Abstract
Abstract Context Loss of woodlands and degradation of vegetation and soil have been described for all Mediterranean-type ecosystems worldwide. In the Western Iberian Peninsula, overexploitation of evergreen cork oak land use systems has led to soil erosion, failures in oak recruitment, and loss of forests. Degraded and dry sites are quickly colonised by pioneer heathland rockrose (Cistus spp.) shrubs forming highly persistent patches. Aims Although traditionally shrublands have been considered as a transient successional state, we present evidence that they can represent persistent alternative states to former cork oak forests. Review trends and conclusions We first describe how Mediterranean vegetation evolved in the Iberian Peninsula and the role of fire and long-term human management as main disturbances. We then discuss alternative pathways through state-and-transition models indicating the ecological and land use variables that halt cork oak regeneration and recruitment and drive vegetation transitions towards persistent shrublands. Unless concerted management actions and restoration programmes are undertaken, the cork oak land use systems will not be sustainable.
Highlights
Mediterranean-type ecosystems evolved through the major geological and climatic changes that took place during the Pliocene and early Pleistocene periods (3.2 to 2.3 million years ago) shaping plant communities that have adapted successfully to natural disturbances and are considered highly resilient
A distinctive Mediterranean land use system dominates the landscape of southern Portugal where cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is the main tree species; this region is the largest cork oak habitat in the world corresponding to approximately 30% of the species area worldwide
We summarise the evidence that Cistus shrublands, characterised by lower plant biomass and diversity than cork oak forests, may represent a persistent vegetation state in areas originally covered by cork oak forests in Portugal and describe the ecological and land use mechanisms underlying the resilience of this system
Summary
Mediterranean-type ecosystems evolved through the major geological and climatic changes that took place during the Pliocene and early Pleistocene periods (3.2 to 2.3 million years ago) shaping plant communities that have adapted successfully to natural disturbances and are considered highly resilient. We summarise the evidence that Cistus shrublands, characterised by lower plant biomass and diversity than cork oak forests, may represent a persistent vegetation state in areas originally covered by cork oak forests in Portugal and describe the ecological and land use mechanisms underlying the resilience of this system. These Cistus shrublands are early successional vegetation assemblages dominated by Cistus spp., pure or mixed with Lavandula, Ulex, and Genista species. We discuss the factors that limit oak recruitment and forest regeneration and contribute to shrubland persistence using a state-and-transition model to describe the dynamics between vegetation states and ecological feedbacks, as a contrasting view to the traditional succession model
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