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Succession: A Population Process

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Succession

Part of the book series: Advances in vegetation science ((AIVS,volume 3))

Abstract

For over 80 years succession theory has played a central role in plant ecology, providing both a predictive tool and organizational scheme. Drawing on this long history of research and observation, Margalef (1968), Odum (1969), Whittaker (1975) and others have identified general trends in community development. Their synthetic treatments have helped focus the efforts of subsequent workers examining the empirical and experimental basis of succession theory (e.g. Connell & Slatyer 1977, Drury & Nisbet 1973, Egler 1975, Horn 1974, Pickett 1976, van Hulst 1978). This more recent work suggests that the classical succession paradigm is seriously flawed and that many long held concepts need to be reexamined.

This research was supported by National Science Foundation grants DEB-7708743 and DEB-7804043 to R.K.P. and DEB-7707532 and DEB-7804041 to N.L.C.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, USA

    Robert K. Peet

  2. Department of Botany, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27706, USA

    Norman L. Christensen

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  1. Robert K. Peet
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  2. Norman L. Christensen
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Eddy van der Maarel

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© 1980 Dr. W. Junk bv Publishers, The Hague

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Peet, R.K., Christensen, N.L. (1980). Succession: A Population Process. In: van der Maarel, E. (eds) Succession. Advances in vegetation science, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9200-9_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9200-9_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-9202-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-9200-9

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