Vegetation recruitment in different aged rehabilitated patches in monsoonal vine forest in the Northern Territory, Australia

Vidushi Thusithana, Sean M. Bellairs, Christine S. Bach

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Paper published in Proceedingspeer-review

    Abstract

    Rehabilitation of coastal vine forest at East Point Recreational Reserve, Darwin, is ongoing. Rehabilitated stands ranging in age from 6 to 42 years were compared to a remnant community. Rehabilitation involved planting seedlings of pioneer species. Regeneration of climax species largely relies on dispersal from the nearby forest remnant. This study determined whetherregeneration of climax species was dispersal limited and whether the rehabilitation strategy of using pioneers is likely to eventually restore remnant forest tree diversity. We predicted that if the advanced regeneration in these patches was dispersal limited the patches would be dominated by seedlings of planted pioneer species. We measured seed and seedling diversity and abundance in different aged stands for comparison with the remnant forest. In young stands pioneer species from differentgrowth forms established easily and had achieved a closed canopy. Climax species established once canopy closure wasachieved. However, even the oldest rehabilitated stand (42 years) had not begun to converge on the climax species diversity and abundance contained in the nearby remnant monsoonal vine forest.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of Restore, Regenerate, Revegetate
    Subtitle of host publicationA Conference on Restoring Ecological Processes, Ecosystems and Landscapes in a Changing World
    EditorsRhiannon Smith
    Place of PublicationArmidale, Australia
    PublisherSchool of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England
    Pages79-80
    Number of pages2
    Edition1
    ISBN (Print)978-1-921 597-76-3
    Publication statusPublished - 2018
    EventRestore Regenerate Revegetate Conference 2017: A Conference on Restoring Ecological Processes, Ecosystems and Landscapes in a Changing World - University of New England, Armidale, Australia
    Duration: 5 Feb 20179 Feb 2017
    https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-science-agriculture-business-and-law/school-of-environmental-and-rural-science/ers-news-and-events/restore-regenerate-revegetate-conference-2017

    Conference

    ConferenceRestore Regenerate Revegetate Conference 2017
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CityArmidale
    Period5/02/179/02/17
    Internet address

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