EN
As a pioneer species of R life strategy Salix acutifolia is an early coloniser, promoting the formation of soil in sandy areas. Initially, the area around the base of S. acutifolia is colonised by cryptogams. Then, soil formation takes place as S. acutifolia grows and the canopy develops. As a broadleaved species, S. acutifolia produces a lot of biomass. Good habitat conditions are created for the development of microorganisms accelerating the process of leaf decomposition and humus formation. This encourages the subsequent entry and growth of vascular herbs under the canopy of S. acutifolia, which hasten the process of soil and plant succession. After 5 years, a large number of Pinus sylvestris seedlings develop under the S. acutifolia canopy. P. sylvestris outcompetes S. acutifolia for nutrients and eventually eliminates S. acutifolia from the site by contributing to soil acidification. P. sylvestris then becomes the dominant influence on the physico-chemical properties of the soil.