Abstract
Mid- and long-term monitoring of restoration projects have to be performed, as short-term evaluations do not give comprehensive information about their outcomes. In this study, we assessed the results of a forest restoration project, implemented in former road builder’s yards. We evaluated the recovery of the soil’s physical and chemical properties, the effectiveness and naturalness of sward restoration, and the success of woody species planting. Our hypotheses were that soil–plant interaction strongly influenced the restoration dynamics. The areas were restored in 2016. In 2014, we collected data from 28 restored areas. Eight years after the restoration, the physical and chemical properties of the soil indicated good quality. Suitable soil conditions were reflected in the herbaceous vegetation cover, which was higher than 60% in all the areas. The sown mixture successfully contained spontaneous species, and perennials prevailed over annuals, indicating stability in the composition of the sward. Alien species cover (generally < 10%) was controlled by sown species. Sown species also outcompeted ruderal and typical grassland species, reducing the naturalness of the herbaceous layer. Tree and shrub growth was low, and soil properties did not affect their height. Our results underline the importance of sowing an herbaceous species mixture in degraded areas in order to efficiently restore the soil cover and to reduce the colonization of alien species. Moreover, in our study, we showed how soil properties differently affected plant species groups.
Highlights
The aim of restoration ecology is to counteract human impact on the environment, through the creation of an ecosystem that is self-supporting and resilient to future disturbances [1]
We assessed the results of a forest restoration project, implemented in former road builder’s yards
The sown herbaceous mixture was the key to success for sward restoration
Summary
The aim of restoration ecology is to counteract human impact on the environment, through the creation of an ecosystem that is self-supporting and resilient to future disturbances [1] To accomplish this aim, throughout restoration planning it is necessary to identify both the abiotic factors (e.g., water table, microclimatic conditions, physical and chemical properties of the soil) that have to be restored and the herbaceous, shrub, and tree species suitable for the restoration of the ecosystem [2,3,4,5]. Most studies try to assess forest restoration success by measuring species diversity, vegetation structure, and ecological processes (e.g., nutrient cycling, soil organic matter, mycorrhizae) [9,10]. Measures of these parameters provide useful information about the dynamics occurring in the ecosystem. They help in predicting future pathways and give information about processes and cycles necessary for habitat stability over time [11]
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