Plant Traits as Predictors of Performance in Ecological Restoration

Authors:
Pywell, R.F., J.M. Bullock, D.B. Roy, L. Warman, K.J. Walker and P. Rothery

Publication Date:
2003

Abstract/Summary:
This study has important implications for practical restoration programmes and policies. Efficiency might be increased by introducing only species with good performance, but this would lead to uniformity among restored grasslands and would diminish the benefits of habitat restoration for national and regional biodiversity. Future work should focus on practical methods to increase the successful establishment of the poor performing but desirable species, by (i) targeting restoration to low fertility soils, (ii) changing the abiotic environment or (iii) the ‘phased introduction’ of species several years after restoration, when both the plant community is more stable and the environmental conditions are more favourable for establishment.

Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article

Source:
Journal of Applied Ecology

Link:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2003.00762.x/asset/j.1365-2664.2003.00762.x.pdf?v=1&t=j1h98nzm&s=78d6671d2c736a2d167a97660d4e233a20eb5c6f&systemMessage=Pay+Per+View+on+Wiley+Online+Library+will+be+unavailable+on+Saturday+15th+April+from+12%3A00-09%3A00+EDT+for+essential+maintenance.++Apologies+for+the+inconvenience.