Chapter 21: Synthesis, Ecological Relationships, Processes, and Models for the Everglades

succession

process of changing on plant community to another by environment circumstances

pineland → tropical hardwood hammock without fire

plant community succession

8 natural stressors change peatland plant communities

surface fire, soil fire, water flow, alligator activity, soil accretion, soil flotation, nutrient loading, other bayhead formative processes

what is primary succession

the beginning step of ecological succession after an extreme disturbance, which usually occurs in an environment devoid of vegetation and other organisms

secondary succession

when a climax community or intermediate community is impacted by a disturbance. This restarts the cycle of succession, but not back to the beginning—soil and nutrients are still present.

tertiary succession

a concept differentiating restoration activities from natural processes. Tertiary succession should change manager's expectations of restorations' progress.