Modelling vegetation succession in post-industrial ecosystems using vegetation classification in aerial photographs, Buffalo, New York

•Post-industrial ecosystems (PIEs) are a unique system in which to study succession.•PIEs in this study proceeded from bare ground to herbaceous cover then woody cover.•Within the general pattern of succession, there was variability between PIEs.•The succession of vegetation structure was similar in PIEs and old-fields.•Repeat aerial photo analysis within a chronosequence is a novel way to study succession.