Plant succession in the University of Michigan burn plots in northern lower Michigan.

Abstract

Secondary succession is the progressive replacement of the species in a community after a disturbance has occurred on the community. Seres of succession are determined by the existing vegetation. Three experimental burn plots (1911, 1948, 1980) were sampled on the University of Michigan Biological Station set up to observe secondary succession after clearcutting and burning. Species diversity, richness, composition and abundance of woody and herbaceous species was examined. Significant differences were found in species of woody and herbaceous. Total species diversity in plots was found to be similar. Differences were found among species richness and woody and herbaceous composition among plots. Relative abundance of herbaceous plants decreased as the relative abundance of woody plants increased with time among the plots. From the plant species found the burn plots were determined to be at different seres of secondary succession.