PLANT SUCCESSION

AND ITS EFFECTSON WILDLIFE

“Nature doesn’t stand still.”

1. Bare Ground

2. Annual forbs and grasses

3. Perennial forbs and grasses4. Shrubs

5. Young woodland or trees

6. Mature woodland or trees

Takes timeWeeks

Months

Years to Decades

Centuries

Constant

Climax Stage

Climax Stage

(wetter regions)

(dryer regions)

Shortgrass Prairie

rolling hills plains

valleys streams

Pond or wetland succession

• Natural

Disturbances

FireTornado, floods, natural disastersIce stormsInsect/Disease outbreakLightning

GrazingControlled burnsPlowing/ chopping/ herbicidetimber harvestwater control

• Man-Induced

Different wildlife species are associated with different stages of succession

Stages 5 and 6

Stages 3 and 4

Stages 3 and 4

Illustration by Dale Crawford

Copyright Wildlife Management Institute 1999

Illustration by Dale Crawford

Copyright Wildlife Management Institute 1999

Vertical Structure(Layering)

1. Bare Ground

2. Annual forbs and grasses

3. Perennial forbs and grasses4. Shrubs

5. Young woodland or trees

6. Mature woodland or trees

Recall stages of succession

Stage 6Mature woodland or trees

Canopy Layer

Shrub Layer

Herbaceous Layer

3 General Layers:

OR

Stage 6Mature woodland or trees

Canopy Layer only

Vertical arrangement is KEY

for wildlife

Wild Turkey

Interspersion(Horizontal

Arrangement)

Refers to arrangement of areas in different successional stages relative to one another (including the layers, or vertical structuring, WITHIN each successional stage)

Interspersion

Many wildlife species require MORE THAN ONE successional stage to supply all requirements or “ingredients” (food, water, cover and space).If this is the case, then

“Valuable” Interspersion would be?

1. Several stages near one another, OR

2. Linked together by a “corridor” of habitat (mainly cover) to allow for safe travel

Goal Here: HIGH interspersion

But, some wildlife species obtain all their requirements from ONE successional stage, if required “ingredients” are present in that stage. (Note: how would this be possible?)

If this is the case, then “Valuable” Interspersion would be?

1. Large area in that successional stage with little variation around it.

Goal Here: LOW interspersion

Usually, however, more interspersion supports a greater variety of wildlife.

High or Low Interspersion?

High or Low Interspersion?HIGH LOW

Quick Tip: Learn the Interspersion Index!

horizontal + vertical

6 + 3 = 9 0 + 0= 0

Edges and Contrast

EDGE

Boundaries where two different successional stages meet.

1. High contrast edge - very narrow and abrupt (stage 6 meets stage 2)

2. Low contrast edge- usually wide, gradual and contains aspects of both successional stages (stage 3 meets stage 4)

LOW

High or Low Contrast Edge? High or Low

Contrast Edge?

HIGH