What is likely to govern changes in species abundance along a transect over time?

Changes in species abundance along a transect over time are primarily influenced by the type of habitat and potential ecological succession. Different habitats can support varying species compositions due to factors such as resource availability, soil type, and moisture levels. As ecological succession occurs—whether it be primary succession starting from bare rock or secondary succession following a disturbance—species gradually replace one another, leading to shifts in abundance.

Ecological succession is a gradual process where pioneer species colonize an area first, followed by more complex species as the environment changes and stabilizes. This dynamic nature of ecosystems, influenced by both biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (environmental factors) components, is essential in determining the patterns of species abundance over time.

While other factors like specific weather patterns or temperatures can affect species, they are often more transient influences compared to the fundamental and ongoing processes governed by habitat type and ecological succession. Human activity may also impact species abundance, but it does not solely govern changes, as many natural processes continue to operate independently of human interventions.