Linking Restoration and Ecological Succession (Springer ... - Inecol

114 Joachim Schrautzer et al.
Alder carr,
mesotrophic (1A)
Land-use intensification
Abandonment
Rewetting
Species protection (high restoration potential)
Species protection (low restoration potential)
mean species number
NPP/transpiration
NPP/soil resp.
N-balance
NPP
100 %
80
60
40
20
0
-20
-40
C-balance
Sere A Sere B Sere C Re-wetting
Small sedge reed (3)
Tall sedge reed,
mesotrophic (2A)
N-net mineralization
N-leaching
Denitrification
Micr. soil respiration
Wet meadow,
mesotrophic (4A)
Wet meadow,
mesotrophic (SSII)
Alder carr, drained,
mesotr. (SS IV)
Wet meadow,
eutrophic (4B)
Wet meadow,
eutrophic (SSII)
Alder carr, drained,
eutr. (SS IV)
Wet pasture (5)
Tall sedge reed,
eutrophic (2B)
Alder carr,
eutrophic (1B)
Figure 5.11 Amoeba diagrams to illustrate changes of the indicator values representing ecosystem functions during
retrogressive succession following land-use intensification, and progressive succession following abandonment.
Stages as in Fig. 5.1. Highest parameter values for all successional stages were set as 100%. Negative values
(C-, N-balances) characterize the systems as nutrient sinks. Successional stages III of seres A, B, and C are not
presented.
systems to alder carrs leads to higher nitrogen and carbon losses from the soil due
to increased mineralization. The higher carbon storage in the woody phytomass
of the ecosystems is restricted to the initial growth phase of these forests. It is
difficult to predict when the development to alder carrs starts in abandoned wet
meadows. Long-term observations have shown that late successional stages of
abandoned wet meadows can remain stable for more than five decades due to
missing disturbances. On the other hand, we detected a short-term development
(5–10 years) of drained alder carrs mainly in previously grazed fens. These
relationships should be taken into account if the implementation of large-scale
grazing in fen areas is planned, because local undergrazing, which is a target
of this nature conservation concept, can lead to a quick development of alder
carrs (unpublished data, B. Holsten, Ecology Centre of Kiel). Furthermore,
recommended management activities, such as planting alders to enhance carbon
storage capacity of fens, has to be avoided if it is not possible to raise water
levels in the degraded areas.