Plant Succession and Soil Development in Coastal Sand Dunes of Subtropical Eastern Australia

Abstract

Progressive plant succession to a climax has developed as a central ecological concept (Cowles 1899; Clements 1916), and forms an important basis for predicting changes (over moderate time scales) in primary and secondary plant succession. Although the concept of progressive succession leading to a stable, self-perpetuating climax has been questioned (Whittaker 1953, 1974), the climax concept has guided much of our thinking in the management of indigenous forests and in the prediction of forest development following various forms of disturbance in different environments.