17. Succession of the Forest
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If you look around this area of the forest you see numerous birch trees decaying on the forest floor. Birch is a relatively short-lived pioneer species.
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Next you see a few large oak trees that probably survived the fires that moved through this area prior to settlement. New oak seedlings are unable to survive due to lack of sunlight.
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Therefore, the oaks are replaced primarily by sugar maple, ironwood, and basswood. Without fire or other disturbances, this forest will turn into a primarily maple/basswood forest.
