaptations such as long roots , root nodes containing nitrogen - fixing bacteria , and leaves that employ transpiration . Note that they are often photosynthetic plants , as no other source of energy ( such as other species ) except light energy is often available in the early stages of succession , thus making it less likely for a pioneer species to be non-photosynthetic . The plants that are often pioneer species also tend to be wind - pollinated rather than insect - pollinated , as insects are unlikely to be present in the usually barren conditions in which pioneer species grow ; however , pioneer species tend to reproduce asexually altogether , as the extreme or barren conditions present make it more favourable to reproduce asexually in order to increase reproductive success rather than invest energy into sexual reproduction . Pioneer species will die creating plant litter , and break down as `` leaf mold '' after some time , making new soil for secondary succession ( see below ) , and nutrients for small fish and aquatic plants in adjacent bodies of water . </P>
pioneer species are species that enter the area --
pioneer species are species that enter the area --
first to colonize previously biodiverse steady - state ecosystems
first to colonize previously biodiverse steady - state ecosystems