Alternative stable states in a wet calcareous dune slack in The Netherlands

摘要

Evidence is presented for the occurrence of alternative stable states in a wet calcareous dune slack on the Frisian island of Texel, The Netherlands. An early pioneer stage (0.5 ka m(-2) total standing crop) and a more productive later successional stage (2.9 kg m(-2)) occur side by side, with sharp boundaries between them. The pioneer vegetation has been recorded at the site for more than 62 yr. These features indicate the occurrence of a positive-feedback mechanism that has led to alternative stable states.