Thirty-five years of secondary succession in a Festuca viridula – Lupinus latifolius dominated meadow at Sunrise, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Colonization patterns were investigated in a Festuca viridula – Lupinus latifolius dominated meadow at Sunrise, Mount Rainier National Park. Floristic records of a site profoundly disturbed in 1946 were examined from permanent plots in 1960, 1970, and 1981. Aster alpigenus, Carex spectabilis, Juncus drummondii, and Potentilla flabellifolia, four species relatively uncommon in the surrounding undisturbed meadow, have dominated the disturbed area since 1960. All of these species produce many dispersible seeds. Conversely, Festuca viridula and Lupinus latifolius, dominants in the surrounding meadow, are uncommon in the disturbed area. Poorly dispersed seeds of L. latifolius and extremely low viable seed production and poor seedling survival of Festuca viridula appear to be reasons for their poor colonizing abilities. Average percent similarity of the permanent plots has increased since 1960, indicating a small tendency towards greater homogeneity in the disturbed area. This is illustrated by a detrended correspondence analysis of the permanent-plot data. However, the disturbed area remains distinct after over 35 years of undisturbed existence. The development of a Festuca–Lupinus dominated community in the disturbed area may eventually occur, but the alternative outcome, a permanently deflected succession producing a community dominated by successful colonists, appears more likely.