softwood understorey, favor greater biomass in hardwood and mixedwood stands. Nutrient availability and pH decrease over succession conditions which may be responsible for the decrease in productivity. Although gaps created by budworm outbreaks favor putting nitrogen back in circulation, other elements such as phosphorus continue to decrease with time
Richness and diversity of vascular plants diminish through succession, reaching a minimal level in softwood stands in which understoreys are dominated by a few shade-tolerant species such as Taxus canadensis and Acer spicatum