BIOLOGICAL FACTORS 



189 



other agents, usually results in failure because the plant cannot 

 meet the competition of the normal species, which are adapted to 

 each other and their environment. However, an occasional species 

 reverses the rule, establishes itself as a part of the community, and 

 often produces community changes. Japanese honeysuckle was 

 introduced in the southeastern states manv years ago and has 



FlG. 87. Japanese honeysuckle in bottomland hardwood forest. When the 

 vine is as dense as this, few tree seedlings come up through it. If they do, 

 they are soon pulled over and the honeysuckle forms mounds upon them, as 

 at the left.— Photo by L. E. Anderson. 



spread widely. In lowland woods particularly, it sprawls over all 

 the low vegetation and climbs well up into the trees. Under favor- 

 able conditions, it almost excludes low herbs and shrubs. When a 

 tree seedling grows through it, the vine climbs upon it and bends 

 down the slender stem, which, under the mass of honeysuckle, 

 soon dies. Such lowland stands frequently have practically no tree 

 reproduction beneath them. It is a matter of ecological interest as 

 to how the natural development of these stands will progress. An 

 economic aspect must be considered by the forester who is inter- 

 ested in regeneration of trees or planting these areas after cutting, 



