Transition matrix models are a valuable tool for describing community succession. We use "succession" to refer to changes in community composition over time. Transition matrix models describe dynamics of succession well. Furthermore, several features of succession dynamics can be quantified using these models.

We measured community properties of succession in rocky intertidal sessile assemblages. Transition matrices are constructed based on a long-term (2002-7) study at Donan region of the Pacific coast of Japan.

Successional properties are determined via the following steps. First, field censuses were done at five shores at intervals of one year; multiple fixed points were placed on the rock and the species present at each point was recorded. After that, species present each point were compared with the species present at the following census, transition probabilities between each species pair was calculated, and then a transition probability matrix was obtained. Finally, successional properties such as disturbance rate, colonization rate, replacement rate, predictability of succession, turnover rate and time, and dumping ratio of convergence were determined.

In this presentation, we outline the feature of the properties of succession dynamics in this habitat. Additionally, we will discuss the traits of succession in relation to environmental aspects.