ascendancy
n.the state of being more powerful or successful than others. In ecology, it describes when one species becomes the most dominant in an area.
n.the state of being superior in power, influence, or status to others. In an ecological context, it refers to the dominance of a particular species within a community or ecosystem.
“The local bird species gained ascendancy over the smaller ones.”
“After the forest fire, the invasive plant species quickly achieved ascendancy, outcompeting the native flora for nutrients and sunlight.”
“The rapid ascendancy of the invasive species has led to a significant shift in the local food web, threatening the survival of several endemic predators.”
“One reason United were able to cause problems in the second half was down to Rashford and Mbeumo being relentless, occupying defenders and, ultimately, tiring minds and legs with United in the ascendancy.”
“He had the maturity, the leadership, the ascendancy over Spain’s young players – Barcelona’s young players – that they needed.”
From ascend + -ancy or ascendant + -cy. The use in ecology is due to Robert Ulanowicz.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.