The most recent surveys in South Africa estimate that invasions are still increasing, despite substantial clearing efforts. Riparian systems in South Africa are particularly vulnerable to invasion by woody IAPs. This thesis addresses the restoration of alien‐invaded riparian systems, by investigating the factors that facilitate or constrain spontaneous recovery and influence the trajectories of succession. These factors include invasion history and management history, especially the use of fire. A seedling emergence approach was used to test the presence of a viable pre‐fire seedbank, and the effect of fire on the seed bank. The efficacy of some active restoration interventions was also tested, with the aim to return invasion‐resistant, indigenous vegetation with a structure and function representative of uninvaded sites. The findings of this study indicated the presence of a viable and persistent riparian soil seed bank, even after 30 years of intermtittent invasion as well as two fire cycles under invasion. It shows that the management practice of fell‐and‐burn resulted in high soil temperatures, and that this reduced the indigenous soil seed bank density, especially in the upper soil layer. Clear germination sequences and patterns of emergence over time for different species were observed during this study, with many species exhibiting delayed emergence relative to the timing of the fire event. It is proposed that manipulation of the season of fire could be used to selectively optimise the order of arrival and therefore superior recruitment of some species over others in the Eastern Cape fynbos, and thus alter the trajectories of recovery of vegetation towards a more desired state. Active restoration in the form of indigenous seed and plant additions resulted in a significantly higher indigenous cover after seven months, compared to a control (passive restoration) or restoring with grass. Indigenous cover and composition was also strongly influenced by lateral zonation, and some key guilds and species were missing or present in much lower densities compared to reference sites. Grass restoration significantly suppressed the regeneration of A. longifolia, as well as the regeneration of indigenous species. Biotic resistance can thus be achieved through restoration, and it could be a powerful tool in the management of IAPs, although the deliberate introduction of grass after clearing in fynbos also reduces biodiversity and could have unforeseen consequences to riparian function.

Orientadores: Carlos Alfredo Joly, Flavio Antonio Maës dos Santos / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T11:17:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vinha_Daniella_D.pdf: 19806435 bytes, checksum: af3818b4640c3acda5f09a0580ff9346 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Estudos prévios demonstraram baixa sazonalidade na frutificação em florestas tropicais não-sazonais, o que poderia influenciar o padrão temporal e espacial da chuva de sementes e do banco de sementes. Entretanto, esses processos não são conhecidos. O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar como ocorre a regeneração natural via sementes em uma floresta tropical Montana no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar. Foram testadas as hipóteses: (1) a sazonalidade na chuva de sementes é fraca ou ausente e esse padrão não se diferencia dentro dos modos de dispersão; (2) o banco de sementes é florísticamente relacionado com a chuva de sementes e espacialmente acoplado; (3) o banco de sementes apresenta baixa sazonalidade e esse padrão não difere dentro dos modos de dispersão. Em 2 hectares de floresta, nós registramos o total de 29959-62904 diásporos na chuva de sementes (104-106 spp.), 1029-2999 diásporos no banco de sementes da serapilheira (36-38 spp.) e 6288-7824 plântulas no banco de sementes do solo (74-82 spp.) ao longo de dois anos. Asteraceae, Urticaceae e Melastomataceae foram abundantes na chuva de sementes (63-81%), no banco de sementes da serapilheira (70-73%) e no banco de sementes do solo (77-84%). A maior riqueza de espécies foi de arbóreas na chuva de sementes (59-61%) e banco de sementes da serapilheira (72-68%), e de herbáceas no banco de sementes do solo (ca. 55%). Houve maior proporção de sementes arbóreas em todas as vias de regeneração, assim como maior riqueza de espécies zoocóricas (mais de 50%). Entretanto, a anemocoria contribuiu com a maior proporção do total de sementes no banco de sementes do solo (ca. 75%) e da chuva de sementes de uma das áreas (64%). Houve sazonalidade na chuva de sementes com um único pico na abundância (Out-Nov). Esse padrão foi reforçado pela sazonalidade na abundância e riqueza de espécies da chuva de sementes anemocórica e zoocórica, ambas ocorrendo no período de maior precipitação. A chuva de sementes influenciou a composição de espécies das sementes contidas na serapilheira e no solo. Entretanto, o acoplamento espacial entre as vias de regeneração ocorreu somente em uma das áreas. O banco de sementes não apresentou variações na composição florística e houve fraca variação temporal na densidade e riqueza de espécies, repercutindo igualmente dentro dos modos de dispersão. Esse estudo demonstrou que a chuva de sementes pode ser sazonal em condições de baixa sazonalidade ambiental, independente do modo de dispersão das sementes. A relação entre composição da chuva de sementes e das sementes contidas na serapilheira e no solo revela que essas vias são interligadas e dependentes entre si, resultando em padrões espaciais agrupados. Como resultado, a baixa variação temporal do banco de sementes não pode ser atribuída à baixa sazonalidade na chuva de sementes. O fato de não haver acúmulo de sementes no solo após o período de dispersão sugere o baixo tempo de permanência das sementes. Por outro lado, a falta de acoplamento espacial em uma das áreas sugere processos de pós-dispersão atuando na reestruturação espacial do banco de sementes / Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated low seasonality in the fruiting phenology in aseasonal tropical forests, which could influence the spatial and temporal pattern of seed rain and seed bank. However, these processes are poorly known. The aim of this study was to determine seed natural regeneration in an Atlantic tropical Montane forest located in southeast of Brazil, Serra do Mar State Park. The hipotheses were tested: (1) seasonality of seed rain is weak or absent and this pattern is no different within the dispersal modes; (2) the floristic composition of seed bank is closely related with seed rain and there is a spatial association between them; (3) the seed bank has a low seasonality and this pattern is the same within the dispersal modes. In two hectares of forest we recorded total of 29959-62904 seeds in the seed rain (104-106 spp.), 1029-2999 seeds in the litter seed bank (36-38 spp.) and 6288-7824 seedlings in the soil seed bank (78-82 spp.) over two years. Asteraceae, Urticaceae and Melastomataceae were abundant in the seed rain (63-81%), litter seed bank (70-73%) and soil seed bank (77-84%). Trees accounted to higher species richness in the seed rain (59-61%) and litter seed bank (72-68%). Herbaceous were most important to the species richness of soil seed bank (ca. 55%). There were more of tree seeds in all regeneration modes, as well as greater zoochorous species richness (more than 50%). However, anemochory had the largest proportion of total seeds in the soil seed bank (ca. 75%) as well as one of the areas where the seed rain was sampled (64%). There was seasonality of seed rain with a single peak in abundance (Oct-Nov). This pattern was reinforced by seasonality in the anemochorous and zoochorous abundance and species richness of seed rain, both occurring in the period of greatest rainfall. Seed rain influenced the species composition of the seeds in the litter and soil. However, the spatial coupling between the regeneration modes occurred in only one area. The soil seed bank showed no changes in the floristic composition and there was a weak temporal variation in density and species richness reflecting also within in the dispersal syndromes. This study demonstrated that seasonality in seed rain can occur even in tropical forests where environmental seasonality is low, regardless of the manner in which the seeds are dispersed. The relationship between seed rain and seed bank composition (litter and soil) reveals that these pathways are interconnected and dependent on each other, resulting in clustered spatial patterns. As a result, the low temporal variation of soil seed bank can not be attributed to the low seasonality of seed rain. Since there is no seed accumulation in the soil after a period of seed dispersal, short residence time of the seed in the soil is suggested. On the other hand, the lack of spatial association between seed rain and seed bank in one of the areas suggests post-dispersal processes acting in the spatial restructuring of the seed bank / Doutorado / Biologia Vegetal / Doutor em Biologia Vegetal

Aphthona spp. flea beetles were released in the Little Missouri National Grasslands (LMNG) in western North Dakota in 1999 to control leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.). The changes in soil seed bank composition and leafy spurge density were evaluated on two ecological sites five (2004) and ten years (2009) after Aphthona spp. release to monitor the effectiveness of the insects on weed control and associated change in plant communities. In 2009, leafy spurge stem density averaged 2 and 9 stems m-2 in the loamy overflow and loamy sites, respectively, compared to 110 and 78 stems m-2, respectively, in 1999 and 7 and 10 stems m-2, respectively, in 2004. Leafy spurge constituted nearly 67% of the loamy overflow seed bank in 1999 compared to 17% in 2004 and 2% in 2009. In the loamy seedbank, the weed represented nearly 70% in 1999 compared to approximately 11% in 2004 and 15% in 2009. As leafy spurge was reduced, native species diversity and seed count increased ten years following Aphthona spp. release. High-seral species represented 17% of the loamy overflow seedbank in 2009, an increase from 5% in 1999. However, Kentucky bluegrass, a non-target weedy species, increased over 250% in the loamy overflow seedbank from 2004 to 2009. The reestablishment of native plant species has often been slow in areas where leafy spurge was controlled using Aphthona spp. A bioassay was completed to evaluate native grass establishment when grown in soil from Aphthona spp. release and non-release sites throughout North Dakota. Native grass production was not affected when grown in soil collected from established Aphthona spp. sites (1.5 g per pot) compared to soil without insects (1.6 g per pot). The cause of reduced native grass production in sites with Aphthono spp. previously observed is unknown but may have been due to a chemical inhibition caused by the insects within the soil that no longer exists. The native warm-season switchgrass (Ponicum virgotum L.) may be an alternative to corn for efficient biofuel production; however, control of cool-season grassy weeds has been a problem in switchgrass production. Various herbicides were evaluated for smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and quackgrass [Elymus repens (L.) Gould] control in an established switchgrass stand near Streeter, ND and a weed-infested field in Fargo, ND. Switchgrass yield was higher than the control 14 mo after treatment (MAT) when aminocyclopyrachlor or sulfometuron were applied early in the growing season, but no treatment provided satisfactory long-term grassy weed control. Herbicides were reevaluated at increased rates for smooth bromegrass or quackgrass control in Fargo. Sulfometuron provided 99% smooth bromegrass control when applied at 280 g ha-1 in the fall but injured other grass and forb species as well. Sulfometuron would likely be injurious to switchgrass and could not be used for biofuel production. Aminocyclopyrachlor did not injure other grass species but only reduced smooth bromegrass control by 76% when applied at 280 g ha-1 in the fall. No treatment provided satisfactory long-term quackgrass control.

The decline of floodplain vegetation along the Lower River Murray, South Australia, has evoked recommendations for ‘environmental flows’ to restore and maintain the health of the ecosystem. To assist managers to maximize benefits from environmental flows, this thesis considers the significance of water for germination and recruitment in key floodplain plant species. Three dominant species are considered, including two trees, river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and black box (E. largiflorens), and an understorey shrub, tangled lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta). The soil seed bank was dominated by terrestrial annual native plants. Among 1400 seedlings, a single river red gum was found, and no black box or lignum, suggesting that these species do not contribute to the persistent soil seed bank and rely instead on aerial seed banks (serotiny). Sampling of the soil seed bank was continued to determine when seed fall might coincide with appropriate soil moisture conditions. Responses of the soil seed bank to varied water regimes were compared to determine requirements for seedling survival. The results indicated that species richness, rapidity of response and survival time were all promoted by sustained soil moisture. Stands of eucalypts in various states of health (from very stressed to very healthy) were monitored to identify seasonal patterns in bud crops, flowering, fresh leaves and volumes of seed released from the aerial seed bank. Distinct seasonal phenological patterns were apparent, and suggested alternating flowering among individual trees (biennial for red gum, bi-annual for black box), producing an annual peak in summer. Peak seed rain occurred in summer (December–March) in healthy trees for both red gum and black box, with light seed rain continuing throughout the year. Seed fall from stressed trees was much reduced. Stressed trees responded after a second watering event, with much more varied and extended annual seed fall patterns. Lignum showed a spring peak in flowering and seed production. There was a prolific response of flowering and seeding to rainfall, but few seedlings survived. Vigorous vegetative growth occurred in existing plants in response to rainfall and watering but no new cloned plants were found during the study. An investigation of chromosomes as a potential tool to appraise the balance between sexual and asexual reproduction in lignum proved inconclusive, although a previous report of octoploidy in lignum was confirmed. Seeds from all three species and lignum cuttings were tested for their responses to varied watering regimes, based on combinations of simulated rain and flood conditions. The optimal soil moisture for continued growth and survival in all seeds and cuttings was 10 25%, with moisture values <10% causing wilting and death. The results also suggested that red gum and black box seeds which germinate in water under flooded conditions need to be stranded onto moist soil at the water’s edge within 10 days, for the seedling to continue to grow. It was also concluded that germination on rain-moistened soil is a key supplementary mechanism for recruitment, particularly between irregular flood events. For greatest benefit, the timing of environmental flows should complement any seasonal rainfall and irregular flooding that may occur. Extension of suitable soil moisture conditions (10-25%) for as long as possible after >5 mm rainfall, or after over-bank flows, would increase chances for survival of seedlings. December is the most likely month for maximal benefit from watering in the Lower Murray Valley, for germination and recruitment, based on regional rainfall and flooding patterns. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1344528 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2008

South African rangelands in combination with their surrounding homesteads occupy 13% of the entire land surface in South Africa. These rangelands are a source of forage for communal livestock. The rangelands in communal tenure system are degraded due to high human population and livestock numbers. The rangeland of Peddie was never evaluated since the introduction of Nguni Cattle Empowerment Project. Therefore, socio-ecological evaluation was conducted in order to interlink farmer‟s perceptions and scientific data to recommend appropriate rangeland management and restoration programme. Two structured questionnaires consisting of close and open ended questions were used to investigate farmer‟s perceptions on rangeland condition, dynamics, and their causes. Sixty households were randomly selected on the bases of livestock ownership and the membership in Nguni Cattle Project. In each household, any respondent of 20 years or greater, and a key informant of age greater than 40 years were selected. For scientific assessment of range condition, three homogenous vegetation units namely grassland, scattered and dense bushland were demarcated into four 100m x 50m replicates. In each replicate, two 100m transects were laid parallel to each other with 30m equidistant apart. The step point and harvesting method along each transect were employed for herbaceous species composition and biomass production. The point-to-tuft distance was also determined as a proxy for basal cover. Woody density, species composition and tree equivalents were determined in 200m2 belt transects in each HVU replicates. The germination method for soil seed bank evaluation was also employed to find plant species composition and density. The soil nutrients (OC, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn) and pH were analysed through solution preparation and observation under photospectrometer to determine functional capacity of the soil of Peddie rangeland. The farmer‟s perceptions comprised of 63% females and 37% males (n = 120) with a mean household of 8 people, 5 adults and 3 children. It was perceived by 93.3% respondents that the rangeland of Peddie have undergone changes over two decades. These changes were perceived by 83% respondents to be accompanied by decline in livestock numbers. Woody encroachment and overgrazing were perceived to be the major attributes of these vegetation changes. The scientific rangeland condition assessment confirmed that these changes were more pronounced as bush density increases. Dense bushland had a significantly high (p<0.05) encroached condition with 6650 trees ha-1 and 4909.5 TE ha-1 beyond the recommended thresholds of 2400 trees ha-1 and 2500 TE ha-1 respectively. Scattered bushland had a fair condition of 1950 trees ha-1 and 1198.1TE ha-1. Themeda triandra as a key species was significantly higher (p<0.05) in grassland (31.1%) than scattered (15.6%) and dense bushland (6.1%). There was a declining trend in biomass production from grassland to dense bushland. The summer biomass production was significantly higher (p<0.05) in grassland than scattered and dense bushland but winter biomass was not significantly different (p>0.05) from all homogenous vegetation units of Peddie rangeland. However, the soil fertility increased with an increase in bush density except organic carbon (OC) which was 1.61% in grassland, 1.46% in scattered and 1.53% in dense bushland respectively. Soil N, K, P, Mg2+ Na+, Ca2+, Cu, Zn, Mn and pH were significantly higher (p<0.05) in dense bushland than grassland and scattered bushland. High soil fertility in dense bushland may be attributed to by abscission of woody plants and litter decomposition. In the soil seed bank, the abundances of forbs were significantly higher than sedges (χ2 = 12, df = 1, p = 0.001) and grasses (χ2 = 8.333, df = 1, p = 0.004) in all homogenous vegetation units while sedges were not significantly different (χ2 = 3, df = 1, p = 0.083) from grasses. The Sorensen‟s index indicated that soil seed bank and extant vegetation were significantly different (p<0.05). Annual and biennial forbs and sedges had high abundances while perennial grasses formed a bulk in above ground vegetation. This provided an insight that a reliance on soil seed bank for restoration of Peddie rangeland would not be advisable because it can result in retrogression. The communal rangeland assessment provided clear qualitative and quantitative data when the combination of indigenous knowledge and scientific assessments was done. The rationale is that conclusions and recommendations of range assessment are relient on the farmer‟s perceptions pertinent to their livestock production systems and their rangeland management objectives. This study has shown that inclusion of communal farmers in policy making can provide better insight because those are the people experiencing the consequences of range degradation.