Ruderal species typically dominate the disturbed area for a few years, gradually losing the competition to other native species. However, in extreme disturbance circumstances, such as when the natural topsoil is covered with a foreign substance, a single-species ruderal community may become permanently established, as depicted in the image on the right. In addition, some ruderal invasive species may have such a competitive advantage over the natural species that they, too, may permanently prevent a disturbed area from returning to its original state despite natural topsoil.
Features
Features contributing to a species success as ruderal are:
A mixed-species ruderal community on the side of road 40, north of the Yarkon River, Israel, where the natural topsoil was left after the road-building disturbance.
