Disturbed Areas
Disturbed communities are highly variable, but most have in
common, a dominance by exotic plant species. I include here
such landscape elements as agricultural fields, clearcut
forestlands, lawns, vacant lots, most roadsides, and any
other areas subjected to frequent impact by humans. Such
areas are often held in a pioneer stage of succession due
to effects of human intervention. They are characterized by
the proliferation of weedy annuals and weakly perennial
species. The species composition varies with soil type,
topography, local weather patterns and moisture, and type
of disturbance.
Common woody species associated with disturbed areas
include: Melia
azedarach (Chinaberry, a hardy
mahoghany), camphortree (coastal), tung tree (coastal &
near coastal), mimosa (Albizzia
julibrissin), Paper
Mulberry, Popcorn Tree or Chinese Tallow Tree, Japanese
Honeysuckle (Lonicera
japonica), Chinese Privet , Japanese
Privet, Sesbania
spp. Herbaceous
species that proliferate in disturbed places include: Cogon
grass, Johnson grass (Sorghum
halapense), Kudzu, Bermudagrass,
Sesbania spp.