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Soil disturbance as a restoration measure in dry sandy grasslands

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Author

Summary, in English

Severely disturbed habitats such as military training grounds, gravel pits and sand pits contribute to the species diversity of the agricultural landscape in Europe. They host a number of red-listed species not found elsewhere, illustrating that many plant species are threatened by extinction due to too little soil disturbance. Implementing a suitable disturbance regime is therefore crucial to ensure species-rich environments. We have reviewed the literature on soil disturbance as a restoration measure in dry sandy grasslands, with a special focus on xeric sand calcareous grasslands as these are severely threatened. Our objective was to elucidate the relations between diversity and disturbance regimes, and to determine how disturbance can be used to counteract acidification, to reduce nutrient availability and to create gaps in the vegetation. Our findings indicate that the current disturbance regime should be based on the historical disturbance regime, the productivity of the habitat and the propagule supply, in order to promote diversity at a landscape scale. Based on earlier studies and on the diversity/disturbance theory, we propose a conceptual model that can be used to determine the appropriate soil disturbance regime for restoration purposes. Our analysis highlights the importance of considering soil productivity, soil chemistry and dispersal limitations when choosing restoration measures and disturbance regimes for the conservation of biodiversity.

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Pages

1921-1935

Publication/Series

Biodiversity and Conservation

Volume

21

Issue

8

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Ecology
  • Biological Sciences

Keywords

  • Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) depletion
  • Conceptual model
  • Disturbance
  • frequency
  • Plant diversity
  • Propagule supply
  • Site productivity

Status

Published

Project

  • Disturbance regimes in dry sandy grasslands – past, present and future

Research group

  • Plant Biology
  • Theoretical Population Ecology and Evolution Group

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0960-3115