Ecological succession revisited from a temporal beta-diversity perspective

Abstract

Ecological succession, the re-assembly of communities after disturbances, is a classical topic in ecology and has gained renewed attention due to anthropogenic impacts. Previous studies suggest that compositional shifts decrease in later successional stages, potentially linked to species life history and longevity. However, the lack of suitable analytical methods has impeded the ability to obtain clear empirical evidence and quantify the demographic processes contributing to these shifts. In this study, we examined ecological succession through temporal beta diversity patterns using both conventional Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and recently developed individual-based indices. We analysed long-term forest inventory data from permanent plots in cool temperate forests along a secondary successional chronosequence, spanning 17–106 years post-clear-cutting. Our findings reveal detailed temporal beta-diversity patterns based on stem number and basal area over a century. We link compositional shifts to demographic processes such as recruitment, growth, and mortality, providing a clearer understanding of succession dynamics. This study highlights the importance of long-term data and advanced analytical approaches in uncovering the demographic drivers of community composition changes during succession. Future research applying similar methods across various ecosystems will enhance our understanding of biodiversity changes over time and their connections to anthropogenic disturbances.