A grassy meadow borders a beech-maple forest. Is one of these ecosystems undergoing succession? Why?

1 Answer
Oct 11, 2017

Both may, in fact be undergoing succession.

Explanation:

Generally, a succession would be the overtaking of grasslands by forests. Within the forest the maple may be replacing the beech as well.
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In a mature deciduous forest dominated by maple and basswood trees, fire can provide a dramatic example of succession. Following a fire disturbance, the charred land is friendly terrain for some species and hostile to others.

Grasses and other nonwoody plants are first to pioneer the newly disturbed area. These are soon followed by bushes such as raspberry. Species that do well in full sun, such as boxelder, ash, and cherry, are the first trees to recolonize the area. As these trees mature they shade the forest floor, making it difficult for their own young to grow.

Shade-loving species such as maple and basswood find themselves at a competitive advantage, and the species composition of the forest slowly shifts. Over time, the older sun-loving trees die out and the shade-tolerant species take over. The process may take hundreds of years, but left undisturbed, this forest will evolve into a plant community dominated once again by maple and basswood.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/biomes/succession.html