Vegetation patterns along agricultural land abandonment in the Balkans

Question: What are the woody vegetation encroachment patterns after agricultural land abandonment? Focusing on two parameters, woody plant species richness and vertical vegetation heterogeneity (number of different vegetation strata and their relative cover) we investigated: (a) the effect of forest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of vegetation science 2018-09, Vol.29 (5), p.877-886
Main Authors: Zakkak, Sylvia, Radovic, Andeja, Panitsa, Maria, Vassilev, Kiril, Shuka, Lulëzim, Kuttner, Michael, Schindler, Stefan, Kati, Vassiliki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abandoned land
Agricultural land
Agricultural practices
Animal species
Biodiversity
Data collection
diversity conservation
Elevation
Encroachment
Flowers & plants
Forests
grazing
Heterogeneity
land abandonment
Landscape
Parameters
Plant diversity
Plants (botany)
Preservation
rural landscapes
Site selection
Species diversity
Species richness
succession
Ungulates
Vegetation
Vegetation cover
vegetation encroachment
Vegetation patterns
Wildlife conservation
Woody plants
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Summary:Question: What are the woody vegetation encroachment patterns after agricultural land abandonment? Focusing on two parameters, woody plant species richness and vertical vegetation heterogeneity (number of different vegetation strata and their relative cover) we investigated: (a) the effect of forest encroachment following land abandonment; (b) the comparative importance of forest encroachment vis-a-vis top-ographic and climatic parameters, and finally: (c) the ecological importance of eight land-cover types encountered in abandoned agricultural landscapes. Location: The Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece). Methods: We set up a standard methodology for 1 × 1 km site selection (70 sites) and data collection within 497 plots, along a well-defined forest encroachment gradient that reflects land abandonment in terms of woody vegetation cover. Results: The pattern that emerged was neither clear nor common for the Balkan region, regarding the effect of forest encroachment on the woody plant species richness in young forests, formed from 20 to 50 years after land abandonment. However, at national level, species diversity was significantly affected by elevation (Bulgaria and Croatia) and temperature (Croatia), with lower and cooler areas being richer. Elevation was of great importance in determining vertical vegetation heterogeneity. Woodlots, broad-leaved forests, hedges and shrublands held the highest woody species richness in comparison to the more open land-cover types, and vertical vegetation heterogeneity was higher in open forests and woodlots. Conclusions: We expect the expansion of broad-leaved forests following land abandonment to enhance woody species richness. However, other land-cover types that were found to be important for woody plants should be maintained. As woody plants play a key role in supporting overall biodiversity, by providing suitable habitat for many species, we consider the preservation of a mosaic of patches of different landcover types essential for the conservation of both plant and animal species diversity. Young forests should be preserved at intermediate stages of succession, through intermediate disturbance activities, including medium intensity grazing and the enhancement of wild ungulates.
ISSN:1100-9233
1654-1103
DOI:10.1111/jvs.12670