Final answer:
Forest succession involves the ecological progression of a tree stand from a single-species dominance, like pines, to a diverse community, eventually reaching a climax community. Invasions by pine species can also transform environments substantially. Climate change may alter native species' prevalence, like pine bark beetles, affecting forest health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Forest Succession
When observing a stand of trees that once consisted entirely of pines, one may note ecological changes that represent a process called forest succession. Over time, various factors, including secondary succession after disturbances such as forest fires or human activities, lead to a diverse set of species occupying the forest. Initially, following a disturbance, pioneer species such as grasses may establish themselves, eventually giving way to intermediate species like shrubs and small pines, oaks, and hickory trees. As centuries pass, these stands of trees undergo further changes until they reach a climax community, which is a stable, mature ecological stage with a balanced species composition. This climax community remains until the next significant disturbance.
Pine invasions can also alter ecosystems significantly by changing shrublands and grasslands into forests, affecting native species and even bird communities. Movements of biomes due to climate change can further shift the balance, with native pine bark beetles proliferating due to milder winters, leading to significant tree mortality and creating forest management challenges.