16 - Synthesis

Summary

In this chapter we have three themes. First, we synthesize the disturbance-specific Chapters 5‒15 from Part II, examining general trends in succession among biomes, disturbances, and latitude. We summarize results from the success of succession, successional trajectories, changes in species richness, and participation of invasive alien species (Section 16.2). Second, we highlight recent advances in ecological topics that we suggest will provide a framework for future studies of succession: disturbance, temporal and spatial scales, functional traits, and predictability (Sections 16.3–16.7), we introduced these topics in Chapter 2 and now revisit them in the context of the detailed analyses of succession presented in Part II. Finally, we clarify the immediate practical relevance of successional studies through their close links to conservation and restoration (Sections 16.8 and 16.9). Section 16.9 includes subsections on stress-productivity gradients, the importance of early successional stages, and landscape and global contexts. We emphasize the reciprocal information flow between succession and conservation and restoration that will be needed to address the rapid changes occurring in our world.