Secondary succession of semi-arid Mediterranean old-fields in south-eastern Spain: insights for conservation and restoration of degraded lands

Carbon dynamics of soil organic matter in bulk soil and aggregate fraction during secondary succession in a Mediterranean environment

“…Furthermore, the current study documented an increase in total soil nitrogen with time since abandonment, and this finding is consistent with other studies of succession in Mediterranean regions (Bonet, 2004;Robertson and Vitousek, 1981). Studies in semi-arid regions showed that C losses may occur only if there is a substantial decrease in soil N stock and that the rate of change in both of these stocks is related to annual rainfall (Halliday et al, 2003;Kirschbaum et al, 2008).…”

Impact of tree species on nutrient and light availability: evidence from a permanent plot study of old-field succession

“…The observed gradient strongly supports the initial floristic composition model by Egler (1954) and the strong and persistent influence of the land use history on the plant community and the pathway of succession, respectively (Koerner et al 1997;Dupouey et al 2002;Bonet 2004;Dölle and Schmidt 2007). Which species dominate during succession can be determined by numerous factors like differences in seed dispersal, interannual differences in seed production (mast years), soil seed bank, germination requirements, relative growth rate, competition with other plant species, as well as various environmental parameters (Hard 1975;Schmidt 1981;Tilman 1988;Zeiter et al 2006;Standish et al 2007).…”

“…Additionally, cultural and tillage practices before abandonment have marked consequences on overall vegetation development (Bonet 2004), and agricultural land use intensity and site history may have irreversible effects on subsequent biodiversity (Bossuyt et al 1999;Dupouey et al 2002). Successions may also differ due to varying climate conditions or diaspore supply in the initial stage (Schmidt 1981;1983;Peet 1992).…”

The ecodiver index in the evaluation of habitats: a complementary methodology for forest inventory in the elaboration of technical plans and ordinance of land, environmental planning and administration of natural resources

“…The state of conservation of an ecosystem (CO) has also been touched upon by several authors (Bonet, 2004;Penas et al, 2005;Fernández Pérez et al, 2004;U.I.C.N., 2004). It mainly seeks to quantify the degree of alteration of habitats to be able on the one hand to assess the appropriate operation of an ecosystem and search for the detection and diagnosis of possible alterations or bad operation, in light of the maintenance of biodiversity and human life in this planet.…”