Premium
Using a two‐phase sowing approach in restoration: sowing foundation species to restore, and subordinate species to evaluate restoration success
Author(s) -
CoiffaitGombault Clémentine,
Buisson Elise,
Dutoit Thierry
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
applied vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.096
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1654-109X
pISSN - 1402-2001
DOI - 10.1111/j.1654-109x.2012.01182.x
Subject(s) - grassland , sowing , restoration ecology , arable land , grazing , biology , foundation species , ecology , agroforestry , perennial plant , trifolium subterraneum , biodiversity , ecosystem , agronomy , agriculture , pasture
Questions Is it possible to restore a target herbaceous plant community on ex‐arable land by sowing foundation species? What is the impact of sheep grazing on the restoration of this ecosystem? How can we rapidly evaluate the success of restoration methods? Location Nature reserve of the plain of L a C rau, southeast F rance (43° 31′ N, 4° 50′ E) Methods In an ex‐arable field, we sowed an indigenous species mix in 2007. This was composed of two perennial species dominant in the reference grassland ecosystem ( B rachypodium retusum, T hymus vulgaris ) and one annual species ( T rifolium subterraneum ) also found on the reference grassland and which is well‐known for its ability to quickly cover bare soil. These three species are called foundation species as they play an essential role in structuring the restored ecosystem community. To investigate the significances of the foundation species on community dynamics, four subordinate species were sown 1 yr later: T aeniatherum caput‐medusae, L inum strictum, E vax pygmaea and A sphodelus ayardii . The subordinate species are typical plants of the reference grassland which describe well this vegetation type. Results Sowing foundation species was an effective means of reintroducing them. Their presence in the ex‐arable field very rapidly promoted establishment of grassland species and impeded establishment of weeds. When grazing was excluded, the foundation species covered the ground, particularly with T rifolium subterraneum , which reached 54% ground cover. Subordinate species established better on the foundation species sown treatment and on the grazed treatment. Conclusion In the short term, sowing indigenous foundation species and maintaining grazing seems to be a good method to restore grassland plant communities that have a poor ability to re‐establish spontaneously. This study also demonstrates that sowing and monitoring of subordinate species is an effective method to rapidly test whether a particular restoration protocol will have a positive effect on community assembly and development.