Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9447893 | Journal of Arid Environments | 2005 | 12 Pages |
Abstract
Species diversity influences plant community structure and function. This paper examines the patterns and dynamics of species diversity along a chronosequence of vegetation recovery on sand dunes in a semi-arid region to assess the probability of vegetation recovery via succession, and provides some implications for revegetation practices in this region. Species richness and diversity indices gradually increased with succession, except for a decline in the community of 18 years, which is attributed to the strong dominance of Artemisia halodendron. In each stage of the restoration process, there was a dominant species with particular life history traits which contribute to the dominance of this species. Species replacement and habitat changes were the main drivers of succession, while plant species and community succession drove the process of vegetation recovery. Results showed that restoration via succession holds promise for vegetation recovery and desertification control within protected, fenced enclosures.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Earth-Surface Processes
Authors
J. Zhang, H. Zhao, T. Zhang, X. Zhao, S. Drake,