Recovery of woody plant species richness in secondary forests in China: a meta-analysis

Xiaofei Liu,Xuehua Liu,Claude Garcia,Andrew Skidmore

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10898-7

Abstract

There is considerable uncertainty concerning changes in plant diversity of Chinese secondary forests, particularly with respect to diversity recovery following anthropogenic disturbance. Here we present a meta-analysis of the recovery of woody plant species richness in secondary forests in China, with nearby primary forests as a reference. A total of 125 pairs of secondary-primary forest data reported in 55 publications were identified across China. We analyzed the data by region and logging history to examine their influences on secondary forest recovery. Our results indicated that the woody plant richness of secondary forests in China was close to fully recovered when compared to the primary forest, with the recovery ratio being 85–103%. Higher recovery ratios were observed in central, northeast and southwest China, with lower recovery ratios seen in east, south and northwest China, and the recovery in central China significantly reached the primary forests (reference) level. Concerning logging histories, the recovery ratios showed two peak values, with one at 21–40 years after clear cutting and the other at 61–80 years. We reveal the fundamental recovery patterns of woody plant species richness in secondary forests in China. These patterns provide information for the sustainable management of secondary forest resources.

Highlights

The future of forests in the Anthropocene depends on the equilibrium between competing processes of forest recovery and human deforestation[1]
In China, to what extent has the woody plant species richness of secondary forests recovered from anthropogenic disturbance? Our meta-analysis showed that, using primary forests as a reference, the woody plant richness of secondary forests in China was close to fully recovered, with the recovery ratio being 85–103% (Fig. 3)
Regions Overall Northeast Northwest Central East Southwest South Logging histories Selective cutting Clear cutting Overall 80 years n p(Q-df) across China, we show for the first time, on a national scale, that woody plant richness of secondary forests has recovered to similar values associated with primary forests in China

Summary

Introduction

The future of forests in the Anthropocene depends on the equilibrium between competing processes of forest recovery and human deforestation[1]. Ecosystem recovery following anthropogenic disturbances is increasingly occurring worldwide, either naturally or induced by human[3, 4]. In these ecosystems the estimation of biodiversity recovery is critical[3] and the loss of biosphere integrity is one of the planetary boundaries that has been crossed[5]. No meta-analysis on the plant richness recovery in secondary forests in China has been undertaken previously. In China, to what extent has the woody plant richness of secondary forests recovered from anthropogenic disturbance? What are the spatial and temporal patterns of woody plant richness recovery in secondary forests in China? In China, to what extent has the woody plant richness of secondary forests recovered from anthropogenic disturbance? Second, what are the spatial and temporal patterns of woody plant richness recovery in secondary forests in China? We hope this study could provide information for the sustainable management of secondary forest resources

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion