This work discusses disturbances, discrete events of specific magnitude, which result in local changes in composition, spatial structure, or temporal development of plant communities. The author introduces concepts and emerging issues of disturbance ecology (significance, definition and scaling) and expands this theoretical view with new experimental data obtained from disturbing various successional stages on inland sand dunes in Central Europe. Responses (e.g. changes in nutrient availability and vegetation dynamics) were monitored over a period of three years and are discussed in detail. A concluding chapter (Towards generality in studies of disturbance and ecosystem dynamics) generalizes results, implications for nature conservation and future research. In recognition of this study the author received the 2003 Wiehe award for research in ecology.weiterlesen