Tests the hypothesis that species composition, structure and succession of vegetation was governed by herbivores and that the Central and Western European lowlands were covered in grasslands, scrub, solitary trees and groves surrounded by cover and border vegetation. Comparative information from North America is also included.
The central problem; succession theories; pollen investigation; historical texts; research into spontaneous succession in forest reserves; ecology of tree species in climax vegetation in prehistoric times; synthesis of findings. (Part contents).