By mid-summer the slopes and ridges near the volcano abound with the flaming pink flowers that appear in clusters along a stem. As the plants die back in the fall their leaves and stems collect on the ash providing organic matter for the creation of new soil. Over the last 17 years scientists have developed some interesting theories about how ecosystems respond to large-scale disturbance. Animals are selecting and colonizing areas on the basis of habitat characteristics and, in turn, helping to shape habitat structure and composition. A comparatively simple system like Mount St. Helens offers a great opportunity to investigate developing habitat relationships.
Plants representing all major stages of forest development appear to be establishing simultaneously.
Classic theory, based upon studies of abandoned fields and formerly glaciated terrain, does no appear to apply at Mount St. Helens.