Question

Imagine that a farm is abandoned and living things are allowed to grow without human intervention. What types of plant communities would you expect to grow in the area, and how would they change?

Answer 1

The process that would occur is called ecological succession. This describes the process of life re-colonising a previously disturbed area. In the beginning, a few hardy and fast-growing pioneering plants, usually weeds, will colonise the area. Subsequently, the community of plants inhabiting the area will become increasingly complex over time until an equilibrium is achieved.