A dynamic modeling tool to anticipate the effectiveness of invasive plant control and restoration recovery trajectories in South African fynbos

• DOI: 10.1111/rec.13324
• Publication Date: 2020-11-23T06:49:56Z
• Authors: Stuart A. Hall; Rita Bastos; Joana Vicente; Ana Sofia Vaz; João P. Honrado; Patricia M. Holmes; Mirijam Gaertner; Karen J. Esler; João Alexandre Ca...
• Keywords: Clearing; Native plant; Restoration Ecology; Revegetation; Biome

Invasive alien plants negatively impact ecosystems, necessitating intricate management actions. In a critically endangered vegetation type within the fynbos biome of South Africa, study was performed comparing different interventions over plots invaded by Acacia saligna . A dynamic modeling approach designed to analyze field data and simulate effectiveness several restoration methods. Field for recovery rates course 2 years were fed into model, which allowed extrapolation multiple trajectories long time‐span, not possible obtain from traditional short‐term surveys. Our model simulations show that treatments in similarly degraded states at time clearing can result vastly trajectories. Active seed sowing initially most expensive but resulted successful native shrub recovery, decreasing costs longer‐term follow‐up acacia clearing. Clearing without burning cheapest limited establishment both cover, providing an opportunity secondary invasion forbs. this case, biotic thresholds may have been crossed prevented certain components. partially reverse restoring cover structural diversity. Therefore, even applying treatment did resemble structure reference condition after extended period 30 years, does how be improved compared passive alone. provide useful tool support decision‐making recommendations optimizing plant‐clearing protocols.