Interactions between mycorrhizal colonization and plant life forms along the successional gradient of coastal sand dunes in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey

The mycorrhizal status of dune plant species in relation to their plant life forms was surveyed along a successional gradient of sand dune on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Roots of 64 dune plant species belonging to 30 families were collected from sand dune communities at four different successional stages: embryonic dunes (ED), mobile dunes (MD), fixed dunes (FD), and remnant dunes (RD). Of the plant species surveyed in all successional stages, 54 (84%) had formed mycorrhizal associations. Nonmycorrhizal plants with cryptophyte life forms predominated in the earlier successional stages (ED and MD), whereas the number and percent coverage of mycorrhizal plant species belonging to hemicryptophytes, phanerophytes, and chamaephytes generally increased with the stabilization of sand dunes. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization was found to be the dominant mycorrhizal type in ED, MD, and RD. But phanerophytes with dual colonization, AM and ectomycorrhizal, became the dominant life form with high plant coverage in the FD stage. Total percentage of mycorrhizal root length colonization showed significant positive correlations relating to soil parameters such as organic matter and nitrogen content, while negatively correlating to high soil reaction (pH).     

Impacts of a woody invader vary in different vegetation communities

The impact of an exotic species in natural systems may be dependent not only on invader attributes but also on characteristics of the invaded community. We examined impacts of the invader bitou bush, Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata , in fore and hind dune communities of coastal New South Wales, Australia. We compared invader impacts on vegetation structure, richness of both native and exotic growth forms and community variability in fore and hind dunes. We found that impacts of bitou invasion were context specific: in fore dune shrublands, functionally distinct graminoid, herb and climber rather than shrub growth forms had significantly reduced species richness following bitou invasion. However, in forested hind dunes, the functionally similar native shrub growth form had significantly reduced species richness following bitou invasion. Density of vegetation structure increased at the shrub level in both fore and hind dune invaded communities compared with non-invaded communities. Fore dune ground-level vegetation density declined at invaded sites compared with non-invaded sites, reflecting significant reductions in herb and graminoid species richness. Hind dune canopy-level vegetation density was reduced at invaded compared with non-invaded sites. Bitou bush invasion also affected fore dune community variability with significant increases in variability of species abundances observed in invaded compared with non-invaded sites. In contrast, variability among all hind dune sites was similar. The results suggest that effects of bitou bush invasion are mediated by the vegetation community. When bitou bush becomes abundant, community structure and functioning may be compromised.     

Comparison of Post-Mine Rehabilitated and Natural Shrubland Communities in Southwestern Australia

Following mineral sand mining near Eneabba, southwestern Australia, rehabilitation managers have the difficult task of restoring shrubland communities of exceptional plant species richness. Species diversity, composition, structure, and key functional attributes in four mined sites rehabilitated 8 (R8) to 24 (R24) years ago were compared with those of typical nearby natural areas classified on the basis of substrate type (Low and High sand Dunes, shallow sand Swales, sand over Laterite, and sand over Limestone). The rehabilitated sites (except R8) had more species (about 140) than natural sites (about 100) in 40 × 40–m plots, with 12–37% species in common with natural sites. Rehabilitated sites were more similar in composition to each other than they were to the natural sites, with two strong colonizers, the fire-killed Acacia blakelyi and the fire-tolerant Melaleuca leuropoma , universally present. Dendrograms and ordinations based on composition and cover showed that rehabilitated sites grouped with each other before they did with the Dune and Swale sites (physically closest), and last with the Laterite and Limestone sites. Plant densities for R16 and R24 were about half those of the High Dune and Limestone, and about a quarter those of the Swale and Laterite. Fire resprouters were under-represented in the rehabilitated sites. Growth form distribution in rehabilitated sites was most similar to those of the dunes, with some woody shrubs up to 2.5 m tall present. Total iron and soil hardness (penetrability) were the only soil factors consistently different (higher) in the rehabilitated sites.     

Ecological Assessment of Dune Restorations in the Great Lakes Region

Because of the economic and environmental importance of stabilizing fragile sand dune habitats, restoration of dunes has become a common practice. Restoration efforts in the Great Lakes and East Coast regions of North America often consist of planting monocultures of the dominant native grass species, Ammophila breviligulata. We evaluated 18 dune restoration projects in the Great Lakes region conducted over the past 25 years. We characterized attributes of diversity (plants and insects), vegetation structure (plant biomass and cover), and ecological processes (soil nutrients and mycorrhizal fungi abundance) in each restoration, and we compared these measures to geographically paired natural dune communities. Restoration sites were similar to reference sites in most measured variables. Differences between restorations and reference sites were mostly explained by differences in ages, with the younger sites supporting slightly lower plant diversity and mycorrhizal spore abundance than older sites. Plant community composition varied little between restored and reference sites, with only one native forb species, Artemisia campestris, occurring significantly more often in reference sites than restored sites. Although it remains unclear whether more diverse restoration plantings could accelerate convergence on the ecological conditions of reference dunes, in general, traditional restoration efforts involving monoculture plantings of A. breviligulata in Great Lakes sand dunes appear to achieve ecological conditions found in reference dunes.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities change among three stages of primary sand dune succession but do not alter plant growth

Plant interactions with soil biota could have a significant impact on plant successional trajectory by benefiting plants in a particular successional stage over others. The influence of soil mutualists such as mycorrhizal fungi is thought to be an important feedback component, yet they have shown benefits to both early and late successional plants that could either retard or accelerate succession. Here we first determine if arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi differ among three stages of primary sand dune succession and then if they alter growth of plants from particular successional stages. We isolated AM fungal inoculum from early, intermediate or late stages of a primary dune succession and compared them using cloning and sequencing. We then grew eight plant species that dominate within each of these successional stages with each AM fungal inoculum. We measured fungal growth to assess potential AM functional differences and plant growth to determine if AM fungi positively or negatively affect plants. AM fungi isolated from early succession were more phylogenetically diverse relative to intermediate and late succession while late successional fungi consistently produced more soil hyphae and arbuscules. Despite these differences, inocula from different successional stages had similar effects on the growth of all plant species. Host plant biomass was not affected by mycorrhizal inoculation relative to un‐inoculated controls. Although mycorrhizal communities differ among primary dune successional stages and formed different fungal structures, these differences did not directly affect the growth of plants from different dune successional stages in our experiment and therefore may be less likely to directly contribute to plant succession in sand dunes.     

Plant community response following the removal of the invasive Lupinus arboreus in a coastal dune system

The removal of invasive species is common in restoration projects, yet the long‐term effects of pest management programs are seldom assessed. We present results of a long‐term program to remove the invasive species Lupinus arboreus (lupin) from sand dunes in New Zealand. We evaluate the response of plant communities to lupin removal, by comparing total plant cover, the cover of non‐native and native plant species, and species richness between sand dune sites where lupin removal has occurred, not occurred, and where lupin has never been present. Neither lupin presence nor removal had a significant impact on the foredune environment. Following removal, total and other non‐native plant cover remained higher, and the cover of several native sand dune species remained lower compared with uninvaded sites in the deflation and backdune environments. These changes can be attributed to persistent effects associated with the invasion of lupin, but have also developed in response to lupin removal. The results of this study have implications for restoration projects in sand dunes. Pest management alone is unlikely to be sufficient to restore plant communities. Given the difficulties in restoring plant communities once an invasive species has established, managers should prioritize actions to prevent the spread of invasive species into uninvaded areas of sand dunes. Finally, the response to lupin invasion and removal differed between dune habitats. This highlights the importance of tailoring a pest management program to restoration goals by, for example, prioritizing areas in which the impacts of the invading species are greatest.     

Millipede communities in rehabilitating coastal dune forests in northern KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa

The rehabilitation, after mining, of coastal sand dunes north of Richards Bay by Richards Bay Minerals began some 18 years ago, and resulted in the simultaneous availability of a known-aged series of stands representative of coastal dune forest succession.
A survey of the millipede community in this area revealed increases in species diversity and a decrease in their density, with an increase in stand age. Development of these communities is characterized by replacement and addition of species, typical of ecological succession. Colonization of areas disturbed by mining reflects on the species reservoir present in the surrounding unmined forests with apparent pioneer species being either replaced or complemented by the relatively slow invasion of secondary species.
Comparisons of age-specific millipede community variables on rehabilitating dunes with those recorded in relatively undisturbed dunes suggest that the development of communities results from autogenic succession initiated through habitat rehabilitation. With several community parameters in rehabilitating dune forests being similar to those recorded in undisturbed forests, it is concluded that the millipede community can be restored through management options based on principles relating to ecological succession.     

Effects of long‐term grazing management on sand dune vegetation of high conservation interest

Question: Can long‐term grazing management maintain and restore species‐rich sand dune plant communities within a sand dune site of high conservation interest? Location: Newborough Warren, North Wales, UK. Methods: Vegetation changes that occurred between 1987 and 2003, subsequent to grazing by domestic livestock being introduced to the site after decades with little or no stock grazing, were analysed using data collected from permanent monitoring quadrats over a 16‐year period. Results: At the plant community level, grazing brought about a shift from a tall‐grass dominated, species‐poor community to a more species‐rich community in the dry dunes, but did not change community type in dune slacks. However, at the species level, grazing enhanced the abundance of some desired perennial, annual and biennial species, graminoids and bryophytes in both habitat types. The increased frequency of positive indicator species for habitat condition suggests that grazing was beneficial for species of conservation interest. Ellenberg nitrogen (N) values decreased after grazing in dry habitats but showed no long‐term change independent of grazing, suggesting no increase in site fertility over the study period. Surprisingly, light (L) values also decreased in the dry dunes after grazing. Conclusions: Long‐term grazing management can play an important role for the conservation of dune communities and associated species. Because of its positive effects on species diversity, plant communities and habitat condition in sand dunes, livestock grazing is recommended for conservation management.     

Ant Community Development on Rehabilitated Ash Dams in the South African Highveld

Ant communities have been widely used as indicators of minesite rehabilitation in Australia and are beginning to play a similar role in other parts of the world. Here we examine ant communities on rehabilitated ash dams associated with a coal‐fired power station on the highveld of South Africa, to improve our understanding of ecosystem development on these substrates. Ants were sampled using pitfall traps at 11 ash‐dam sites, ranging from unrehabilitated to 9‐year‐old rehabilitated sites, as well as two adjacent natural grassland sites. Sampling was conducted on 12 occasions from March 1997 to January 1999. Forty‐nine ant species from 19 genera were recorded during the study. Site species richness was positively correlated with rehabilitation age, ranging from 10 to 25 at ash‐dam sites, compared with 28 and 34 at the two natural grassland sites. There was a humped relationship between total ant abundance and rehabilitation age, with abundance peaking after 5–7 years at levels far higher than those at natural sites. Ordination analysis showed clear separation between ash‐dam and natural sites along the first axis. The unrehabilitated ash‐dam site was also separated from rehabilitated sites along the first axis. Sites of different rehabilitation age were separated along the second axis. Individual ant species showed clear successional patterns across the rehabilitation gradient. Although there was a clear successional trend for the development of ant communities on rehabilitated ash dams, this trend was not toward natural grassland. The lack of convergence toward ant communities of natural grasslands reflects the markedly different substrate and plant composition on ash dams and supports the widely held view that restoration of natural grassland communities is not a realistic goal of ash‐dam rehabilitation. However, the development of species‐rich ant communities, containing at least some late‐successional species, indicates the potential for rehabilitated ash dams to support diverse and complex ecosystems.     

Temporal trends in plant species composition on mined sand dunes in Myall Lakes National Park,Australia

Abstract The floristic composition of the vegetation of mined and unmined sand dunes at Bridge Hill, in Myall Lakes National Park, was studied from 1982–90 inclusive. Data from mined sites ranging in age from 2–15 years post mining, with replication of time since mining in both time and space, were incorporated in the study. The mined part of the Bridge Hill dune is very different in plant species composition compared with either the dune prior to mining or to the adjacent unmined dunes. The mined dune also displays a temporal development of species composition over the period 2–15 years post mining, the dominant trend being a reduction in similarity to that of the dune prior to mining. Mining resulted in significant increases in the abundance of six introduced species, and in significant differences in the abundance of 49% of the native species. Species richness and diversity increased during the period 2–15 years post mining, and a significant component of this could be attributed to the presence of the introduced species.     

Restoration of riverine inland sand dune complexes: implications for the conservation of wild bees

1.  The evaluation of restoration measures is an important task of conservation biology. Inland sand dunes and dry, oligotrophic grasslands have become rare habitat types in large parts of Central Europe and their restoration and management is of major importance for the preservation of many endangered plant and insect species. Within such habitats, it is important to restore key ecosystem services, such as pollination networks. As wild bees are the most important pollinators in many ecosystems, they represent a suitable key group to evaluate restoration measures. Furthermore, the recent decline of many bee species and the potential ecological and economic consequences are currently topics of strong scientific interest.
2.  We studied the succession of bee communities in response to restoration measures of sand dunes and sand grasslands and compared these communities with those of old sand dune complexes.
3.  Our results show that wild bees respond rapidly to restoration measures indicated by a high species richness and abundance. The community structure of bees at restoration sites converged only slightly to those of the target sites. A higher similarity was found between bee communities at the restoration sites (sand dunes and grasslands), indicating that their close proximity was an important determinant of species overlap. Environmental factors such as the number of entomophilous plant species and moisture had a strong influence on wild bee species composition.
4.   Synthesis and applications . The restoration of inland sand dune complexes provides opportunities for colonization by a diverse wild bee community. Although it is difficult to establish a given target community, restoration measures gave rise to a high pollinator diversity and abundance, suggesting that community function can be re-established.     

Pattern analysis in successional communities – An approach for studying shifts in ecological interactions

Abstract. Many ecological studies have addressed issues of vegetation spatial patterns in attempts to understand the processes generating them. We investigated changes in ecological processes during succession via the analysis of shrubs’ spatial patterns in a system of linear sand dunes, an arid ecosystem located in the Negev Desert in Israel during three consecutive years. We hypothesized that spatial patterns change from clustered to regular as succession progresses due to changes in the relative importance of facilitation and competition in this environment. In this ecosystem communities of early successional stages are frequently disturbed by high rates of sand movement, whereas in later successional stages sand stability is high. We mapped in the field individual shrubs on high‐resolution aerial photographs, and converted the digital images to a GIS data set. Using Ripley's K‐function we analysed spatial patterns at three levels: the single‐species level, among species and at the individual level, in three communities characterizing different successional stages. In the early successional communities we found clustered spatial patterns, in comparison with stable habitats where spatial patterns tended to be regular. We argue that these shifts in spatial patterns are indicative of the assumption that in this sand‐dune system ecological interactions change from facilitation to competition as succession progresses. Further, we argue that these interactions operate in different spatial scales at the different successional stages, and that the study of these processes should be conducted at the spatial scales specific to each community.     

Facilitation and sand burial affect plant survival during restoration of a tropical coastal sand dune degraded by tourist cars

Coastal sand dunes support various ecosystem services, including storm protection and tourism. Restoration programs are often critical to preserve this ecosystem due to its fragility and high degree of degradation. Dune restoration still suffers from a general lack of knowledge of the ecological processes controlling tropical dune communities. We investigated if facilitation can increase restoration success by assisting plant survival in a Brazilian coastal dune degraded by buggies at the Environmental Protection Area of Jenipabu, RN, Brazil. We performed two field experiments on dune crest sites degraded by buggies. The first experiment tested how the presence of established vegetation and coconut mesh, mimicking soil‐stabilizing effect of vegetation, facilitates seedling survival and establishment of the early successional dominant dune plant Canavalia maritima (Fabaceae). The second experiment tested if coconut mesh and initial irrigation would allow the establishment of C. maritima outside the vegetation, using both seeds and transplants. We found that the presence of established vegetation positively affected seedling survival. Application of mesh positively affected microclimatic conditions and slightly increased survival, but only for seeds. Initial irrigation only had a small effect on transplanted seedlings survival. Nevertheless, there was extreme seedling mortality in the experiment in particular from sand burial. We conclude that restoration of these dune crests is very difficult. Facilitation by vegetation can reduce plant mortality by sand burial and desiccation, but successful restoration is likely to require a major effort involving a very high number of seedlings or seeds.     

Impact of anthropogenic disturbances on beetle communities of French Mediterranean coastal dunes

In coastal dunes, influenced by anthropogenic activities such as tourism, it is important to determine the relative influence of environmental factors at different spatial scales to evaluate the sensitivity of local communities to disturbances. We analyzed beetle communities of 14 dunes of the French Mediterranean coast: four in the relatively preserved Camargue area, and ten in the Var department, where tourism is intensive. Beetle communities were studied three times in early spring using sand sampling. Species-environment relationships were evaluated at the regional, landscape and local scale using redundancy analysis (RDA) and variability partitioning. About 28 species were identified, of which 15 were sand-specialist species, which accounted for more than 93% of total abundance. The beetle communities of Camargue were significantly different from those of the Var department owing to the pullulation of a Tenebrionid species (Trachyscelis aphodioides Latr.) in the Var, except for one restored dune where the community was very similar to those of Camargue. Our results showed no longitudinal gradient between the two regions. Local factors (dune height, preservation and disturbance index) significantly explained most of the variation in the dominance of T. aphodioides, while some other local factors were important for other psammophilous species. This study also suggests that dune beetle communities are strongly affected on beaches intensively managed for tourism, but beetles are still abundant in much disturbed sites.     

Mycorrhizae and succession in plantings of beachgrass in sand dunes

A survey of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), and hyphal networks of AMF was carried out in sand dune sites of different successional stages in the Province Lands Area of Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts. The study focused on large-scale plantings (each of 12–20 ha) of American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) aged 0–7 yr and five adjacent natural dune areas. Sample sites ranged in vegetative cover from barren to forested. Spores of 17 species of AMF were recovered from the dunes. Over the successional sequence, there were increases in the richness and spore populations of the AMF community, the extent of colonization of A. breviligulata roots, and the mycorrhizal inoculum potential of the soil. Unvegetated sites lacked propagules of AMF, but roots of planted culms of A. breviligulata (which carried propagules of AMF) became mycorrhizal in <1 yr after planting. Spores were recovered from previously AMF-free sites that had been planted with beachgrass for 47 wk, and five species of AMF sporulated in sites <6 yr old. Significant hyphal networks were not present in any of the planted areas (<6 yr old at the time of sampling), but did occur in natural areas. The rate of invasion of areas planted to A. breviligulata by later successional plant species may in part depend upon the establishment of a vigorous network of hyphae of AMF in a site.     

Above and belowground community development in a marine sand dune ecosystem

Transects across undisturbed marine sand dunes sequentially traversed the following plant communities: littoral, foredunes, intradune complex of ridges and hollows, deflation plain, myrtle forest, and mature conifer forest. Organic carbon levels were low in the littoral zone and increased across the dune ecosystem landward to the forest communities. The highest percentage of nutrients was isolated from the heavy fraction of soil residues. Soil microfloral populations responded to vegetation, physical dune characteristics, and seasonal moisture patterns. Populations of bacteria and actinomycetes were higher in winter than during summer sampling periods in all communities. Populations of microscopic fungi were higher in winter in all the communities except the hollows. The distribution of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi responded to vegetation and sand dune succession but did not display seasonality. Species of Gigaspora and Acaulospora were the most commonly isolated VAM fungi.Sand aggregation increased along the dune transect and was correlated to plant community succession: the most highly aggregated soil was found in the two forest communities. With scanning electron microscopy, sand grains and organic residues were observed entangled by strands of filamentous mciroorganisms. Many of the filaments were of the dimensions of VAM fungi, which may be important for the release of nutrients associated with the cementing agents of sand aggregates and for the survival of early pioneer plants of sand dunes.     

Microbial community composition but not diversity changes along succession in arctic sand dunes

The generality of increasing diversity of fungi and bacteria across arctic sand dune succession was tested. Microbial communities were examined by high‐throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes (bacteria) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (fungi). We studied four microbial compartments (inside leaf, inside root, rhizosphere and bulk soil) and characterized microbes associated with a single plant species (Deschampsia flexuosa) across two sand dune successional stages (early and late). Bacterial richness increased across succession in bulk soil and leaf endosphere. In contrast, soil fungal richness remained constant while root endosphere fungal richness increased across succession. There was, however, no significant difference in Shannon diversity indices between early and late successional stage in any compartment. There was a significant difference in the composition of microbial communities between early and late successional stage in all compartments, although the major microbial OTUs were shared between early and late successional stage. Co‐occurrence network analysis revealed successional stage‐specific microbial groups. There were more co‐occurring modules in early successional stage than in late stage. Altogether, these results emphasize that succession strongly affects distribution of microbial species, but not microbial diversity in arctic sand dune ecosystem and that fungi and bacteria may not follow the same successional trajectories.     

Plant functional traits and diversity in sand dune ecosystems across different biogeographic regions

Plant species of a functional group respond similarly to environmental pressures and may be expected to act similarly on ecosystem processes and habitat properties. However, feasibility and applicability of functional groups in ecosystems across very different climatic regions have not yet been studied. In our approach we specified the functional groups in sand dune ecosystems of the Mediterranean, Hyrcanian and Irano-Turanian phytogeographic regions. We examined whether functional groups are more influenced by region or rather by habitat characteristics, and identified trait syndromes associated with common habitat types in sand dunes (mobile dunes, stabilized dunes, salt marshes, semi-wet sands, disturbed habitats). A database of 14 traits, 309 species and 314 relevés was examined and trait-species, trait-plot and species-plot matrices were built. Cluster analysis revealed similar plant functional groups in sand dune ecosystems across regions of very different species composition and climate. Specifically, our study showed that plant traits in sand dune ecosystems are grouped reflecting habitat affiliation rather than region and species pool. Environmental factors and constraints such as sand mobility, soil salinity, water availability, nutrient status and disturbance are more important for the occurrence and distribution of plant functional groups than regional belonging. Each habitat is shown to be equipped with specific functional groups and can be described by specific sets of traits. In restoration ecology the completeness of functional groups and traits in a site may serve as a guideline for maintaining or restoring the habitat.     

Temporal development of vegetation and geomorphology in a man-made beach-dune system by natural processes

Twenty-four yrs of primary succession in a man-made beach-dune system at the Baltic coast of Denmark, built of calcareous, marine sand and the dune planted with Ammophila arenaria , was studied by qualitative observations, quantitative records in permanent plots, levelling and soil analysis within a selected area of 0.75 ha. The aim of the study was to discuss whether human initiated and influenced beach and dune dynamics mimick natural beach and dune processes, and to discuss the relationship between succession and zonation. During the study period, which started in 1979, the man-made dune stabilized rather fast. In the stabilized dune, a sand-pararendzina with a thin A-horizon developed. The beach expanded by accretion of less calcareous, marine sand. On the beach new dunes, 3 m high, successively developed. The number of species in the study area increased from 16 to 55, accompanied by species and life form dynamics, characteristic for primary succession on sandy coasts. A gradual change in species composition of the permanent plots, which appeared by a DCA analysis, could by using TWINSPAN be structured into four groups or plant communities, which reflect succession as well as zonation. Two groups represent the vegetation of sandy beaches with annual dicotyledon species, and mobile dunes dominated by rhizomatous geophytes, especially A. arenaria. The two other groups represent stabilized, calcareous dune, dominated by hemicryptophytes, specially Festuca rubra , and less stabilized dune with F. rubra and the invasive alien Rosa rugosa. It was concluded, that the main trends in the geomorphological and vegetational development of the man-made beach-dune system is similar to the development in natural dunes. In the future, further accretion and seaward dune formation may be expected, but is it also expected, that larger parts of the area gradually will be covered by low scrubs of R. rugosa.     

Factors influencing the natural regeneration of the pioneering shrub Calligonum mongolicum in sand dune stabilization plantations in arid deserts of northwest China

Calligonum mongolicum is a successful pioneer shrub to combat desertification, which is widely used for vegetation restoration in the desert regions of northwest China. In order to reveal the limitations to natural regeneration of C. mongolicum by asexual and sexual reproduction, following the process of sand dune stabilization, we assessed clonal shoots, seedling emergence, soil seed bank density, and soil physical characteristics in mobile and stabilized sand dunes. Controlled field and pot experiments were also conducted to assess germination and seedling emergence in different dune soil types and seed burial depths. The population density of mature C. mongolicum was significantly different after sand dune stabilization. Juvenile density of C. mongolicm was much lower in stabilized sand dunes than mobile sand dune. There was no significant difference in soil seed bank density at three soil depths between mobile and stabilized sand dunes, while the emergence of seedlings in stabilized dunes was much lower than emergence in mobile dunes. There was no clonal propagation found in stabilized dunes, and very few C. mongolicum seedlings were established on stabilized sand dunes. Soil clay and silt content, air‐filled porosity, and soil surface compaction were significantly changed from mobile sand dune to stabilized dunes. Seedling emergence of C. mongolicm was highly dependent on soil physical condition. These results indicated that changes in soil physical condition limited clonal propagation and seedling emergence of C. mongolicum in stabilized sand dunes. Seed bank density was not a limiting factor; however, poor seedling establishment limited C. mongolicum's further natural regeneration in stabilized sand dunes. Therefore, clonal propagation may be the most important mode for population expansion in mobile sand dunes. As a pioneer species C. mongolicum is well adapted to propagate in mobile sand dune conditions, it appears unlikely to survive naturally in stabilized sand dune plantations.