You will disturbs dormant seeds and break the mycorrhizal connections. Most of the perennials, shrubs and trees in this group tolerate or require surface mulch. This group needs occasional maintenance to clean out dead foliage and tidy up. If moved to another climate where the stress is removed, stress avoiders can become weeds. Calif. Poppy, Iri, Chrysanthemum, Liquid ambar, Roses.
Some plants just like to grow and show.
This group includes weeds, exotics and most hybridized garden flowers. They can out compete all their neighbors if there is regular water and applications of fertilizer. Reproduction is their key weapon. They are the first to flower and the first to seed. They proliferate if the soil has been altered in some way that disrupts the natural community.