Uploaded August 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
An essential part of forest succession is the extensive underground interconnections among the plants. Nearly every species of perennial weed or early-successional tree (I show here goldenrods, plums, persimmons, honey locusts, black locusts, etc.) depend on their underground rhizome connections for their success. Forest succession does not result solely from every plant fighting against and shading out every other plant, but also on cooperation. A plant on its own may not stand a chance.
An essential part of forest succession is the extensive underground interconnections among the plants. Nearly every species of perennial weed or early-successional tree (I show here goldenrods, plums, persimmons, honey locusts, black locusts, etc.) depend on their underground rhizome connections for their success. Forest succession does not result solely from every plant fighting against and shading out every other plant, but also on cooperation. A plant on its own may not stand a chance.
