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Read, C. F./ D. H. Duncan/ P. A. Vesk/ J. Elith 2011: Surprisingly fast recovery of biological soil crusts following livestock removal in southern Australia. - Journal of Vegetation Science 22(5): 905-916. [RLL List # 224 / Rec.# 33231]
Keywords: Boosted regression tree model/ Grassy woodlands/ Lichen/ Livestock exclusion/ Moss/ Restoration/ agricultural land/ climatic region/ colonization/ cyanobacterium/ disturbance/ ecosystem function/ grazing/ habitat fragmentation/ habitat restoration/ landscape/ livestock/ moss/ numerical model/ regression analysis/ restoration ecology/ soil crust/ stabilization/ woodland/ Australia/ Victoria [Australia]/ Bryophyta/ Cyanobacteria
Abstract: Question: Biological soil crusts (BSCs) exist in arid and semi-arid ecosystems worldwide, and their recovery following the removal of a disturbance agent is integral to the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. We asked: what is the likelihood of success and time frame of BSC recovery in vegetation remnants of southeast Australia, following livestock exclusion by fencing. Location: Dryland agricultural region of northwest Victoria, Australia. Methods: We conducted a "space for time" study of BSC recovery across 21 sites where livestock have been excluded by fencing between 1 and >50 years ago, and used boosted regression tree models to explore the response of BSCs to livestock exclusion while controlling for the influence of environmental variables on BSC abundance. Results: Our results show a relatively rapid, passive recovery of BSCs following livestock exclusion, with cover stabilizing after 20 years. Sites heavily disturbed by livestock grazing at the time of fencing stabilized at a lower cover. In contrast to studies from other countries, our results suggest mosses, not cyanobacteria, are the important colonizers in our study region. Conclusions: Ecosystem function in degraded remnants of southern Australia can be improved in a relatively short time frame through passive recovery alone. This knowledge will benefit land managers choosing between restoration options in disturbed and fragmented arid-landscapes. © 2011 International Association for Vegetation Science.
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