Whenever a disturbance violates an established ecosystem, aggressive and invasive weeds take over and spread quickly, establishing temporary primacy. These opportunitic species are suited to what are sometimes called "immature" systems. The plants compete for sunlight in order to capture the maximum available energy while trying to cover the raw earth as quickly as possible.
In such a system, energy is wasted, diversity is minimal, and the plants are generally of lower quality and usefulness. Their life cycles are short; while their output is prodigious, their use of resources is not very efficient.
The Ecology of Commerce
Paul Hawken
An ecosystem evolves from pioneering, immature states that emphasize growth, until it evolves into mature systems that are highly efficient and resource-conserving. Mature, climax systems comprise an association of organisms that reach a state of equilibrium which leaves the habitat largely unchanged from year to year.
Because no environment remains unchanged, even climax communities do not last forever, but they are more resilient to disturbances in the greater environment.
The Ecology of Commerce
Paul Hawken
In such a system, energy is wasted, diversity is minimal, and the plants are generally of lower quality and usefulness. Their life cycles are short; while their output is prodigious, their use of resources is not very efficient.