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

eleve. A subjectively chosen plot to sample relatively homogeneous plant
communities
rescue effect. Immigration of individuals likely to reproduce, thereby saving
a local population from extinction
resilience. Capacity to recover following disturbance
restoration. Returning the land to its exact (sensu stricto) or approximate
(sensu lato) biological status
retrogressive. See trajectory
riparian. Pertaining to growth along a river corridor
ruderal. A weedy plant that colonizes recent disturbances
safe site. A microsite where seeds have an enhanced chance to lodge, germinate
and establish
seral stage. One successional stage (see sere)
sere. A successional sequence, including all (seral) stages
stability. A community characteristic expressing lack of change or resistance
to disturbance
stochasticity. Unpredictability
succession. Species change over time
primary succession. Species change following removal of most plants and
soil
secondary succession. Species change following a disturbance that leaves soil
layers relatively intact
spontaneous succession. Unmanipulated succession, as in abandonment (in
lieu of purposeful restoration activities)
threshold. A point at which a small change in a driving variable can cause a
large, potentially irreversible change in the state of an ecosystem
trajectory. The temporal path of vegetation from its initiation to stability
arrested. The development of a sere is delayed in response to factors such
as dominance by one species
convergent. A sere develops increasing similarity to a local mature community
or two seres become increasingly similar
divergent. Two communities become increasing dissimilar over time
progressive. An increase in stature, biomass or biodiversity over time
retrogressive. A reduction in stature, biomass or biodiversity of an ecosystem
due to erosion, leaching of nutrients or other disturbance
Glossary 185