The present study was set up in order to investigate mechanisms of succession, meaning the explanation of species dynamics from the underlying process( e.g. colonization, nutrient dynamics, resource competition, vegetation structure). We investigated species dynamics during succession, quantified the compartmentation of nutrients, and measured N mineralization. Differences between speciesin growth and allocation characteristics were investigated in greenhouse experiments. Nutrient addition experiments in the field were performed in order to assess which nutrients limit productivity, and to see if different species were limited by different nutrients. ... Zie: Summary