Defining a Target Map of Native Species Assemblages for Restoration

Abstract

Vegetation restoration is usually based on predefined species assemblages from large-scale maps of potential vegetation. However, most restoration plans apply to smaller spatial scales, so a homogeneous species assemblage is usually assigned to the target site. We propose defining species assemblages for restoration by modeling the distribution of individual target species. The example presented here is about postfire restoration, but it can be used in other types of disturbed areas. We surveyed 212 plots in well-preserved vegetation around the burned area to obtain a list of target species and physical parameters of the plots. The burned area was divided in a grid of 723 squares, 1 ha each, and then characterized according to the same physical parameters. From these data, we modeled the distribution of 23 target species. A target map of predicted species assemblages was built combining species maps. This map largely resembles the native vegetation in terms of species richness per plot, environmental gradients in a-diversity, spatial variation in b-diversity, and frequency of species occurrence. Comparison between the target map and the current vegetation (recovery status) indicated that, on average, only half of the potential set of species is already present in each plot. Analysis of the recovery status suggested that both rock outcrops and areas at lower altitude, with gentle slope and deeper soil, recover faster. This illustrates the utility of target maps to outline plots in more need of restoration.

Does succession run towards potential natural vegetation? An analysis across seres

“…In our case, it appeared that potential natural vegetation could be used as an effective tool for predicting general trends of succession (see also Siles et al. ; Somodi et al. ).…”

“…We can, however, reasonably expect the changes to be much smaller than the differences between seral and potential vegetation. In our case, it appeared that potential natural vegetation could be used as an effective tool for predicting general trends of succession (see also Siles et al 2010;Somodi et al 2012). We do not claim all the successions studied definitely approach potential vegetation or that the process is linear over the course of succession.…”

Biological Flora of the British Isles:Sorbus torminalis

“…Siles et al . () modelled the recovery of vegetation after a fire in Pinus nigra , Quercus ilex and Q. faginea forest in south‐east Spain and found that the presence of S. torminalis was associated with a southerly aspect, shallow soils and a high rock cover (as were other species tolerant of dry conditions), although altitude and slope were not important. Slope angle only seems to become important on the wettest soils when S. torminalis is restricted to the drier, steeper slopes (Wohlgemuth ).…”

“…The requirement for warm and dry conditions tends to restrict S. torminalis to south-facing slopes, particularly at the northern and eastern edge of its range (Dinca 2000) although towards the south edge of its range, it occurs primarily on cooler, damper north facing slopes (De Dominicis & Barluzzi 1983). Siles et al (2010) modelled the recovery of vegetation after a fire in Pinus nigra, Quercus ilex and Q. faginea forest in south-east Spain and found that the presence of S. torminalis was associated with a southerly aspect, shallow soils and a high rock cover (as were other species tolerant of dry conditions), although altitude and slope were not important. Slope angle only seems to become important on the wettest soils when S. torminalis is restricted to the drier, steeper slopes (Wohlgemuth 1993).…”

Community‐level restoration profiles in Mediterranean vegetation: nurse‐based vs. traditional reforestation

“…In these plots, naturally regenerating pioneer vegetation was eliminated using a string trimmer. Subsequently, we planted 60 seedlings of different tree species in each plot, with species distributed according to the characteristics of each zone (Siles et al. 2009).…”