Ecological succession is the process that happens to an ecosystem after a disturbance. It’s a natural pattern that occurs all over the globe and is seen in every biome. There are two varieties of ecological succession: primary and secondary. Primary succession occurs when new landscapes are created or when a piece of land is exposed for the first time. Some examples of newly formed landscapes are areas exposed by retreating glaciers or new rock formed by volcanic activity.

The first species that pop up in environments are called pioneers. In brand-new landscapes, these pioneers can be as small as tiny lichens, because the environment is new, there might not be enough soil nutrients to support anything larger. As more soil forms and more nutrients are retained in the soil, more complex shrub and tree layers develop. These new plant species, such as woody plants and light-loving pine trees, make up the intermediate levels of succession. When enough soil building has occurred, the climax level of succession is achieved: mature forests can form on the site. 

Secondary succession occurs when intermediary or climax communities are disturbed: forest fires, human construction, and massive floods can all be examples of secondary succession, which restarts the process of ecological succession. This time, though, because soil and nutrients are already present, the succession process starts with grasses and other perennial pioneer species. The narrow-leaf plantain is one such pioneer species.

The Narrow-Leaf Plantain

Narrow-leaf plantain is a small, leafy plant that commonly takes on the role of a pioneer in disturbed landscapes. As a pioneer species, it plays an important part in developing soil and turning landscapes into ecosystems where other species can thrive. It’s tolerant of drought, poor soils, and other conditions that would be harmful to other plants. Its long taproots help break up compacted, rocky soils, aerating and introducing water as it grows; when the plant dies, it decomposes, adding biomass into the soil and introducing nutrients. Its leaves are an important source of minerals, which will eventually become part of the soil beneath it. These minerals will then be taken up by the roots of other plants as the succession process continues.

Ecological Succession at Ocean Hour Farm

Here at Ocean Hour Farm, we have been experimenting with different disturbance techniques in order to study and learn from both traditional indigenous and conventional modern agricultural methods. Within our chestnut tree alleyway plot, the soil was disturbed in two ways: grassy topsoil was turned over in order to form mounds in the traditional indigenous manner, and the conventional row was heavily disturbed using a plow to break the soil up. 

In that disturbed, plowed row, narrow-leaf plantain rapidly colonized the area. The plantain existed as seeds in the soil, which, when the soil was disturbed, were able to proliferate throughout the disturbed site. This pioneer species quickly colonized the row and paved the way for other species to take root as time went on.

When we interact with the environment and learn from the way ecosystems respond to disturbance, we can take the knowledge and implement managed states that benefit both people and the landscape. Utilizing the knowledge of how forests grow to influence and manage ecological succession patterns allows us to grow food in a manner that puts the health of the ecosystem first.

Experimentation on Ocean Hour Farm’s landscape allows us to understand ecological succession and the patterns that form in nature. In turn, we can use this knowledge to work with the land rather than against it. Following the natural progression and patterns of ecological succession is an important part of regenerative agriculture, and our food forest, our farm as a whole, and the environment will all benefit from these practices.