Vegetation Dynamics - Ecosystem Management, Conservation, and Protection

Abstract

This book entitled Vegetation Dynamics – Ecosystem Management, Conservation, and Protection has eight chapters, four related to vegetation dynamics and four related to monitoring and management. In the introductory chapter, Ana Cristina Gonçalves and Teresa Fidalgo Fonseca discussed the importance of species traits and sites in the sustainability of the forest systems as well as the importance of monitoring, modelling and management. Mariana Niculescu discussed the effects of the changes in management practices, invasive species, climate change and mining on meadows and forest systems in Romania. The author pinpointed the effects of unsuitable management on the sustainability of the agroforestry systems. Overall, maintaining agroforestry sustainability, with suitable management practices, would enable regenerating vegetation. Arvid Odland evaluated the effect of water reduction on forest floodplain wetlands. The species proportion and cover were influenced by its capacity for flowering and fruiting, which were also related to the temperature and water level. This review highlighted the importance of long-term studies as vegetation dynamics evolve slowly over time. Mallem Hamida evaluated the effect of vegetation on soil rehabilitation in pre-desert conditions, particularly in wind erosion mitigation and soil properties improvement in Algeria. Vegetation enhanced dune stabilisation due to its impact on wind erosion, and vegetation improved soil properties. However, variations were found when different species were compared. António L. Crespí et al. explored the concept of vegetation robustness and proposed a methodological approach to characterise the functional traits of vegetation and their potential correlation with environmental factors. The study indicated that the resilience of these areas was influenced by their resistance and was linked to environmental variability, particularly geomorphological and climatic factors. Damien Hicks reviewed the influence of sampling vegetation and a set of quantitative tools to analyse data. It included the optimisation protocols to enable the use of data for different analyses, from multivariate analysis to complex statistical analysis of data with network structure, machine learning methods and Bayesian methods. Fonseca et al. conducted a comprehensive review of the traits, silviculture and management of Pseudotsuga menziesii in Portugal. The authors analysed the area potentially suitable for establishing stands of this species in Portugal, as well as its potential growth and wood properties. Iglesias et al. discussed the effects of pure, even-aged plantations of Eucalyptus globulus and invasive species on biodiversity and using an invasive species (Phytolacca americana) to produce pulp and paper. The physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of Phytolacca americana confirmed that the species is suitable for producing paper in a pulp blend of the two species.