Mechanisms of Plant Succession on Old Fields of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

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Abstract
The importance of Barbarea vulgaris R. Br., Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. (+ S. faberi Herrm.) and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., the most abundant species in fields the 1st yr after abandonment in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is strongly influenced by the time of year bare soil is present in relation to the time that seeds of these species are capable of germinating. Certain agricultural practices, including the use of herbicides, tend to segregate these species into different fields. Aster pilosus Willd. is the distinct dominant in 2nd yr fields and continues in some importance for 3-4 yr. As A. pilosus decreases in abundance, there is a great increase of Lonicera japonica Thunb., Rubus spp., Rhus typhina L., Prunus serotina Ehrh. and Solidago nemoralis Ait. A. pilosus is largely eliminated in about 4 yr. Abandoned fields and pastures are usually occupied by a closed canopy of hardwood species in less than 20 yr after abandonment.