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The strategies of ecological succession: theoretical insights from experimentally disturbed ecosystems

Abstract:

Succession is the strategy by which ecosystems reach a steady state. Adaptation of systems is lost following the action of external forces (disturbances) after which secondary succession occurs. Only two general patterns of change in ecosystems can be proven to be successional: divergence from, or convergence to, the original state. These types of successional patterns were detected using field experiments involving grasslands in different physical environments. Three types of disturbance were considered, and the ensuing patterns were monitoring over a four year period. Two successional strategies were recognized and changes in several selected characteristics were shown. It is argued that biomass turnover rate can be expected to increase or decrease during divergence, but no variation can be predicted after a process of convergence. -from Authors