Emphasises the large amplitude of late successional species which, otherwise, are recognized for having restricted distributions. Many species distributions, particularly for Acer saccharum and Tsuga canadensis, are superimposed in the mesic zone of the drainage continuum. Early successional species do not show clear discriminating patterns along environmental gradients. Many successional
... [Show full abstract] pathways, related to the disturbance intensity and to local regeneration availability, were observed. Succession proceeds faster when late successional species can easily reinvade the site following perturbations. The general dynamic observed represents a gradual replacement of a natural system, controlled by species adaptation to environmental gradient, by a system controlled by anthropic disturbances. -from English summary
