Plant succession refers to the natural orderly changes in plant and animal communities over time. If undisturbed, an open field may become a forest over 150-300 years. However, factors like soil, climate, topography, and natural or human disturbances can affect succession patterns. Succession progresses through stages from herbs to shrubs to young forest to mature forest and finally climax forest. Primary succession occurs on undeveloped land while secondary succession occurs on previously vegetated land disturbed by events like fires or logging.

1. Plant succession

4. The Stages