Early Successional Habitat

This portion of the old farm is planned to be managed as early successional habitat. Native grasses and shrubs have been planted to provide food and ground cover, creating excellent habitat for smaller animals like mice, voles, and rabbits. This, in turn, provides a prey base for animals such as hawks and foxes. At each stage of succession, the plant community alters the soil and microclimate, facilitating the establishment of the next group of plant species. The term for the process is “natural succession.” Continual disturbances will be required to maintain the site as an early successional habitat.