Alpine restoration: planting and seeding of native species facilitate vegetation recovery

Abstract

Vegetation recovery in severely disturbed alpine ecosystems can be accelerated through active restoration measures. This study evaluated the short‐term effects of two restoration treatments, planting of propagated native Salix (willow) shrubs in three different densities (1, 2.5, and 4 plants/m2) and seeding of the native grass Festuca ovina (sheep fescue), in a disturbed alpine heathland. We evaluated natural vegetation recovery (i.e. vegetation cover, vascular plant species richness, and Salix recruitment) in permanent plots, 5 years after the implementation of restoration measures. The results showed that both treatments had positive but different effects on vegetation recovery; Salix plantings (with densities ≥2.5 plants/m2) increased vascular plant species richness and recruitment of Salix seedlings, whereas seeding of F. ovina increased bottom and field layer cover. Our results also show the importance of soil conditions for vegetation recovery, as moister plots with a higher percentage of fine soil substrate had a higher vegetation cover and vascular plant species richness. This study shows that different restoration treatments can work complementary and also highlights the importance of considering different indicators of vegetation recovery when evaluating the effectiveness of restoration measures.

Dynamic monitoring of vegetation restoration in coal mining subsidence area: a case in Jiawang District, Xuzhou City

“…(3) For some non-residential areas where vegetation cover is still low, disturbing activities should be gradually stopped, firstly improving soil conditions through fly ash filling and other means, and then the damaged vegetation can be replanted through natural soil seed bank and natural regeneration of native plants on the one hand, and introducing new native species in combination with human intervention on the other hand, in order to accelerate ecological recovery of the damaged land [36] . Due to the characteristics of purposeful, fast and efficient artificial restoration [37] , this approach should be mainly adopted in the practice of vegetation restoration in coal mining collapsed land.…”

Success in restoring native plant communities on kimberlite mining dumps in the Afro‐alpine Drakensberg region of Lesotho

“…The use of native grass species during restoration improves vegetation cover and the recovery of other native species in alpine environments (Rydgren et al, 2017;Vloon et al, 2022).…”

Changes in functional traits and diversity of typical alpine grasslands after a short-term trampling disturbance

“…The negative impacts of trampling disturbance on alpine grasslands often occur in a short time frame, but the recovery of vegetation after disturbance can take a long time due to the harsh environmental conditions, short growing seasons, and slow rate of biological processes that characterize these high-altitude areas (Willard et al, 2007;Vloon et al, 2022). Therefore, we need to adopt an active protection and management approach, because preventive measures to avoid or mitigate the negative impacts of tourism-related disturbance on alpine vegetation are far more effective than ecological restoration that aims to assist the recovery of alpine ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.…”