Journal
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
Volume 63, Issue -, Pages 143-152Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.12.106
Keywords
Lowland fens and bogs; Human impact; Ecosystem services; Open wetlands woodlands transition; Vanishing peatland species; Poland
Funding
- Polish Ministry for Science and Higher Education [N305 091 32/3125]
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We investigated the plant species diversity in patches with natural non-forest vegetation (NN), with forest communities that had developed where there was a spontaneous succession of vegetation (called: natural forests, NF), and with planted forests (PF) within cut-over peatlands located in central Poland. We studied (1) how diverse is plant composition in actively managed and in abandoned cut-over peatland areas, (2) how does afforestation influence wetland species composition, and (3) does natural plant succession in abandoned cut-over peatlands favour peatland regeneration and the maintenance of typical peatland species. We also defined the ecosystem services (with special attention to supporting services) and we analysed the conflicts and synergies of two cut-over peatland utilization options (abandonment and conventional forestry). An ANOVA test was used to analyse statistical differences in the diversity index, phytosociological units and Ellenberg index. Ecological conditions of NN, NF and PF were described on the base of Ellenberg indicator values (EIVs). A modified permutation test using mean randomized ElVs was used to check the significant differences in Ellenberg values. The results show that the vegetation of NN, NF and PF areas differ significantly in mean number of species, Shannon diversity and evenness index. The analyses of Ellenberg values indicated that the light and moisture conditions of NN, NF and PF differ markedly. The development of forest cover, both natural and anthropogenically created, leads to an increase in plants species diversity. However, the encroachment of numerous shade-tolerant forest species does not compensate for the reduction in characteristic peatland species. The afforestation of degraded peatland areas may be an option for management, but in every single case the decision for afforestation ought to be preceded by the recognition of the initial state of the species richness of degraded and potentially managed wetland. The most valuable wetlands with preserved peatlands flora should be actively restored for biodiversity conservation. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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