Theory 44/Forest succession/Progression phase
Rate Is Colonisation Against Competition
The claim
Successional rate is set by the ratio of colonisation to competitive exclusion, so a fast-colonising but poor competitor maintains early dominance.
01Mechanism
Later species must arrive and then outcompete; the ratio determines the pace.
02Prediction
Rate should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Rate tracking dispersal alone would remove competition.