Plant Succession on the Sand Dunes of the Monterey Peninsula, California

Abstract
The sequence of successional stages occurring on the sand dunes along the W edge of the Monterey Peninsula [USA] was inferred through an evaluation of total plant cover, plant height, cover of dominant plant species and the age structure of stands when trees were present. The degree of soil development was determined beneath each successional stage by measurement of particle size distribution, organic C, water-holding capacity, cation exchange capacity and pH. The sequence identified was supported by the soil analyses which deomonstrated a close correlation between plant succession and soil development.