Barrons AP Environmental Science

Figure 4.33 Stages of succession in a temperate deciduous forest. The
time span from annual plants to hardwood trees is over 100 years The
following table lists the characteristics of succession within plant
communities:

Characteristics of  Succession—Plant    Communities

Characteristic Early    Successional    Stage Late  Successional    Stage

Biomass Limited. High   in  tropics and

wetlands;   limited in

deserts.

Consumption of  soil

nutrients

Nutrients   are quickly

absorbed    by  simpler

plants.

Since   biomass is

greater and more

nutrients   are

contained   within  plant

structures, nutrient

cycling between the

plant   and soil    tends   to

be  slower.

Impact  of

macroenvironment

Early   plants  depend

primarily   on

conditions  created by

These   plant   species

appear  only    after

pioneer plant