Ecological status of naturalized plants in early stages of plant succession on different soils

Abstract

Structural and compositional succession patterns of plant communities from bare ground were studied on three soil types, i.e. sandy, loamy, and Ando soils. In addition, the ecological status of naturalized plants was examined in relation to both succession and soil conditions. Differences in structure and composition of plant communities among soil types were small in the earliest (1st year) stage. However, they became larger with advancing succession. Naturalized plants mostly dominated in the succession stages on sandy soil. In the following (2-4th year) stages of succession, naturalized plants were dominant on all soil types; however, they were replaced by native plants in the later stages. The results suggested that naturalized plants were overwhelming in the stages where indigenous plants were still vulnerable, particularly on open and sandy soil that resembles their hometown habitats. Therefore, the establishment of native plants seems to be delayed in the succession.