Regeneration dynamics of Portulacaria afra in restored succulent thicket of South Africa

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Over-grazing by livestock has resulted in the widespread degradation of South Africa’s succulent thicket ecosystems. This is characterised by a significant reduction in the cover of the dominant succulent shrub, Portulacaria afra. Because this species is unable to regenerate naturally in degraded habitat, active reintroduction is required to restore ecosystem function. However, reintroduction success is relatively low, and the recruitment barriers for this species are poorly understood.

Methods

By conducting pairwise plot surveys in actively restored and adjacent degraded succulent thicket habitats, the extent of P. afra seedling abundance in these contrasting ecosystem conditions is quantified.

Results

Seedling abundance was significantly greater in

SUBMITTER: Galuszynski N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10158758 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature