Succession on stable surfaces

A major difference between shingle foreshores and the larger, more terrestrial formations is that the latter do not have the advantage of external inputs of organic matter through tidal drift. Small quantities of nutritive material will be blown into these habitats by wind but most organic matter will be produced over long periods in situ, by the plants themselves. This hypothesis was first tested (Scott 1963) who later produced a tentative successional sequence based on Dungeness foreland (Scott 1965). Nine stages were recognised in an autogenic sere, ranging from bare shingle to climax woodland see the Figure below.

Caption: 'Broom cycle' at Dungeness leading to a 'supposed' holly wood climax (after Scott 1965)

A small-scale patterning of vegetation confined to the 'fulls' of shingle ridges, which support patches of dry, acid heath was also recognised (Scott 1965) . Scott noted a tendency for younger stages of succession to occur nearer the sea on more recently deposited shingle and older stages to landward, reflecting the known geomorphic sequence. Scott links the successional sequence to increasing humus within the shingle matrix, resulting from the dominant role of Cytisus scoparius, leading eventually to Ilex aquifolium woodland regarded as the climax. [Teucrium scorodonia is also important as a producer of woody humus.]

References

Scott, G.A.M. 1963. The ecology of shingle beach plants. Journal of Ecology, 51., 517-527.

Scott, G.A.M. 1965. The shingle vegetation of Dungeness. Journal of Ecology, 53., 21-31.