María Alisa Alvarez, Lohengrin A. Cavieres, Valeria Aschero, Lorena de Jesús Bonjour, Agustina Barros
{"title":"Road Disturbance Shapes the Functional Composition of Native Plant Species but Not That of Non-Natives in the Arid Andes","authors":"María Alisa Alvarez, Lohengrin A. Cavieres, Valeria Aschero, Lorena de Jesús Bonjour, Agustina Barros","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70031","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Species assemblages in mountains are affected by variation in environmental conditions linked to elevation and anthropogenic disturbance. How species respond to these factors may vary based on the species origin. We examined the functional response of non-native and native assemblages and the relative contribution of intraspecific variation to road disturbance and elevation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cordón del Plata Provincial Park, Andes, Argentina.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We used the functional ecology approach. We calculated community-weighted means (CWM) and functional divergence of leaf area, SLA, LDMC, and plant height of natives and non-natives in transects along elevation, at roadsides and 52 m away from the road. We used linear models to assess changes with elevation and disturbance and estimated the contribution of intraspecific variability using variance partitioning.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Non-natives showed more acquisitive traits than natives. Non-natives responded only to elevation by lower stature and LDMC and higher SLA. For native species, road proximity was related to more acquisitive foliar traits, while community leaf area, SLA, and plant height varied with elevation. Species turnover explained most of the variability observed in the CWMs in both species' origin. The contribution of intraspecific variability was greater in non-native species.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Human disturbance affects the functional composition of native species. In contrast, the community traits of non-natives did not differ between road edges and the interior plots, suggesting that they are not affected by disturbance. Therefore, it is critical to reduce propagule pressure because of the potential of roadside species to invade undisturbed sites.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144332019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Standardised Drone Procedures for Phytosociological Data Collection","authors":"Giacomo Quattrini, Simone Pesaresi, Lara Lucchetti, Nicole Hofmann, Felipe Saiter, Adriano Mancini, Simona Casavecchia","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Phytosociological maps are crucial for biodiversity conservation. Supervised mapping with machine learning demands high-quality reference data that field surveys alone cannot provide. This study evaluates drone-based procedures for phytosociological data collection, comparing them with field surveys. The research questions are as follows: Are species abundance data collected via drone surveys consistent with those obtained through traditional field phytosociological methods? Can plots be correctly assigned to known plant communities using drone data?</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Marche, Central Italy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Drone surveys were conducted over forest and grassland plots using tailored imaging protocols. Forest plots were captured at 14 m with 11 high-zoom images per plot, while grasslands were surveyed at 5 m with seven images per plot. The images were analysed to identify plant species and estimate their abundances, generating plot × species matrices. Multivariate analyses, including PCA, Mantel tests and supervised k-means classification, were used to compare drone data with those obtained from the field traditional method.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>PCA and Mantel test results (<i>r</i> = 0.782, <i>p</i> < 0.001) demonstrated a strong relationship between species abundance data collected by drone and traditional field methods in both forest and grassland. The supervised classification achieved an overall accuracy exceeding 90% in assigning drone-surveyed plots to predefined plant associations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study introduces the proposal of standardised drone procedures to assist botanists in collecting phytosociological data in sub-Mediterranean grasslands and forests. They can effectively complement and enhance the traditional Braun-Blanquet method, broadening its scope and efficiently performing tasks such as vegetation unit assignment and creating reference data useful for the continuous production of supervised phytosociological maps of vegetation and habitats, which are essential for environmental monitoring.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144308987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniela Rátiva Gaona, Elisabet V. Wehncke, Nestor A. Mariano, Marcela Osorio Beristain
{"title":"Hydrochory, a Key Ecological Function of a Tropical Dry Forest River Threatened by a Dam and Open-Pit Coal Mining in Colombia","authors":"Daniela Rátiva Gaona, Elisabet V. Wehncke, Nestor A. Mariano, Marcela Osorio Beristain","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70022","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Freshwater ecosystems have complex spatial and temporal connections that support multiple processes essential for life. Since two of the most critical impacts on riparian ecosystems are the regulation of river flows and water pollution, we aimed to investigate whether a dam and mining activities on the Ranchería River affect hydrochory.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Tropical dry forest of La Guajira, Colombia; a region in need of water.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We evaluated hydrochory and compared seed richness, abundance, and composition with the unaltered Cesar River over two seasons. We sampled both upstream and downstream of the dam and the mining site. At these same sites, we quantified levels of turbidity and 15 chemical compounds that affect water quality.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There was significant spatial heterogeneity of the seed communities sampled along both rivers, with particularly distinct communities collected downstream from the open pit mine. We also found a significant effect of the dam on seed composition and abundance in the Ranchería River. Seed assemblages, but not seed numbers, differed between seasons and rivers. We also found significantly higher levels of chemical compounds and turbidity downstream of the mine compared to upstream.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There is a significant effect of the dam and the open pit mine on the Ranchería River in Colombia. The alteration of natural flows, environmental conditions, and water quality affects hydrochory, a key ecological function of the river. Urgent measures are imperative to address these challenges effectively and ensure the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144135537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Guilherme Diego Fockink, Betina Camargo, Djoney Procknow, Emily Talita Pereira de Aguiar, Pedro Joel Silva da Silva Filho, Ricardo Bergamo Schenato, Ana Paula Moreira Rovedder
{"title":"The Role of Nurse Trees in the Plant Community of Park Grassland: A Case Study in Southern Brazil","authors":"Guilherme Diego Fockink, Betina Camargo, Djoney Procknow, Emily Talita Pereira de Aguiar, Pedro Joel Silva da Silva Filho, Ricardo Bergamo Schenato, Ana Paula Moreira Rovedder","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70027","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the mechanisms that act in the assembly of the grassy-woody plant community in park grassland is important to define conservation, management, and restoration strategies. We investigated the facilitation of three nurse tree species typical of park grassland (<i>Prosopis affinis</i>, <i>Prosopis nigra,</i> and <i>Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco</i>) on the composition and structure of the plant community and the mechanisms through which these species facilitate the establishment of other species under their canopies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Park grasslands of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We carried out a paired vegetation survey in 30 circular plots (under trees and in open areas) in park grassland isolated from grazing, located in the Espinilho State Park, Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. We evaluated attributes related to the composition and structure, dimensions of each tree, and environmental variables, aiming to understand the mechanisms of plant community assembly.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Nurse trees play an important role in the assembly of the plant community, promoting changes in abiotic (provide shade, increased litter, decreased exposed soil) and biotic (decreased herbaceous abundance) conditions. Consequently, they provide microhabitat for herbaceous and woody plants. These tree species are decisive in the assembly of the plant community in park grassland, and their conservation is fundamental for the maintenance of associated species. However, they can act as nuclei for woody plants typical of forests and possibly contribute to forest expansion in the long term.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Given the nursing role they play, these tree species demonstrate potential for application in ecological restoration, as well as promoting the conservation of local biodiversity in park grasslands.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70027","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144117861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laurens B. Sparrius, Michaël J. Duijsens, Daniël Kollen, Michel J. P. M. Riksen, Arco J. van Strien
{"title":"Nitrogen Deposition Increases Spontaneous Forest Establishment and Loss of Lichen Vegetation in Inland Dune Areas Across the Netherlands","authors":"Laurens B. Sparrius, Michaël J. Duijsens, Daniël Kollen, Michel J. P. M. Riksen, Arco J. van Strien","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70029","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>(1) How much of the inland dune habitat has been transformed into spontaneous forest across the Netherlands between 2007 and 2018? (2) Is there a spatial correlation between nitrogen deposition and changes in vegetation? (3) What changes could be observed in the cover of lichen vegetation and the invasive bryophyte <i>Campylopus introflexus</i> within this period? (4) What measures can be taken to counteract the effect of spontaneous forest establishment?</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Inland dune sites across the Netherlands are primarily located in the eastern part of the country.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Comparative analysis of vegetation maps made in 2007 and 2018. Lichen species trends were estimated based on a study with 75 permanent plots over the period 1999–2023.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our study shows that, with increasing N deposition, the spontaneous forest establishment rate doubles. The Netherlands loses 118 ha (0.7%) of inland dune vegetation to spontaneous forest establishment annually, which is largely compensated by nature restoration measures. Increasing nitrogen deposition causes a stronger dominance of <i>Campylopus introflexus</i>. This resulted in a 40% decrease in the abundance of terrestrial lichen species, and consequently in a decrease in overall habitat quality.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>N deposition has a positive effect on spontaneous forest establishment in inland dune areas across the Netherlands. In total, site management would have to fell a minimum of 118 ha of Scots pine annually as a restoration measure to combat the spontaneous establishment rate and maintain the current open area inland dune habitat. Habitat quality was negatively affected and visible as a strong decline in lichen abundance and an increase in the invasive moss <i>Campylopus introflexus</i>.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144100743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Graziela Har Minervini Silva, Luciana da Silva Menezes, Helena Streit, Gerhard Ernst Overbeck
{"title":"Seed Rain in Subtropical Grasslands Under Different Grazing Intensities","authors":"Graziela Har Minervini Silva, Luciana da Silva Menezes, Helena Streit, Gerhard Ernst Overbeck","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70028","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Question</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Seed rain maintains propagule stocks in the seed bank and governs plant recruitment and community composition. However, seed rain studies in Southern Hemisphere grasslands remain scarce, and little is known about the effects of grazing on seed rain. We evaluated the seed rain in grasslands with distinct grazing intensities (high, moderate, low, very low, and not grazed) in subtropical southern Brazil.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Long-term cattle grazing management experiment in subtropical Campos grassland, southern Brazil.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Seed rain was collected, using pot traps with sterile soil, monthly for one year. Additionally, we recorded species in the fruiting phase present in the vegetation. The seed rain was estimated by the seedling emergence method. We performed randomization tests to compare seed rain density and composition among managements and seasons, and evaluated functional composition of the seed rain (broad functional groups of plants and dispersal traits).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We observed high numbers (up to 106,070 seedlings/m<sup>2</sup>, representing the maximum annual sum) in seed rain samples, with seeds from 90 species. The ungrazed treatment showed the highest number of seedlings. Across seasons, no significant differences were found, due to large variation. Similarity between seed rain and vegetation was low (Sørensen index values between 13% and 30%).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results indicate that large numbers of seeds are dispersed and potentially incorporated into the soil seed bank at the grassland site. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics of subtropical grasslands under different grazing regimes. Our findings can guide grazing management strategies to enhance the dispersal of target species, supporting effective conservation and restoration efforts.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70028","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144085495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fanny Dommanget, Pauline Douce, André Evette, Renaud Jaunatre
{"title":"Early Competition From a Local Species Seed Mixture Limits Invasion by the Ornamental Shrub Buddleja davidii","authors":"Fanny Dommanget, Pauline Douce, André Evette, Renaud Jaunatre","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70025","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One strategy to prevent invasive alien plant species from establishing during the restoration process is to early re-introduce native communities. But can seeding a native herbaceous species mixture of local seeds reduce the establishment of an invasive shrub such as <i>Buddleja davidii</i>? Specifically, we asked: (1) Does competition by native species reduce <i>B. davidii</i> performance? (2) Is this competitive effect on <i>B. davidii</i> more important under higher seed densities? (3) Can it be partly attributed to light competition? (4) How do priority effects moderate this competitive effect?</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Disturbed embankment, Isère, France.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted experiments in controlled conditions, in mesocosms and in the field. We compared the performance of <i>B. davidii</i> when seeded alone or in competition with local seeds, at different densities, when shaded or not and when sown before or simultaneously with respect to native species.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The seeding of a local seed mixture decreased the height, biomass and early-stage survival of <i>Buddleja davidii</i>. Whatever the density, these results were consistent across all three experiments. <i>Buddleja davidii</i>'s survival rate was reduced only under the experimental conditions of high shading. When native species were sown after <i>B. davidii</i>, their competitive effect was very low.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Buddleja davidii</i> appears to be sensitive to competition during the early stages of its invasion, especially when local seedlings benefit from a time advantage, regardless of their density. In restoration contexts, native species can prevent the invasion of <i>B. davidii</i> if sowing is carried out as soon as possible.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.70025","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143930164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seasonal Dynamics of Dominant Macrophyte Community Seed Banks in a Yangtze River-Connected Floodplain Wetland: Implications for Restoration","authors":"Wen-Jing Sun, Jia-Shun Zhong, Xin-Zhi Guo, Yun-He Cai, Zhi-Yong Hou, Zheng-Miao Deng, Xin-Sheng Chen","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70026","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Seed banks play a crucial role in population replenishment, community succession, and ecosystem resilience. In floodplain wetlands, seed banks may display seasonal dynamics that are influenced by seasonal flooding and temperature; however, seasonal dynamics remain poorly understood.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Two dominant macrophyte communities in the Dongting Lake wetlands, China.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigated seed-bank densities, vertical distributions, and species richness of two dominant macrophyte communities in the Dongting Lake wetlands during November 2017 (after flooding), January (winter), March (spring), and May 2018 (before flooding).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Carex</i> and <i>Miscanthus</i> community seed-bank densities peaked in May (15,307 and 17,330 individuals/m<sup>2</sup>, respectively), decreased from November to March, and were the lowest in January (440 and 627 individuals/m<sup>2</sup>, respectively). <i>Carex</i> and <i>Miscanthus</i> community seed-bank densities declined rapidly with soil depth during May from 13,414 and 16,535 individuals/m<sup>2</sup> in the 0–5 cm soil layer to 254 and 42 individuals/m<sup>2</sup> in the 10–20 cm soil layer, respectively. The species richness of <i>Carex</i> and <i>Miscanthus</i> community seed banks peaked during May (7 and 8 species, respectively). However, species similarity with extant communities was low (0.23 and 0.27, respectively).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results of this study emphasize the significance of seasons and stratification in the utilization of soil seed banks for floodplain wetland restoration. Supplementary measures such as bud banks and introduced seedlings should be adopted for the successful restoration of macrophyte communities because of the low density and richness of perennial species in seed banks.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143919423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julián Medrano Santos, María Lucrecia Lipoma, Lucas Enrico
{"title":"Land Use Modulates Herbivory on Juvenile Stages of Woody Species in a Chaco Dry Forest","authors":"Julián Medrano Santos, María Lucrecia Lipoma, Lucas Enrico","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70023","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Land use modifies natural forest herbivore assemblages by cattle introduction and structural alteration that impact invertebrate diversity. This land use and herbivory combined effect is particularly relevant for woody plant juveniles, which are key stages for regeneration. We aimed to understand how herbivory on juvenile woody plants is affected by land use. In this study, we analyzed how vertebrate and invertebrate herbivory patterns on seedlings and saplings change between land uses in winter and summer seasons.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Southernmost Gran Chaco region, Córdoba province, central Argentina.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methodology</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We assessed the invertebrate and vertebrate herbivory on seedlings and saplings of woody species during summer and winter seasons at four different land use types of a Chaco dry forest. Land use types were classified according to the increasing intensity of disturbance (logging and grazing) they are subjected to: Conserved Forest (CF; no disturbance), Secondary Forest (SF; low disturbance), Closed Species-rich Shrubland (CS; intermediate disturbance), and Open Shrubland (OS; high disturbance).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found that total herbivory was consistently higher in SF and CS in both seasons. Vertebrate herbivory was higher than invertebrate herbivory in winter (except in CF), with the inverse pattern in summer. Differences between seedling and sapling stages were scarce, with not consistent patterns of herbivory between seasons.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study shows a pronounced effect of land use on seasonal herbivory patterns and dynamics. The vegetation structure of communities under low and intermediate disturbance intensities would promote diversity of invertebrate herbivores, which, combined with cattle introduction, could result in herbivory complementation and additivity. Understanding how environmental filters, like anthropic activities and herbivory, interplay and affect early growth stages is crucial to achieving land use practices that do not compromise forest resilience and regeneration.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gillian G. Revenis, Ryan Utz, Rose-Marie Muzika, Thomas P. Diggins, Walter P. Carson
{"title":"Large Boulders Provide Refuge for Browse-Sensitive Species and Reveal a Legacy of Overbrowsing and Shifting Baselines","authors":"Gillian G. Revenis, Ryan Utz, Rose-Marie Muzika, Thomas P. Diggins, Walter P. Carson","doi":"10.1111/avsc.70021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Question</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overbrowsing by abundant deer reshapes the composition of forests from palatable native species to browse-tolerant species, leading to simplified understories with reduced biodiversity. Here, we ask whether geologic refugia (e.g., tall boulders) will provide a haven for vulnerable plant species to escape browsing pressure from high populations of native deer.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Huron Mountains, Michigan, USA.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We compared the percent cover, species richness, and Shannon diversity of all plant species on tall boulders to adjacent fenced exclosures and to forest floor reference plots to quantify the degree to which deer impact one of the largest remaining tracts of old-growth forests in the Eastern United States.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found that boulders contained 60% higher richness and diversity than reference plots, as well as a more diverse mix of midstory species, shrubs, and forbs. Seven-year-old exclosure and reference plots were nearly indistinguishable from each other and were dominated by <i>Acer saccharum</i> and other browse-tolerant species.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study demonstrates that boulders are a highly effective, though rarely used, proxy or bioassay of the degree to which chronic overbrowsing creates impoverished understories composed of browse-tolerant or unpalatable species. Our findings highlight the significance of refugia as a haven from overbrowsing for vulnerable plant species and emphasize the importance of using exclosures alongside refugia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55494,"journal":{"name":"Applied Vegetation Science","volume":"28 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143888994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}