Hamilton, D. B. 1984. Plant succession and the influence of disturbance in Okefenokee Swamp. Pages 86-111 in A. D. Cohen, D. J. Casagrande, M. J. Andrejko, and G. R. Best, eds. Plant succession and the influence of logging and periodic fires were studied using field surveys and aerial photography. The general pattern of succession is from prairie to cypress swamp with eventual transition to either climax mixed swamp tupelo or bay swamp in the absence of disturbance.
Periodic fires tend to maintain existing vegetation and generally prevent successional transition.
Although even severe peat burns are restored to approximate prefire floristic composition through secondary succession, it is unlikely that areas logged for cypress can return to prelogging floristic composition. Diagrams of plant successional pathways and a vegetation map of the Okefenokee Swamp are provided.