Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following Disturbances
The aim of this study was to define the species richness patterns over a period of 15 years during the vegetation recovery process after disturbances (burning, cutting and ploughing) in heathlands. Three communities were selected: two dominated by Erica australis and one dominated by Calluna vulgari...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Forestry Research |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/547120 |
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| author | L. Calvo R. Tárrega E. Luis |
| author_facet | L. Calvo R. Tárrega E. Luis |
| author_sort | L. Calvo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this study was to define the species richness patterns over a period of 15 years during the vegetation recovery process after disturbances (burning, cutting and ploughing) in heathlands. Three communities were selected: two dominated by Erica australis and one dominated by Calluna vulgaris. The alpha and gamma diversity patterns were site specific and influenced by the ecological traits of dominant shrub species. The shrubland dominated by Erica australis, typical resprouters with a fast regeneration, showed the highest values of alpha and gamma diversity during the first 7 years of regeneration. The heathland dominated by Calluna vulgaris, an obligate seeder, had a contrasting pattern of alpha and gamma diversity, as the highest values appeared from year 7 until year 14. Thus, the speed of regeneration of the dominant shrub species could be the main factor affecting structural parameters in these communities. Species richness patterns did not vary in relation to the different types of perturbation. Cutting and burning would be the most suitable forestry management strategies to conserve Erica australis heathlands, but burning is more appropriate in Calluna vulgaris ones because cutting modified this community. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0b6748c3a83b404293ab34e2b10bbd97 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1687-9368 1687-9376 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Forestry Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-0b6748c3a83b404293ab34e2b10bbd972025-08-20T02:03:28ZengWileyInternational Journal of Forestry Research1687-93681687-93762012-01-01201210.1155/2012/547120547120Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following DisturbancesL. Calvo0R. Tárrega1E. Luis2Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, SpainArea of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, SpainArea of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, SpainThe aim of this study was to define the species richness patterns over a period of 15 years during the vegetation recovery process after disturbances (burning, cutting and ploughing) in heathlands. Three communities were selected: two dominated by Erica australis and one dominated by Calluna vulgaris. The alpha and gamma diversity patterns were site specific and influenced by the ecological traits of dominant shrub species. The shrubland dominated by Erica australis, typical resprouters with a fast regeneration, showed the highest values of alpha and gamma diversity during the first 7 years of regeneration. The heathland dominated by Calluna vulgaris, an obligate seeder, had a contrasting pattern of alpha and gamma diversity, as the highest values appeared from year 7 until year 14. Thus, the speed of regeneration of the dominant shrub species could be the main factor affecting structural parameters in these communities. Species richness patterns did not vary in relation to the different types of perturbation. Cutting and burning would be the most suitable forestry management strategies to conserve Erica australis heathlands, but burning is more appropriate in Calluna vulgaris ones because cutting modified this community.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/547120 |
| spellingShingle | L. Calvo R. Tárrega E. Luis Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following Disturbances International Journal of Forestry Research |
| title | Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following Disturbances |
| title_full | Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following Disturbances |
| title_fullStr | Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following Disturbances |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following Disturbances |
| title_short | Changes of Species Richness in Heathland Communities over 15 Years following Disturbances |
| title_sort | changes of species richness in heathland communities over 15 years following disturbances |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/547120 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lcalvo changesofspeciesrichnessinheathlandcommunitiesover15yearsfollowingdisturbances AT rtarrega changesofspeciesrichnessinheathlandcommunitiesover15yearsfollowingdisturbances AT eluis changesofspeciesrichnessinheathlandcommunitiesover15yearsfollowingdisturbances |