Nitrogen fixation - nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil reduce nitrogen gas to ammonia.

Some nitrogen fixing bacteria live in the root nodules of leguminous plants (eg beans). They form a mutualistic relationship with the plant, providing it with amino acids in return for carbohydrates. Ammonification - saprobionts release enzymes onto dead organisms (extracellular digestion) which break down nitrogen containing compounds (proteins/dna) into ammonia, which forms ammonium ions in the soil. Nitrification - nitrifying bacteria oxidise ammonium ions into nitite ions, and then again to nitrate ions. Nitrifying bacteria are aerobic and need oxygen for these conversions, so the soil structure must be kept light and well aerated by ploughing, which creates air spaces. This improves the productivity of crops. Denitrification - denitrifying bacteria turn nitrates into nitrogen gas by using the nitrates for respiration. Happens in anaerobic conditions. The nitrates produced from nitrification are soluble and are actively transported into the roots of plants. They are made into proteins/dna which are used for growth, so the plant gets a bigger leaf area which increases photosynthesis so increases productivity.

Pioneers arrives at hostile area by wind dispersal of seeds/spores, they are an example of xerophytes and have adaptions like exstentive root network which allow them to survive. As they go through life cycle they make the abiotic conditions less hostile by increasing Nitrate content in soil for example and this gives rise to other species which outcompete them for resources. After alot of time larger organisms will be present and succession would lead a climax community. through this process the stability of the enviornment would increase and likewise biodiversity.