Final answer:
Abiotic interactions in secondary succession involve factors like soil quality, water, and climate that influence which species colonize and thrive in an ecosystem following a disturbance. These factors help determine the progressive sequence of species, starting with pioneer species and culminating in a mature community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The abiotic interactions seen in secondary succession include a range of non-living factors that significantly influence the rehabilitation of an ecosystem after a disturbance such as a flood, wildfire, or abandonment of agricultural land. After such events, abiotic factors like soil quality, water availability, and climate conditions play critical roles in determining which species are able to colonize and thrive in the affected area, thus driving the successional process. For example, in oak and hickory forests cleared by wildfire, the soil enriched by ash from the burned vegetation provides a nutrient-rich foundation that supports the rapid growth of pioneer species such as grasses. Over time, these initial colonizers improve the soil further, allowing shrubs and eventually, larger trees to grow and create a new forest community.