In addition, the whale fall community is a rapidly changing environment. The whale carcass provides a rich source of nutrients that are quickly broken down by bacteria and other decomposers. This process creates a highly dynamic environment that is not suitable for the establishment of long-lived plant species.
As a result of these factors, plants are not found in the succession of a whale fall community. The community is instead dominated by bacteria, archaea, and other microorganisms that are adapted to the extreme conditions of the deep sea.