The Experts below are selected from a list of 13242 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Annette Baattruppedersen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
Emma Gothe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
Allan Timmermann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
Kathrin Januschke - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
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structural and functional responses of floodplain vegetation to stream ecosystem Restoration
Hydrobiologia, 2016Co-Authors: Emma Gothe, Allan Timmermann, Kathrin Januschke, Annette BaattruppedersenAbstract:Most river Restoration projects have applied relatively small-scale Measures focused on improving specific instream conditions, with only limited outcomes for biodiversity in rivers and their adjacent riparian habitats. Here, we investigate the effects of both small- and large-scale Restoration projects on floodplain vegetation across 20 European catchments. We focused on the roles of different Restoration parameters (i.e., the number, spatial extent and type of Restoration Measure applied and Restoration age) and specific environmental characteristics in regulating changes in plant diversity and trait composition following Restoration. Among Restoration characteristics, Restoration type was the only significant determinant of plant community responses, with stream channel widening having the strongest effects, particularly on the diversity and composition of species traits favoured by increases in physical disturbance (e.g. flooding) and open habitat patch availability (e.g. plant growth form, life strategy and life span). Of the environmental variables, altitude and discharge were positively and most strongly related to responses of both species and trait diversity. Our results emphasise the value of (i) choosing relevant Restoration Measures that affect environmental conditions of importance for the target organism group and (ii) conducting Restoration projects in environmental settings where the likelihood of Restoration “success” is maximised.
Pål Axel Olsson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Topsoil removal enhances plant target species occurrence in sandy calcareous grassland
Flora, 2019Co-Authors: Natalie D. Henriksson, Sofia Hydbom, Barbara Christine Schmid, Pål Axel OlssonAbstract:Abstract Species-rich sandy calcareous grasslands are threatened by land use change, eutrophication and acidification. Disturbance is vital for the persistence of characteristic sandy calcareous grassland species because it provides habitats with low competition, and can lead to increased pH and decreased nutrient availability, which favour many threatened species. Today many sandy calcareous grasslands lack a proper disturbance regime. The outcome of topsoil removal, applied as Restoration Measure, was investigated in a multi-site study. Successful Restoration was associated with colonisation of plants representing conservation target species, as well as increased pH and reduced amounts of nutrients and organic matter. The impact of topsoil removal on plant species composition and soil properties was examined, with adjacent degraded plots serving as controls. Non-degraded target vegetation was included as reference areas. Restored plots had a significantly higher mean proportion of target species compared to control plots. However, control plots had higher species richness. Topsoil removal increased the pH value and decreased contents of ammonium and organic matter in the newly established topsoil layer, while no effect was seen on nitrate, phosphate and lime. Restored plots had a high cover of bare sand, but in contrast to target plots, a rather low proportion of forbs in relation to graminoids. Control plots had a higher vegetation cover, mainly represented by graminoids, forbs and the dwarf shrub species Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. Our study suggests that topsoil removal is an effective Restoration Measure due to its positive influence on soil characteristics and target species. However, the degraded sandy grasslands that were chosen as controls in this study should also be recognised as important habitats with conservation values due to the high species richness, suggesting that a mosaic pattern of the different successional stages is desirable.
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soil disturbance as a grassland Restoration Measure effects on plant species composition and plant functional traits
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Tim Krone Schnoor, Hans Henrik Bruun, Pål Axel OlssonAbstract:Soil disturbance is recognized as an important driver of biodiversity in dry grasslands, and can therefore be implemented as a Restoration Measure. However, because community re-assembly following disturbance includes stochastic processes, a focus only on species richness or establishment success of particular species will not inform on how plant communities respond ecologically to disturbance. We therefore evaluated vegetation development following disturbance by quantifying species richness, species composition and functional trait composition. Degraded calcareous sandy grassland was subjected to experimental disturbance treatments (ploughing or rotavation), and the vegetation was surveyed during four subsequent years of succession. Treated plots were compared with control plots representing untreated grassland, as well as nearby plots characterized by plant communities representing the Restoration target. Species richness and functional diversity both increased in response to soil disturbance, and rotavation, but not ploughing, had a persistent positive effect on the occurrence of specialist species of calcareous sandy grassland. However, no type of soil disturbance caused the plant species composition to develop towards the target vegetation. The disturbance had an immediate and large impact on the vegetation, but the vegetation developed rapidly back towards the control sites. Plant functional composition analysis indicated that the treatments created habitats different both from control sites and target sites. Community-weighted mean Ellenberg indicator values suggested that the observed plant community response was at least partially due to an increase in nitrogen and water availability following disturbance. This study shows that a mild type of disturbance, such as rotavation, may be most successful in promoting specialist species in calcareous sandy grassland, but that further treatments are needed to reduce nutrient availability. We conclude that a functional trait based analysis provides additional information of the vegetation response and the abiotic conditions created, complementing the information from the species composition.