Loss of a single tree species will lead to an overall decline in plant diversity: Effect of Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. on the vegetation of Socotra Island

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F62156489%3A43410%2F16%3A43909457" target="_blank" >RIV/62156489:43410/16:43909457 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.02.016" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.02.016</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.02.016" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.biocon.2016.02.016</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Loss of a single tree species will lead to an overall decline in plant diversity: Effect of Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. on the vegetation of Socotra Island

Original language description

Dracaena cinnabari, the dominant endemic tree of Socotra Island (Yemen), is in serious decline. The effect this will have on the island's plant diversity remains unknown. We aimed to identify plants associated with Dracaena understorey and assess the importance of Dracaena for maintaining plant diversity. A total of 272 releves were sampled in Dracaena understorey and in open sites to record the number of individuals of vascular plants. Species richness and composition were compared between understorey and open sites, and species associated with each of these habitats were identified. Additionally, the effect of canopy closure on species richness and abundance was analysed. We also recorded woody species composition of Dracaena stands and investigated spatial relations between Dracaena and other mature woody plants. Understorey plant species composition differed from open site composition. The former habitat showed higher beta-diversity and species richness. Among recorded plants, 15 species were classified as understorey specialists, 6 as open-site specialists, and 23 as generalists. Rare species, especially endemics, were more common in the understorey. Canopy closure had differential effect on species abundances among the species classes. Species richness and total abundance were found to be highest in the understorey, particularly in the case of low-to-intermediate canopy closure where understorey and open-site specialists may co-occur. For mature woody plant species, Dracaena was spatially independent from other woody species at most distances. Our results suggest that the decline of Dracaena may negatively affect plant diversity, reduce abundance of rare endemic plants and lead to homogenization of vegetation. As no other tree species exists in the study area which could replace the Dracaena, our findings underline the importance of conservation efforts to preserve Dracaena stands on Socotra.

Czech name

—

Czech description

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Type

J_x - Unclassified - Peer-reviewed scientific article (Jimp, Jsc and Jost)

CEP classification

EH - Ecology - communities

OECD FORD branch

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Project

<a href="/en/project/EE2.3.20.0004" target="_blank" >EE2.3.20.0004: Creation and development of multidisciplinary team on the basis of landscape ecology</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2016

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Biological Conservation

ISSN

0006-3207

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

196

Issue of the periodical within the volume

April

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

8

Pages from-to

165-172

UT code for WoS article

000375365300019

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-84958957136