Recent studies reveal that rising temperatures are reshaping the timing of species arrivals and interactions throughout the seasons, significantly altering community assembly in various ecosystems. As warming accelerates, early arrivers gain an amplified advantage by establishing dominance before competitors emerge, fundamentally shifting the traditional balance of ecological succession. This seasonal reordering disrupts established priority effects, where species that colonize first shape resource availability and influence biodiversity patterns. Researchers have observed that these altered interactions can cascade throughout the food web, affecting nutrient cycling, predator-prey dynamics, and overall ecosystem stability.

Key implications of these warming-induced shifts include:

  • Changes in species composition: Some native species may decline as early-season invaders monopolize…