Response of plant functional traits during the restoration of calcareous grasslands from forest stands

Abstract

In this survey, we studied the response of plant functional traits to calcareous grassland restoration in the Calestienne region, Southern Belgium (restoration protocol: forest clearcutting followed by grazing at all sites). We considered traits related to dispersal, establishment, and persistence that integrate the main challenges of plants to re-establish and survive in restored areas. Functional traits were compiled from databases and compared among annuals and biennials). During restorative management, clonal, epizoochorous and autumn germinating species were favored. Despite numerous other changes during this phase, many differences remained compared to reference grasslands. In particular, geophytes, mycorrhizal and evergreen species abundance were not approaching reference grassland values. The observed pattern helped to draw inferences on the possible mechanisms operating under vegetation recovery following restorative forest clear-cut and subsequent management were identified and described in this study. Results indicated grazing was an important factor, which increased epizoochorous species, and autumn germinating taxa that filled niches in vegetation opened by summer grazing animals. Finally, differences between old restoration and reference grasslands emphasized that management should focus on reduction in soil fertility, and geophyte rhizomatous grasses. Long-term monitoring is vital to assess if management plans are effective in the complete restoration of species functional trait assemblages.

Land‐use history exerts long‐term effects on the clear‐cut flora in boreonemoral Sweden

“…In Belgium, floristic similarities between grazed clear‐cuts with a history of grassland management and permanent grasslands were found shortly after logging (Bistea & Mahy ; Piqueray et al. , ; Helsen et al. ).…”

“…The rapid restoration of flora in clear‐cuts with a history of grassland management in Belgium was explained by plant dispersal from adjacent grasslands, particularly epizoochorous dispersal by rotating sheep flocks (Bistea & Mahy ; Piqueray et al. , ). In our study, dispersal is a less likely explanation of the results for several reasons.…”

“…; Highland & Jones ; Piqueray et al. ), which could be used for this purpose. We urge forest and agricultural practitioners and researchers to implement methods that consider both the production and biodiversity targets of forests.…”

“…; Piqueray et al. ). A recent study found that newly created clear‐cuts in forests with a history as grassland harboured more diverse plant communities compared to clear‐cuts with longer continuity as forests (Jonason et al.…”

A research agenda for seed‐trait functional ecology

“…Seed traits also can be useful for anticipating responses to land-use change. During assembly, for example, seed traits have been shown to interact with grazing and clear cutting (Piqueray et al, 2015), as well as fire frequency or season (Gomez-Gonzalez et al, 2011;Ooi, 2012), to determine outcomes.…”