The clear-felling of sand-dune plantations: Soil and vegetational processes in habitat restoration

Abstract

Sand-dune pine plantations often have little conservation value. This paper examines vegetation and soil changes following clear-felling, and management strategies for the restoration of near-natural sand-dune habitats. A common response to clear-felling is the rapid establishment of a weed community characterised in Britain by Senecio spp. and Chamerion angustifolium, which is associated with vigorous growth and high initial levels of available nutrients. This community may gradually be invaded and replaced by typical dune species; however, in older plantations with more litter the ruderal flora is often replaced by a bryophyte and lichen community, and a tendency towards pine Pinus regeneration and invasion by Betula spp. is observed. C. angustifolium, which is capable of efficient nutrient cycling, and Carex arenaria persisted as local dominants on these deep litter layers. This was associated with a phase of nutrient immobilisation. Needle-litter modifies the sand-dune soil by retaining nutrients and soil moisture. It inhibits germination from the sand-dune seed-bank and contains a seed-bank of ruderal species. Litter removal can accelerate the change to a near-natural sand-dune habitat. Although it may not be possible to restore the original dune flora following clear-felling a dune plantation, it may be feasible to create one which is very similar, or even to create a vegetation type not previously present at the site but still with greater value for conservation than a pine plantation.