Organisms that produce their own food (called producers) are the ones that an ecosystem can support after a primary disturbance.
A disturbance (like a forest fire or a flood) has destroyed the plants in a community, but the soil remains. Pioneer plants (the first plants to become established after the disturbance) start from roots or seeds remaining in the soil or from seeds carried in by wind or animals from surrounding communities.
Some plant species, such as weeds, might still live in the disturbed area; these plants are quick to reestablish themselves. Cones or seeds may also remain on the ground or in the soil. After the disturbance, if soil conditions are right, these cones and seeds can germinate and start new plant communities.
Disturbances, such as disease and fire, can cause ecosystems to become unstable. When an ecosystem is disturbed, individual organisms, as well as entire species, can die out.
Ecosystems can better handle disturbances whenever there is a high amount of biodiversity within that ecosystem. The more varied the organisms within an ecosystem, the more likely it is that some of them could use their specialized and unique adaptations to survive major changes or disturbances in the ecosystem.
To learn more, see study links below:
PowerSchool.com
Illinois.edu
Jrank.org