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Topographic thresholds for plant colonization on semi-arid eroded slopes

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

BOCHET, E.
Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación, Univ., Valencia, Espagne
Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación, Univ., Valencia, Espagne
POESEN, J.
Physical and Regional Geography Research Group, Katholieke Univ., Leuven, Belgique


Description :
In this paper, the AA. study the mechanisms that control plant colonization on semi-arid eroded slopes in the basin of the Alfambra River (Teruel, east Spain) by (i) determining topographic thresholds for plant colonization, (ii) identifying the soil properties limiting plant establishment and (iii) assessing whether colonizing species have specific plant traits to cope with these limitations. Since soil erosion and water availability can limit plant establishment and both can interact in the landscape, they analysed variations in colonization success (vegetation cover and species number) with slope angle on 156 slopes, as a function of slope aspect. The results are discussed in the perspective of a more efficient ecological restoration of degraded semi-arid ecosystems where soil erosion acts as an ecological filter for plant establishment.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2009, vol. 34, n°. 13, p. 1758-1771, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 1,5 p.

Date :
2009

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais
Droits :
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