Comparison of old‐field and forest revegetation dynamics in Provence

Abstract. This paper describes vegetation changes on cultivation terraces after abandonment, considered as secondary succession, and vegetation responses after clear‐cutting, considered as regeneration. Species were grouped in life form and dynamic categories in order to infer dynamic patterns. By applying the Shannon diversity index to these characteristics, an index of functional diversity is obtained. Regenerative succession is considered here as a particular case of secondary succession, characterized by a fast vegetative regeneration of the dominant woody species, which controls the succession of the understorey species. Post‐agricultural succession and forest regeneration succession show a similar relation between the diversity index and a forest index, indicating the relative amount of forest species. It appeared that the old‐field dynamics resemble the deciduous oak‐forest regeneration after the woody species have established. The species diversity at the end of the post‐agricultural succession and in the forest is controlled by the nature of the dominant tree species.