Plant phenological research enhances ecological restoration

Buisson, Élise; Alvarado, Swanni T.; Stradic, Soizig Le; Morellato, Leonor Patrícia Cerdeira

doi:10.1111/rec.12471

Cited by 64 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(66 reference statements)

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“…; Buisson et al. ). However, interactions between plant life‐history events and phenological traits are complex and are also controlled by phylogenetic constraints (Kochmer and Handel ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The colors of heath flowering – quantifying spatial patterns of phenology in Calluna life‐cycle phases using high‐resolution drone imagery

Neumann

Behling

Schindhelm

et al. 2019

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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Recent developments in high‐resolution ecosystem mapping using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) open up promising perspectives for the monitoring of fine‐scale vegetation patterns and ecological functioning. In this study, we examine the potential of UAV imagery to track the structural composition and related phenological traits of the dwarf shrub Calluna vulgaris on a former military training area. On a European Natura 2000 heathland site, habitat management is shown to be evaluated on the basis of flowering dynamics and reproductive recovery as a proxy of functional changes that are generated after fire destruction. In particular, we utilize true color camera information and digital surface models to determine the spatiotemporal evolution of Calluna life‐cycle phases and flowering phenology 2 years after controlled burning. A stepwise methodological framework is presented that extracts Calluna pixels, spatially separates juvenile and mature life‐cycle phases, differentiates between generative and vegetative shoot extension and finally quantifies proportions of flowers, fruits and vegetative growth in two consecutive peak flowering periods. We show that Calluna life‐cycle phases can be spatially differentiated in pioneer, building and mature phases in UAV imagery. In the juvenile phase, regeneration from germination is low (<10%) and sprouting from the stem base dominates recovery patterns after fire management. The study further reveals that the distribution of flowering and fruiting during peak flowering time is spatially heterogeneous with high variations between years. In the fire unaffected mature phase, proportions of flowers and fruits are reduced indicating a decrease in reproductive capacity of unmanaged Calluna stands. A phenological phase shift is detected from flowering to fruiting that is related to an increase of Calluna growth height. The study shows that the functional patterns of growth and reproduction can be mapped for heathland ecosystems using simple true color drone cameras.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The colors of heath flowering – quantifying spatial patterns of phenology in Calluna life‐cycle phases using high‐resolution drone imagery

Neumann

Behling

Schindhelm

et al. 2019

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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“…For example, phenological information can guide the selection of species to be used in grassland restoration to include species that initiate leafing, flowering, or fruiting over the course of the season (Buisson et al. ). Having confidence in when species will undergo transitions is also critical for managing migration of livestock herds to avoid periods of flowering or seed set for plant species of management concern (James et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ability to anticipate the timing of phenological transition is important to a wide range of management applications. For example, phenological information can guide the selection of species to be used in grassland restoration to include species that initiate leafing, flowering, or fruiting over the course of the season (Buisson et al 2017). Having confidence in when species will undergo transitions is also critical for managing migration of livestock herds to avoid periods of flowering or seed set for plant species of management concern (James et al 2015), and to predict differential use of pastures by heritage and conventional cattle breeds that differ in their selection of forage resources (S. Spiegal et al, unpublished manuscript).…”

Section: Patterns Across Phenophases and Functional Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such groupings of species that exhibit similar patterns in the timing of seasonal transitions, or phenological guilds, can also be used in restoration efforts to choose an appropriate combination of plant species in seed mixes or to improve the timing of restoration implementation (e.g., following disturbance from oil and gas drilling or mining operations; Buisson et al. ). Further, an awareness of phenological guilds may also expand our understanding of functional responses to climate when linked to the underpinning mechanisms via experimental manipulations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ability to identify groups of species or landscape elements that exhibit similar responses to biotic or abiotic drivers can increase efficiency of monitoring efforts to characterize ecosystem responses to perturbation, climate, or changing management practices (Rosenfeld 2002, Gurevitch et al 2006. Such groupings of species that exhibit similar patterns in the timing of seasonal transitions, or phenological guilds, can also be used in restoration efforts to choose an appropriate combination of plant species in seed mixes or to improve the timing of restoration implementation (e.g., following disturbance from oil and gas drilling or mining operations; Buisson et al 2017). Further, an awareness of phenological guilds may also expand our understanding of functional responses to climate when linked to the underpinning mechanisms via experimental manipulations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Synchronous species responses reveal phenological guilds: implications for management

et al. 2018

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Phenological studies are critical for understanding the ability of terrestrial ecosystems to respond to changes in climate. Monitoring seasonal transitions at the species or community level across large areas is challenging and expensive. One approach for lowering costs is to identify phenological guilds—groups of species that exhibit similar timing of seasonal transitions—and limit monitoring to a smaller number of species within a guild. In this study, we evaluated 23 consecutive years of monthly observations of individual species at 15 long‐term study sites at the Jornada Basin USDA‐Long‐Term Ecological Research site to identify patterns in the onset of three phenophases—leaf‐out, flower, and fruit—of 16 widely occurring species in the arid southwestern United States and to investigate the existence of phenological guilds. We conducted univariate analyses of distributions in the timing of leaf, flower, and fruit production across time and space and multivariate cluster analysis of the time series to identify coherent groups of species–site instances that exhibit coherence in timing of phenophase onsets (i.e., guilds). The six species of C3 shrubs demonstrated greater consistency in timing of all phenophases relative to C4 grasses. Further, we found that in all species, leaf‐out occurred prior to the onset of the summer monsoon rains. Cluster analysis revealed six groups of species–site observations demonstrating high within‐year concordance in timing of leaf‐out and first fruit across variable site conditions and rainfall years. The six groups for timing of first fruit differed from those for first leaf in that they exhibited greater multi‐species membership and within‐year variability in timing. We propose that use of phenological guilds can improve the efficiency of ecosystem monitoring, predictive models of ecosystem cues driving phenological events, and land management outcomes.

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Using phenology data to improve control of invasive plant species: A case study on Midway Atoll NWR

Taylor

Holthuijzen

Humphrey

et al. 2020

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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1. Restoration of degraded lands often depends on knowledge of invasive plant species’ ecology coupled with well‐timed treatments to control them. Little is known about the reproductive phenology of Verbesina encelioides (golden crownbeard), which is a highly invasive annual forb species at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Efforts to control V. encelioides on Midway Atoll NWR were challenging, especially when targeted plants went to seed before being treated. 2. To obtain this information, we documented the timing of key reproductive life cycle events in cohorts of V. encelioides plants on Midway Atoll NWR for 12 months beginning in August 2016; we visited these plants every 3–7 days and noted which phenophases the plants exhibited. 3. We found that it took an average of 76 days for V. encelioides to transition from leaves to seed drop, although the time required varied across the year (range: 31–175 days). Accordingly, invasive plant control schedules were adjusted to re‐treat infested areas every 30 days. 4. By incorporating phenology information into invasive plant control operations at Midway Atoll NWR, efforts to eradicate V. encelioides will have a higher chance of succeeding. Standardized methods, such as those from the USA National Phenology Network, provided useful tools for optimizing the timing of management practices; moreover, these data may help to better inform management of invasive plant species with regard to restoration efforts at a global scale.

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Plant phenological research enhances ecological restoration

Cited by 64 publications

References 42 publications

The colors of heath flowering – quantifying spatial patterns of phenology in Calluna life‐cycle phases using high‐resolution drone imagery

The colors of heath flowering – quantifying spatial patterns of phenology in Calluna life‐cycle phases using high‐resolution drone imagery

Synchronous species responses reveal phenological guilds: implications for management

Using phenology data to improve control of invasive plant species: A case study on Midway Atoll NWR

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