Includes bibliographical references and index.

Goals, concepts and definitions -- History and context of the Buell-Small succession study -- Succession theory -- Conceptual frameworks and integration: drivers and theory -- Community patterns and dynamics -- Dynamics of populations through succession -- Impacts of drought and other disturbances on succession -- Dynamics of diversity -- Convergence and community assembly -- Successional equivalence of native and non-native species -- Heterogeneity in dynamic systems -- The functional ecology of community dynamics -- Succession, habitat management and restoration -- Where we stand: lessons and opportunities.