• 1. Introduction.- 2. General characteristics of the region.- 3. Abandoned fields in the region.- 3.1 General characteristics.- 3.2 Intensively studied fields.- 3.3 Principal plant species of the studied fields.- 4. Dynamics of populations and communities.- 4.1 Changes in vegetation during succession.- 4.2 Heterotrophic organisms.- 5. Selected ecosystem processes and functions.- 5.1 Microclimate.- 5.2 Water balance.- 5.3 Mineral nutrients.- 5.4 Decomposition and release of nutrients.- 6. Reaction to perturbations.- 6.1 Mowing.- 6.2 Vehicle perturbation.- 6.3 Nutrient additives.- 6.4 Fly ash application.- 6.5 Effect of herbicides.- 7. Synthesis.- 7.1 Vegetational dynamics.- 7.2 Water and nutrient economy.- 7.3 Stability.- 7.4 Abandoned fields in the landscape.- 8. Summary.- References.

'The book is most useful as a reference and guide to all students and research workers on ecology and environment. The text is faultless and remains very useful for a quick study of the summary.' Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 61 (1) Janauary 1991 'It will be Found useful to ecologists as a source material for data, ideas, concepts and modern reference on succession. Printing and get up are excellent.' Phytomorphology 41 1991

• 1. Introduction.- 2. General characteristics of the region.- 3. Abandoned fields in the region.- 3.1 General characteristics.- 3.2 Intensively studied fields.- 3.3 Principal plant species of the studied fields.- 4. Dynamics of populations and communities.- 4.1 Changes in vegetation during succession.- 4.2 Heterotrophic organisms.- 5. Selected ecosystem processes and functions.- 5.1 Microclimate.- 5.2 Water balance.- 5.3 Mineral nutrients.- 5.4 Decomposition and release of nutrients.- 6. Reaction to perturbations.- 6.1 Mowing.- 6.2 Vehicle perturbation.- 6.3 Nutrient additives.- 6.4 Fly ash application.- 6.5 Effect of herbicides.- 7. Synthesis.- 7.1 Vegetational dynamics.- 7.2 Water and nutrient economy.- 7.3 Stability.- 7.4 Abandoned fields in the landscape.- 8. Summary.- References.

'The book is most useful as a reference and guide to all students and research workers on ecology and environment. The text is faultless and remains very useful for a quick study of the summary.' Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 61 (1) Janauary 1991 'It will be Found useful to ecologists as a source material for data, ideas, concepts and modern reference on succession. Printing and get up are excellent.' Phytomorphology 41 1991

• 1. Introduction.- 2. General characteristics of the region.- 3. Abandoned fields in the region.- 3.1 General characteristics.- 3.2 Intensively studied fields.- 3.3 Principal plant species of the studied fields.- 4. Dynamics of populations and communities.- 4.1 Changes in vegetation during succession.- 4.2 Heterotrophic organisms.- 5. Selected ecosystem processes and functions.- 5.1 Microclimate.- 5.2 Water balance.- 5.3 Mineral nutrients.- 5.4 Decomposition and release of nutrients.- 6. Reaction to perturbations.- 6.1 Mowing.- 6.2 Vehicle perturbation.- 6.3 Nutrient additives.- 6.4 Fly ash application.- 6.5 Effect of herbicides.- 7. Synthesis.- 7.1 Vegetational dynamics.- 7.2 Water and nutrient economy.- 7.3 Stability.- 7.4 Abandoned fields in the landscape.- 8. Summary.- References.

'The book is most useful as a reference and guide to all students and research workers on ecology and environment. The text is faultless and remains very useful for a quick study of the summary.' Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 61 (1) Janauary 1991 'It will be Found useful to ecologists as a source material for data, ideas, concepts and modern reference on succession. Printing and get up are excellent.' Phytomorphology 41 1991