Secondary succession on sandy old-fields in Hungary

摘要: . Development of semi-natural vegetation has recently been a primary concern restoration efforts. A management question is whether active intervention required or spontaneous secondary succession could suffice. We studied 54 old-fields in central Hungary, which differed time since abandonment but had similar environmental conditions and histories. The sites were grouped into four age groups according to the elapsed cultivation abandonment: 1–5, 6–10, 11–23 24–33 yr. In each old-field we recorded species estimated their abundances. two ways: life form (annuals, biennials, perennials, woody plants) coenological behaviour (weeds, sand steppe generalists, specialists). analysed changes number abundance these categories as function site age. Contrary other successional studies, total did not change significantly among groups. significant was detected between first life-form composition. Species annuals decreased, while perennials plants increased. As behaviour, changed only groups, three. Weeds quickly disappeared specialists established spread, generalists significantly. concluded that basic shifts composition are almost completed within 10 Most late colonized weeds disappeared. conclude there no need for this system: leads vegetation.