The effectiveness of active restoration following alien clearance in fynbos riparian zones and resilience of treatments to fire

Pretorius, Michelle; Esler, Karen J.; Holmes, Patricia M.; Prins, N.

doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2008.01.180

Cited by 30 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Incorporating natural establishment via hydrochory has the potential to have higher yield and more spatially extensive benefits than active restoration through planting or broadcasting seed to restore riparian vegetation (e.g. Pretorius et al , 2008). In addition, restoration of flows timed to transport propagules and facilitate their deposition into suitable sites has many indirect benefits such as facilitating soil microbial processes, moistening soils, and directing dispersal which may enhance the likelihood of seedling survival (Howe & Smallwood, 1982).…”

Section: Human Impacts On Hydrochorymentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of hydrochory in structuring riparian and wetland vegetation

et al. 2010

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Hydrochory, or the passive dispersal of organisms by water, is an important means of propagule transport, especially for plants. During recent years, knowledge about hydrochory and its ecological consequences has increased considerably and a substantial body of literature has been produced. Here, we review this literature and define the state of the art of the discipline. A substantial proportion of species growing in or near water have propagules (fruits, seeds or vegetative units) able to disperse by water, either floating, submerged in flowing water, or with the help of floating vessels. Hydrochory can enable plants to colonize sites out of reach with other dispersal vectors, but the timing of dispersal and mechanisms of establishment are important for successful establishment. At the population level, hydrochory may increase the effective size and longevity of populations, and control their spatial configuration. Hydrochory is also an important source of species colonizing recruitment-limited riparian and wetland communities, contributing to maintenance of community species richness. Dispersal by water may even influence community composition in different landscape elements, resulting in landscape-level patterns. Genetically, hydrochory may reduce spatial aggregation of genetically related individuals, lead to high gene flow among populations, and increase genetic diversity in populations receiving many propagules. Humans have impacted hydrochory in many ways. For example, dams affect hydrochory by reducing peak flows and hence dispersal capacity, altering the timing of dispersal, and by presenting physical barriers to dispersal, with consequences for riverine plant communities. Hydrochory has been inferred to be an important vector for the spread of many invasive species, but there is also the potential for enhancing ecosystem restoration by improving or restoring water dispersal pathways. Climate change may alter the role of hydrochory by modifying the hydrology of water-bodies as well as conditions for propagule release and plant colonization.

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Section: Human Impacts On Hydrochorymentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of hydrochory in structuring riparian and wetland vegetation

et al. 2010

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“…Coffman et al (2010) found that invasive Arundo donax in California was far more productive after fire than were native species. In medregion South African streams, invasive Acacia species regenerate through both seedling germination and prolific sprouting after fire (Pretorius et al, 2008;Reinecke et al, 2008), although their seedling germination rates can be suppressed somewhat by active reintroduction of indigenous species .…”

Section: Firementioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian vegetation research in Mediterranean-climate regions: common patterns, ecological processes, and considerations for management

et al. 2012

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Riparian corridors in Mediterranean-climate regions (med-regions) are resource-rich habitats within water-limited, larger landscapes. However, little is known about how their plant communities compare functionally and compositionally across medregions. In recent decades, research on these ecosystems has expanded in both geographic scope and disciplinary depth. We reviewed 286 riparian-vegetation studies across the five med-regions, and identified common themes, including: (1) high levels of plant biodiversity, structural complexity, and cross-region species introductions; (2) strong physical controls on plant demographics and community structure; and (3) intensive human impacts. European and Californian ecosystems were the most represented among the studies reviewed, but Australia, South Africa, and Chile had the greatest proportional increases in articles published since 2000. All med-regions support distinct riparian flora, although many genera have invaded across regions. Plant species in all regions are adapted to multiple abiotic stressors, including dynamic flooding and sediment regimes, seasonal water shortage, and fire. The most severe human impacts are from land-use conversion to agriculture, streamflow regulation, nutrient enrichment, and climate change. Current knowledge gaps and subjects for future research include cumulative impacts to small, ephemeral streams and large, regulated rivers, as well as understudied ecosystems in North Africa, the western Mediterranean basin, and Chile.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

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“…The large rhizome store will also allow the Pteridium to withstand fire, and advantages from clonal integration (Du et al, 2010) may favor the fern also in competition with co-occurring other plants. As a result, communities invaded by Pteridium are expected to become successively more vulnerable to Pteridium expansion and vegetation suppression (Pretorius et al, 2008). Thus, the dominance of the neotropical Pteridium may change the overall vegetation structure of the tropical savannas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%