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Testing the importance of native plants in facilitation the restoration of coastal plant communities dominated by exotics
Published Date 15 June 2014, Vol.322:19–26,doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2014.03.020 Author
Xianzhao Liu a,b,
Yuanchang Lu a,,
Yang Xue c,
Xiongqing Zhang d,
aResearch Institute of Forest Resource Information Techniques, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, PR China
bKey Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 10091, PR China
cLaboratory of Ecological Research, Forestry Science Institute, Hainan 571100, PR China
dResearch Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, PR China
Received 13 September 2013. Revised 8 March 2014. Accepted 11 March 2014. Available online 6 April 2014.
Highlights
Tree species interactions in tropical coastal forests remains unclear, South China.
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We view these as driving force for tropical coastal forest restoration.
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Monoculture stands could be enhanced by positive interactions of native species.
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These results used to determine suitable management strategies for coastal forest restoration.
Abstract Casuarina equisetifoliawas introduced to China in 1897 from Australia to reduce coastal erosion. It grows vigorously and has spread over much of the southern and southeastern coast, from Zhejiang to Guangxi, over a range of more than 10° of latitude. To date, little is known about its interactions with native species in the coastal zone. We used a field experiment to study how the understorey species diversity and soil conditions in monoculture stands ofC. equisetifoliawere influenced by different native plant species. We also examined the effects of interplanting native species on plant numbers, leaf area index (LAI), and aboveground biomass accumulation. We planted three native species (Hibiscus tiliaceus, Melia azedarachandCalophyllum inophyllum) at two initial densities in stands ofC. equisetifolia. Over a period of ten years, the density and aboveground biomass were relatively low in plots planted with three native species compared to plots that were not planted. In contrast, understory diversity and soil conditions were relatively high where native species were added. Moreover, the number of dead tree, aboveground biomass increment, and diameter growth had significant difference among different native tree species because of their different natural characteristics. The fast-growing pioneer species,M. azedarach, had a positive effect on LAI, regeneration, shrub diversity and grass coverage than the other two native species, andM. azedarachwas most effective in plots that were initially planted with higher densities. The pioneer plantH. tiliaceushad more individuals and greater aboveground biomass than others native species. The later-succession speciesC. inophyllumhad the smallest effect on the development of understory vegetation and soil conditions over 10-yrs among three native plants. For different native planted species,M. azedarachshowed good effects on the average annual aboveground biomass and DBH increment, andC. inophyllumhad the least dead number in coastal environments. In summary,C. equisetifoliaand native species have facilitation relationships that differ according to the species, and coastal conservation managers should shift from their traditional focus onC. equisetifoliaafforestation to the recognition of multi-species configuration.
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