What are pioneer species

Question

What are pioneer species? What is the role of the pioneer species?

Answer 1

Pioneer species are those first species that colonize places where previously there were no living beings, like, for example, algae that colonize bare rocks. In general, pioneers species are autotrophs or maintain harmonious ecological interaction with the autotrophic beings (like autotrophic bacteria, lichens, herbaceous plants).

The pioneer community is formed of the species capable to continue to exist under hostile environments. The presence of such species modifies the microenvironment generating alters in abiotic and biotic factors of the ecosystem undergoing formation. Thus, they open way to other species to set up in the place by the creation of the new potential ecological niches.