The theory of maximum power suggests that systems organize based on
efficiency and speed of energy use (Odum and others 1997). The maximum power
principle is a basis for the control of self-organization and implies that the combination of
components that contribute most to the total structure of their ecosystem prevail due to
internal feedbacks (Odum 1994). Additionally, efficient systems add to the larger scale
systems to which they belong (Odum and others 1997). In order for a system to follow
the maximum power principle, it must develop mechanisms that build structure to capture
the largest amount of energy possible (Richardson 1988). In essence, the theory of
maximum power supports survival of those groups of components that contribute the
most to the ecosystem (Odum and Odum 1996), and system designs succeed that
capitalize on resource use, productivity, and feedback (Odum 1971; Odum 1994; and
Odum and Pinkerton 1955).

 Odum (1994) defined succession as the use of available resources (such as
sunlight, rainfall, nutrients, etc.) in the self-organizational progression by which
ecosystems become established, develop structure and processes, and sometimes
retrogress. Self-organization involves the cooperation among various parts of a system
succeeding due to the positive returns for their actions (Odum and others 1997). Rushton
(1983) hypothesized that through self-organization, natural systems are able to adjust to
changing situations.

 During periods of early succession, gross production is insignificant, as a
sufficient nutrient/mineral cycle has yet developed. The initial storage levels within a
system drive early successional trends. An increase in biomass is one of the effects of net
production early in succession. There is also a net accumulation of organic matter in the
early phase of ecosystem succession (Odum and others 1997).

 Odum (1994) suggests the most important measures of succession may not be net
production or biomass, but rather gross production and total respiratory metabolism. The
species most adapted to these early successional stages are those that grow rapidly,
actually over-growing other species, cover more surface area, and occur in systems with
low species diversity (Odum and others 1997). These early successional species are also
called pioneer species or colonizers, but may also be identified as weeds. Pioneer species
have frequently low-grade, temporary, and wasteful structures that permit extraordinary
growth rates, but do not use growth energies for structure development. As long as
available resources are prevalent, early successional species will prevail (Odum and
others 1997).

 In reclaimed forested wetland systems, successional theory might define
herbaceous vines as early successional species, rapidly creating organic matter and
available nutrients that help prepare the ecosystem for the later successional species.
Odum (1994) suggests that in ecological succession, the smallest components with rapid
turnover times evolve, or that species replace each other through successional time. In
other words, herbaceous vines have faster turnover times than species allocating more
resources to woody, permanent structure. A shift from herbaceous vines (with
predominantly leaf structure) to woody vine species (which allocate some resources to