Management intensity steers the long-term fate of ecological restoration in urban woodlands

Abstract

To test the impact of management intensity on long-term success of ecological restoration in urban forest patches, we analyzed vegetation structure and community composition in 3 large urban parks in New York City, 15–20 years after restoration was initiated by removal of climbing invasive woody plant species and planting of native trees. Analysis using data from 30 plots, 7626 records of species abundance, and > 6000 records of management reveals significant relationships between differences among plant communities of restored plots and intensity of restoration treatment, measured as number of days on which restoration management activities occurred. Less intense management was also more episodic, suggesting that consistent timing is also important to achieving desired long-term outcomes in plant community composition and structure. These findings indicate the importance of site-specific approaches and consistency in ongoing management to long-term positive outcomes of ecological restoration in urban forest patches.