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How do taller plants replace sun-loving pioneer species during succession?

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Diagram showing energy flow in a food chain from a tree to a caterpillar, then to a bird, and finally to microbes, with red arrows illustrating energy transfer and heat loss at each stage. — community ecology Energy transfer and heat loss along a food chain.

In the process of ecological succession, taller plants replace sun-loving pioneer species primarily through the modification of the local environment.12

Pioneer species are adapted to colonize harsh, barren environments, but they require large amounts of sunlight to thrive. As these early colonizers establish themselves, they contribute to soil formation and fertility. This improved environment eventually allows for the arrival and growth of intermediate species, such as shrubs and small trees, which are carried into the area by wind, water, or animals.1

As these intermediate species grow taller, they cast shade over the ground. Because the pioneer species are dependent on high levels of light, this increased shading deprives them of the energy they need to survive. Consequently, the environment becomes less hospitable to the pioneers, leading to their local decline and replacement by these more competitive, shade-tolerant species.12