Modelling vegetation succession in post-industrial ecosystems using vegetation classification in aerial photographs, Buffalo, New York: Fid-Bau Portal

Modelling vegetation succession in post-industrial ecosystems using vegetation classification in aerial photographs, Buffalo, New York

Spiering, David J. / Larsen, Chris P.S. / Potts, Daniel L.

Abstract

Highlights • Post-industrial ecosystems (PIEs) are a unique system in which to study succession. • PIEs in this study proceeded from bare ground to herbaceous cover then woody cover. • Within the general pattern of succession, there was variability between PIEs. • The succession of vegetation structure was similar in PIEs and old-fields. • Repeat aerial photo analysis within a chronosequence is a novel way to study succession.

Abstract Post-industrial ecosystems (PIEs) occur where organisms unintentionally establish communities, and are common in regions that contain former industrial areas. There is less published research on PIEs than other ecosystems such as old-fields (i.e. abandoned agriculture lands). Old-fields have been well studied and provided a body of research with which to compare succession in PIEs. We examined the patterns and rates of succession in PIEs using a novel combination of aerial photo interpretations of 3 to 12 year time series of photos within a 45 year chronosequence from 20 PIE sites in and around Buffalo, New York. From these data, we constructed an age-dependent state-transition model of PIE succession. The general successional pattern of vegetation structure in the projected state matrices from this model was a decrease in bare ground associated with a rapid increase in herbaceous vegetation cover followed by a steady increase in woody plant cover. Within this general pattern, there was variability in percent cover of vegetation structural classes between PIE sites of similar age. There was also an overall slowing in the rate of successional change in PIEs. The pattern of succession in vegetation structure from bare ground to herbaceous cover to woody cover, the rapid establishment of vegetation following abandonment and a slowing in the rate vegetation change over time all agree with results reported in the old-field literature. These results provide a better understanding of these little-studied ecosystems and this new methodology can be applied for management of PIEs.