ISSN:
1573-5052
Keywords:
Beta diversity
;
Disturbance
;
Landscape
;
Multidimensional scaling
;
Ordination
;
Pattern
;
Reclamation
;
Rehabilitation
;
Trajectory
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The initial floristic composition and structure of vegetation on a recontoured surface mine in southwestern Wyoming was experimentally manipulated to test ideas concerning successional convergence. Experimental treatments involving the planting pattern and density of shrubs and the storage of topsoil were evaluated on the basis of their ability to divert the successional trajectories of the redeveloping vegetation and to increase species diversity. The change in compositional similarity along a topographic gradient was also monitored. The influence of initial composition and soil storage generally declined with time; successional convergence among treatments over the four years of the study was largely monotonic. The planting of shrubs and the storage of topsoil did, however, influence the rate of plant succession. There were no persistent differences in alpha diversity among the experimental treatments. Compositional dissimilarity along the topographic gradient, as expressed by beta diversity, increased with time.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00031848
Permalink
