For perennial pioneers I like Leuceana as a short lived tree with many benefits, edible pods, NFT, bee forage, chicken forage, animal fodder, drought tolerant.

I also like using nopales (Opuntia) as it grows fast and is easy to remove, plus edibility and drought tolerance.

Annual support species is a long list, and one that needs to be made. I select for drought tolerance, edibility, insect plant, and self-sowing. Arrugula, alyssum, cosmos, zinnia, chrysanthemum, calendula, sunflowers, and cilantro are some of my favorites.

One tactic is to introduce our own pioneer plants, or take advantage of those that are already there, ie "weeds". I think the best would be both.

We can select local pioneer species by observing the site- for example, looking over the fence to see what "weeds" are growing in that area. The specifics of the site will dictate what plants will grow and be the best support species, ie soils and exposure. (and the plants growing will tell you what the soils are lacking)

Most local "weeds" are naturalized European introductions, and many are edible and medicinal, as well as insect plants and great sources of biomass. Off the top of my head, the most common "weeds" of coastal SB that are edible or medicinal and that would be good support species include:

sow thistle (Sonchus sp.)
milk thistle (Sylbum sp.)
European thistle (Cirsium sp.)
cheeseweed (Malva sp.)
fat hen or lambs quarters (Chenopodium sp.)
purslane (Portulaca sp.)
wild radish (Raphanus sp.)
wild mustard (Brassica sp.)
curly dock (Rumex sp.)
dandelion (Taraxacum sp.)
sour grass (Oxalis sp.)
wild oats (Avena sp.)
fennel (Foeniculum sp.)
chicory (Cichorium sp.)

nitro fix:
burr clover (Medicago sp.)
alfalfa (Medicago sp.)
sweet clover (Melilotus sp.)

Grasses are always a challenge as they can outcompete many plants. Crab grass is one that I still have a hard time finding a use for, besides horse pasture. I haven't tried pickling it yet...