grasses and wildflowers have taken over this abandoned field
as tree growth continues, the trees begin to crowd out the grasses and wildflowers
eventually, a forest of mostly oak, hickory, and some pine dominates the landscape
After a few years, pine seedling and others trees replace some of th grasses and wildflowers
The first species to grow are _______ such as mosses and lichens
shortly a _________ there is no soil only ash and rock
As more plants die, they decompose and make the soil more fertile. New plants grow and existing plants mature in the fertile soil
