Question

what starts the ecological succession process? the climax community the species richness of an area a disturbance, such as volcanic eruption

Explanation:

Ecological succession is often initiated by a disturbance that clears an area. A climax community is the end - stage of succession, and species richness is a characteristic of an ecosystem during or after succession, not the start. A disturbance like a volcanic eruption can create a new or altered environment for succession to begin.

Answer:

a disturbance, such as volcanic eruption