Natural Succession Areas

Both demonstration plots and large areas can be disturbed and left to be re-colonized by surrounding species to show which kinds take hold first. This is a dynamic way to examine why wind borne seed species are the first to colonize an area, to be followed by slower species relying on animal ingestion, body adhesion, and gravity. The interplay of soil shading, changing Ph. modes or reproduction, and minimum annual precipitation in determining the climax community of a disturbed area are also illustrated here. Since the process requires a period of years, teachers should periodically photograph the site from a standard position and record changes.

Return to Table of Contents
Next Section