Contributions of vegetation cover and cattle hoof prints towards seed runoff control on ski pistes

Isselin-Nondedeu, Françis; Rey, Freddy; Bédécarrats, A.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.02.006

Cited by 39 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…This rule was valid for spherical seeds, whereas no seed removal occurred from the threshold value onwards for flat-shaped seeds heavier than 50 mg. The relevance of seed size and shape in the severity of seed removal by runoff was later corroborated under rainfall simulation conditions for species living in the Chinese Loess Plateau (Wang et al, 2013) and under field conditions in the French Alps (Isselin-Nondedeu and Bédécar-rats, 2007; Isselin- Nondedeu et al, 2006). In general terms, likewise soil particles, small and rounded seeds proved to be more susceptible to removal by runoff.…”

Section: Seed Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…A strong relationship was found between the magnitude of seed transport by runoff and rainfall and slope characteristics. Similar to what happens to soil particles (Govers, 1989;Parsons et al, 1993;de Vente and Poesen, 2005;Boix-Fayos et al, 2006), seed losses increased as slope angle (García-Fayos et al, 1995;Jiao et al, 2011;Han et al, 2011;but Cerdà and García-Fayos, 1997) and rain duration and intensity increased (García-Fayos et al, 1995;Jiao et al, 2011;Han et al, 2011), but it decreased with soil surface roughness (Reichman, 1984;Chambers, 2000;Aerts et al, 2006;Isselin-Nondedeu et al, 2006;Isselin-Nondedeu and Bédécarrats, 2007) and with total slope length (García-Fayos et al, 1995). Soil texture also influenced seed losses, since larger soil particles increased the amount of seeds trapped in the soil (Chambers et al, 1991;Traba et al, 2006).…”

Section: Factors Influencing Seed Removal By Runoff 321 External Famentioning

confidence: 90%

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The fate of seeds in the soil: a review of the influence of overland flow on seed removal and its consequences for the vegetation of arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems

Bochet

2015

SOIL

100

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Abstract. Since seeds are the principle means by which plants move across the landscape, the final fate of seeds plays a fundamental role in the assemblage, functioning and dynamics of plant communities. Once seeds land on the soil surface after being dispersed from the parent plant, they can be moved horizontally by surface runoff. In arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems, where seeds are scattered into a very heterogeneous environment and intense rainfalls occur, the transport of seeds by runoff to new sites may be an opportunity for seeds to reach more favourable sites for seed germination and seedling survival. Although seed transport by runoff may be of vital importance for the recruitment of plants in these ecosystems, it has received little attention in the scientific literature, especially among soil scientists. The main goals of this review paper are (1) to offer an updated conceptual model of seed fate with a focus on seed destiny in and on the soil; (2) to review studies on seed fate in overland flow and the ecological implications seed transport by runoff has for the origin, spatial patterning and maintenance of patches in arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems; and finally (3) to point out directions for future research.This review shows that seed fate in overland flow may result either in the export of seeds from the system (seed loss) or in the spatial redistribution of seeds within the system through short-distance seed movements (seed displacement). Seed transport by runoff depends on rainfall, slope and soil characteristics. Susceptibility of seed removal varies highly between species and is mainly related to seed traits, including seed size, seed shape, presence of appendages, and ability of a seed to secrete mucilage. Although initially considered as a risk of seed loss, seed removal by runoff has recently been described as an ecological driver that shapes plant composition from the first phases of the plant life by favouring species with seeds able to resist erosion and by selecting for plant traits that prevent seed loss. Moreover, the interaction of seed transport by overland flow with the high seed trapping capacity of vegetated patches results in a "patch-to-patch" transport of seeds that plays a relevant role in vegetation establishment and patterning in arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems.Overall, this review shows how the knowledge about seed fate in overland flow can be used to explain a number of important characteristics of whole plant communities. It also underlines important gaps in knowledge that should be filled in. Future lines of research are proposed in order to broaden our understanding of the origin, maintenance and dynamics of patchiness in arid and semiarid ecosystems and to improve restoration success of intensively eroded ecosystems. Among the most exciting challenges, empirical studies are needed to understand the relevance of short-distance seed displacements in the origin and maintenance of patchiness, addressing the feedbacks between structure and function and abiotic a...

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Section: Seed Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Factors Influencing Seed Removal By Runoff 321 External Famentioning

confidence: 90%

The fate of seeds in the soil: a review of the influence of overland flow on seed removal and its consequences for the vegetation of arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems

Bochet

2015

SOIL

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Areas where the two activities occur together illustrate the multi-functionality of the grasslands (Isselin-Nondedeu et al, 2006). Some studies have suggested that livestock (particularly cattle) can counterbalance the damage caused by the construction and use of ski runs (Goñi and Guzmán, 2001;Isselin-Nondedeu and Bedecarrats, 2007), prevent reductions in plant diversity (Goñi and Guzmán, 2001), and aid in the restoration of eroded areas through trampling and exozoochoria (Isselin-Nondedeu et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In North America, remnant native grasslands are among the most endangered landscapes (Sampson and Knopf, 1994). Since the early 1970s, human pressure on mountain ecosystems has increased in several regions of the world because of the development of ski resorts, which compete for land with traditional agricultural activities (Isselin-Nondedeu et al, 2006), particularly in the mountains of industrialized countries (Titus and Tsuyuzaki, 1998), where the demands for recreational activities by urban populations have increased. In Europe, most ski runs are built on subalpine and alpine mountain grasslands.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In and around ski slopes, environmental deterioration is common (Pignatti 1993;Tsuyuzaki, 1994;Urbanska, 1994;Titus and Tsuyuzaki, 1998), including damage to vegetation, the development of bare areas, soil erosion, and landscape fragmentation (Bayfield, 1980;Watson, 1985;Tsuyuzaki, 1994Tsuyuzaki, , 2002Isselin-Nondedeu et al, 2006). The development of skiing areas involves the use of heavy machinery for the construction of runs, topographic adjustment, the grooming of the snow cover to improve the skiing experience (Rixen et al, 2003;Gros et al, 2004;Delgado et al, 2007), and the production of machine-made snow, which has become more important in recent years (Rixen et al, 2003;Wipf et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in Land Use of Pyrenean Mountain Pastures — Ski Runs and Livestock Management — Between 1972 and 2005 and the Effects on Subalpine Grasslands

Barrantes

Reiné

Ferrer

2013

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

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The resource coupling role of animal foraging pits in semi‐arid woodlands

Eldridge¹

2010

Ecohydrology

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Water is a strong driver of ecosystem function and diversity in resource-limited drylands. Structures that alter the redistribution of water have the potential to affect vegetation pattern and productivity and the maintenance of spatial heterogeneity. We examined the role of surface foraging pits and mounds constructed by the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) on runoff generation, sediment detention and seed capture. We speculated that pits dug into biologically crusted interspace soils would reduce overland flow and act as sinks for seed, while mounds of ejected soil would increase sediment availability. Runoff and sediment yield were examined under simulated rainfall with five levels of disturbance representing the pits and mounds of echidnas. Increasing the level of disturbance up to 47% cover of mounds and pits had no effect on time to ponding, steady-state runoff or the coefficient of runoff. However, time to initiation of runoff, sediment removal rates and sediment concentration in runoff water increased with increasing disturbance. Pit-to-pit and surface-to-pit movements of Dodonaea viscosa seed tended to increase, while pit-to-surface movements tended to remain unchanged with increasing disturbance. Surface-resident seed generally moved shorter distances with increasing disturbance. The results highlight the importance of mounds and pits of soil foraging animals for generating and trapping eroded sediment. Runoff and erosion processes may therefore provide a mechanism for coupling critical resources such as seed, water and sediment in resource-rich patches that will contribute to the development of small-scale heterogeneity in woodlands.

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Contributions of vegetation cover and cattle hoof prints towards seed runoff control on ski pistes

Cited by 39 publications

References 32 publications

The fate of seeds in the soil: a review of the influence of overland flow on seed removal and its consequences for the vegetation of arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems

The fate of seeds in the soil: a review of the influence of overland flow on seed removal and its consequences for the vegetation of arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems

Changes in Land Use of Pyrenean Mountain Pastures — Ski Runs and Livestock Management — Between 1972 and 2005 and the Effects on Subalpine Grasslands

The resource coupling role of animal foraging pits in semi‐arid woodlands

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