Multiscale assessment of woody species recruitment in Mediterranean shrublands: facilitation and beyond

• DOI: 10.1111/jvs.12520
• Publication Date: 2017-02-22T20:02:50Z
• Authors: Enrique Andivia; Pedro Villar‐Salv...; Liliana Tovar; Sonia Rabasa; José M. Rey Benayas
• Keywords: Shrubland

Abstract Aim Forest recovery in Mediterranean environments is influenced by factors such as aridity, herbivory and facilitation shrubs, well seed limitation the case of highly fragmented forests. How these various interact can determine direction secondary succession, yet interactions are poorly understood. We assessed relative importance several forest species recruitment Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss ( ) shrublands at different spatial scales. Location Centre Iberian Peninsula. Methods surveyed mid‐ late successional woody common Holm oak forests 29 that distributed along an environmental gradient increasing aridity (regional scale) located distances from patches sizes (landscape local scale). In each shrubland, we analysed effects microhabitat (under canopy vs open gaps), presence nurse herbivory, based on density pellet droppings, propagule pressure, measured ratio between size acting sources their distance to shrubs. Results Quercus ilex , Asparagus acutifolius Juniperus oxycedrus were most recruited shrublands. Their frequency, which increased with precipitation, was higher under than gaps. Differences Q. or gaps rainfall, suggesting a decrease effectiveness aridity. Frequency oaks total area woodland remnants <0.5 km, pressure did not modulate positive effect rainfall recruitment. >0.5 km contribute Conclusions Presence shrub R. dispersal‐related processes scale main determinants colonization species. Preserving therefore crucial for extensive passive restoration However, much weaker when both high, regardless source availability.