Nitrogen Fixation
A key facilitation mechanism where pioneer organisms create essential resources (fixed nitrogen) that enable successor species.
Legumes and alders harbor symbiotic bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen to forms accessible to plants, enriching nitrogen-poor soils. Subsequent non-fixing species benefit from this enrichment, allowing species that couldn't establish initially to colonize later. On nutrient-poor volcanic substrates, nitrogen fixers are often essential for allowing non-fixers to establish.
Business Application of Nitrogen Fixation
A key facilitation mechanism where pioneer organisms create essential resources (fixed nitrogen) that enable successor species. In business, this parallels how pioneer companies create essential market infrastructure, customer awareness, and validated demand that successor companies can leverage.