Priority effect

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In ecology, a priority effect refers to the impact that a particular species can have on community development as a result of its prior arrival at a site.^[1][2][3] There are two basic types of priority effects: inhibitory and facilitative. An inhibitory priority effect occurs when a species that arrives first at a site negatively affects a species that arrives later by reducing the availability of space or resources. In contrast, a facilitative priority effect occurs when a species that arrives first at a site alters abiotic or biotic conditions in ways that positively affect a species that arrives later.^[3][4] Inhibitory priority effects have been documented more frequently than facilitative priority effects.^{[citation needed]} Studies indicate that both abiotic (e.g., resource availability) and biotic (e.g., predation) factors can affect the strength of priority effects.^{[citation needed]} . Priority effects are a central and pervasive element of ecological community development that have significant implications for natural systems and ecological restoration efforts.^{[3][5][citation needed]}