The forgotten stage of forest succession: early‐successional ecosystems on forest sites

Early‐successional forest ecosystems that develop after stand‐replacing or partial disturbances are diverse in species, processes, and structure. Post‐disturbance ecosystems are also often rich in biological legacies, including surviving organisms and organically derived structures, such as woody debris. These legacies and post‐disturbance plant communities provide resources that attract and sustain high species diversity, including numerous early‐successional obligates, such as certain woodpeckers and arthropods. Early succession is the only period when tree canopies do not dominate the forest site, and so this stage can be characterized by high productivity of plant species (including herbs and shrubs),…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• WF
  Wilburforce Foundation
• JF
  Joint Fire Science Program
• JA
  Johnson and Johnson
• UF
  U.S. Forest Service