Abstract
The use of ecohydrologically suitable microsites, such as sink patches (i.e. zones intercepting and infiltrating runoff) and nurse shrubs, have largely been proposed as tools to improve the establishment of late-successional trees in Mediterranean reclaimed landscapes. Nonetheless, this technique needs to be accurately tested along with the influence of seedling water-use strategy. To that purpose, we monitored the short- and mid-term (i.e. 4 and 8 years, respectively) influence of sink patches and nurse shrubs (Genista scorpius) on seedlings of two species with contrasted water-use strategies, Pinus nigra, a more drought avoider and isohydric species, and Quercus ilex, a more drought tolerant and anisohydric species. In the short term, G. scorpius shrubs enhanced the establishment of seedlings planted in shaded spots under its canopy. This positive interaction was more relevant for Q. ilex in drier years, while P. nigra was more facilitated in wetter years. Sink patches ameliorated the survival of both species, but only promoted greater growth during wetter years. P. nigra seedlings showed a high sensitivity to precipitation reduction. Their survival and growth were strongly constrained in dry years, resulting in a very high cumulative mortality at the end of the 8-year study period regardless of the microsite the seedlings were planted in. Q. ilex showed better seedling performance than P. nigra in the mid-term, keeping also the positive effects of suitable microsites on plant survival in the mid-term, after 8 years of plantation. Our results support the use of suitable microsites that ameliorate ecohydrological conditions as key spots for enhancing ecological succession in reclaimed mining sites, particularly the use of G. scorpius as nurse shrub for improving Q. ilex seedling establishment and growth. Our results also suggest that seedling functional strategy to cope with drought is a critical factor conditioning the overall plantation performance in the mid-term. Thus, seedling water-use strategy should constitute a key species selection criteria in future restoration programs focused on Mediterranean ecosystems, especially under climate change.
Highlights
Tree planting and forest restoration have been recently examined among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation (Bastin et al, 2019; Veldman et al, 2019)
Our results support the use of suitable microsites that ameliorate ecohydrological conditions as key spots for enhancing ecological succession in reclaimed mining sites, the use of G. scorpius as nurse shrub for improving Q. ilex seedling establishment and growth
In reclaimed mining Mediterranean dry en vironments, suitable microsites like sink patches and nurse shrubs enhanced late-successional tree seedling establishment
Summary
Tree planting and forest restoration have been recently examined among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation (Bastin et al, 2019; Veldman et al, 2019). Passive regeneration from nearby areas with pristine vegetation has been usually regarded as an effective, low-cost tool to restore native species in mining settings (Alday et al, 2016; MartínezRuiz et al, 2007; Prach et al, 2013; Prach and Hobbs, 2008; Prach and Pysek, 2001). This option is not feasible for reclaimed areas located far from natural seed sources, which require active reforestation practices for introducing late-successional woody species
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