The modified primary succession following sand mining: A validation of the use of chronosequence analysis

Abstract Changes in small mammal succession along a forested coastal dune system in the Myall Lakes‐National Park, New South Wales, during 15 years of regeneration after sand mining, were determined by surveys in 1982 and 1987. The results clearly demonstrate a wave of succession moving along the mining path, and confirm that over the intervening 5 year period to 1987, small mammal succession has followed a path indicated by that of the 1982 chronosequence. The house mouse, Mus musculus quickly recolonizes disturbed areas, and peak abundance occurred on plots with a regeneration age of 3.7 years in 1982 and 3.4 years in 1987 (i.e. the 3.0–4.5 age class). Colonization by the New Holland mouse. Pseudomys novaehollandiae was first recorded on plots with 4.6 years regeneration in 1982 and 5.4 years in 1987. Peak Pseudomys numbers occurred on plots in the 7.5–9.0 age class in both 1982 and 1987. The common dunnart, Sminthopsis murina appears to be the third species to enter the succession. This modified primary succession closely resembles the mammalian secondary succession following fire where additional evidence suggests that the use of chronosequence analysis may also be appropriate.