Participation of the Czech flora in succession at disturbed sites

Abstract

: Participation of the Czech flora in succession at disturbed sites: quantifying species' colonization ability. -Preslia 89: 87-100.The colonization of newly created sites by plants is determined by the characteristics of the species and their frequency in the surrounding landscape (mass effect). We used species frequencies from the Database of Successional Series of various disturbed sites across the Czech Republic (DaSS, 2817 phytosociological relevés, 1013 species of vascular plants) to calculate two indices of species colonization ability. One index (index of colonization potential -ICP) was corrected using occurrence data in the Czech National Phytosociological Database (CNPD) and the other (index of colonization success -ICS) was used without correction. We also evaluated the participation of species in successional stages of different ages and assessed their maximum cover. Then we asked, species of which habitat types are the most successful in colonizing disturbed sites and how their participation changes over the course of succession. Species characteristic of the following habitat types were statistically over-represented in the successional series compared to in the CNPD: synanthropic habitats; cliffs, screes and walls; acidophilous grassland; dry grassland; and sandy grassland. Species characterizing particular types of habitat exhibited significant trends in their participation in different successional stages: those of dry grassland, heathland, scrub land and forest increased during succession whereas species of synanthropic acidophilous grassland, mesic grassland and wetland decreased. Species with high values of both indices are more likely to spread in landscapes continuously disturbed by human activity. Thus, these indices can help to predict future changes in vegetation in central-European landscapes and be used in ecological restoration projects.K e y w o r d s:

Pladias Database of the Czech flora and vegetation

“…The indices characterizing plant colonization ability were published by Prach et al (2017). The authors derived the index values for individual taxa from a database of 21 succession series (both primary and secondary succession) starting on the bare substrate.…”

Natural regeneration on land degraded by coal mining in a tropical climate: Lessons for ecological restoration from Indonesia

“…Here, we describe the early stages of natural colonization on coal mine overburden spoils under a tropical rainforest climate. The biodiversity found in most tropical areas is generally high (Brown, ), and therefore, the large species pool in the areas surrounding the mines should provide the potential for a large variety of colonizing plant and animal species (Prach, Tichý, Vítovcová, & Řehounková, ). The information gained from a description of the colonizing species and the factors limiting them should assist in designing future restoration operations on the basis of the principles of ecological restoration (Alday et al, ).…”

Hydrogeochemical Conditions of the Development of Anthropogenic Carbonate Swamps: A Case Study of an Abandoned Polish Sandpit

“…In most cases, the uncovered sands of disused sandpits are colonised by psammophilous grasslands, arid grasslands, ruderal species, trees and shrubs. Wetter areas become over grown with rushes such as the common reed (Phragmites Explanations: Sampling point 1 is located above the mine water discharge, sampling point 2 -below the mine water dischargeand sampling point 3 -at the swamp australis) and broad leaf cattail (Typhalatifolia) [1,2,30].…”

“…Our study was conducted in the Szczakowa sandpit, which is located in the Silesian a macro region and that coversan area of ca. 4000 km 2 . The mean annual temperature in the Silesian Upland is about 7-8ºC and the annual precipitation in the area ranges from 700 to 800 mm/year and snow retention is approx.…”