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

Kód výsledku v 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>

Výsledek na webu

<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>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

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

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

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.

Název v anglickém jazyce

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

Popis výsledku anglicky

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.

Druh

J_x - Nezařazeno - Článek v odborném periodiku (Jimp, Jsc a Jost)

CEP obor

EH - Ekologie – společenstva

OECD FORD obor

—

Projekt

<a href="/cs/project/EE2.3.20.0004" target="_blank" >EE2.3.20.0004: Vytvoření a rozvoj multidisciplinárního týmu na platformě krajinné ekologie</a><br>

Návaznosti

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

Rok uplatnění

2016

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

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

Název periodika

Biological Conservation

ISSN

0006-3207

e-ISSN

—

Svazek periodika

196

Číslo periodika v rámci svazku

April

Stát vydavatele periodika

GB - Spojené království Velké Británie a Severního Irska

Počet stran výsledku

8

Strana od-do

165-172

Kód UT WoS článku

000375365300019

EID výsledku v databázi Scopus

2-s2.0-84958957136