Plant Strategies in Secondary Successions

Abstract

In general, the participation of life strategies changes markedly with succession, this being in agreement with the theory of plant life strategies (Grime 1979, MacMahon 1980). Grime’s (1979) concept was applied in the classification of species. The features of plants which served as a basis for classification of the particular species according to their respective strategies are listed in Table 5.2. In the process of succession, especially in the initial stage, those species dominate the individuals of which exhibit properties that enable them to gain space and access to water, light and nutrient resources rapidly (strategy C). These species are classified as succession promoters and inhibitors (Table 5.2) such as, for instance, Filipendula ulmaria, Lythrum salicaria, Lysimachia vulgaris, Geum rivale, Potentilla palustris, Carex cespitosa, C. acutiformis and Salix cinerea. They remain dominant for 10–15 years, usually to the time of appearance of willows on the meadow.