The Shingle Succession at Dungeness

Abstract

The succession of vegetation on the apposition shingle beach of Dungeness is described qualitatively. There seems to be a complete autogenic xerosere in which broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) plays the most important part. The stages from the initial broom colonization, through the growth of accessory species and the establishment of Ulex and then Sambucus scurb, to the development of climax Ilex wood, are basically dependent on the accumulation in the soil of humus from dead plant remains. A comparison is made with a river shingle succession described from New Zealand.