不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫群落特征

对江苏盐城湿地保护区内不同植被带土壤线虫的群落结构特征进行了研究.结果表明：调查共鉴定出20科39属,优势属和常见属的数量占总个体数的90%以上;不同植被类型的滩涂湿地土壤线虫总数存在明显差异性,线虫数量范围为每100 g干土79～449条,小麦地显著高于其他植被带,光滩地数量最少.线虫群落生态指数对植被带有不同的响应,土壤线虫群落多样性指数H、均匀度指数J在不同植被带的分布依次为：苇草带＞盐蒿带＞小麦地＞米草带＞光滩带,而优势度指数λ的分布为：光滩带＞米草带＞小麦地＞盐蒿带＞苇草带,表明光滩带的线虫群落多样性和稳定性小于其他植被带,土壤线虫群落趋于单一化;成熟度指数MI表现为保护区内未开垦植被带高于已开垦的小麦地,说明农田受外界干扰明显.不同植被带间的线虫群落结构存在显著差异,各植被带的最大贡献物种各不相同.土壤理化性状与线虫数量、营养类群、生态指数存在明显的相关关系.表明线虫群落的变化能很好地反映植被带生境的多样性,土壤线虫可作为湿地生态系统中一个重要的生物指示因子.     

海南三亚滨海雨林、半落叶季雨林到落叶季雨林的植物群落多样性及种间联结研究

为探索三亚沿海地区(自东向西)从滨海雨林过渡到半落叶季雨林、落叶季雨林的物种多样性及种间关系的变化趋势。该文采用植物群落学调查方法对三种植被类型进行群落调查,进一步使用物种丰富度指数(d GL)、Shannon-Wiener指数(H)、Simpson指数(P)和Pielou均匀度指数(E)来表征各植被类型的物种多样性水平,并使用联结系数(AC)、共同出现百分率(PC)及Spearman秩相关系数检验三种方法来表征各植被类型的种间关系。结果表明:(1)从滨海雨林过渡到半落叶季雨林再到落叶季雨林的生态序列变化过程中,森林优势物种组成逐渐由喜湿树种过渡为耐旱性较强的树种。(2)生物多样性的变化与降雨量呈正相关,均呈现自东向西逐渐递减。(3)三种植被类型共有物种的种间关系分析显示,三种植被类型种间关系松散,滨海雨林的种间联结强度相对较高,半落叶季雨林与落叶季雨林相似。综上结果认为,从滨海雨林到落叶季雨林物种间的协同共存关系在减弱,排斥竞争关系在增强;无论是物种组成、物种多样性水平还是种间关系,半落叶季雨林与落叶季雨林更相似。     

半干旱区湿地-干草原群落交错带边缘效应研究

以宁夏盐池四儿滩湿地为例,于2005年和2006年7~8月份沿湿地—干草原生境梯度按东、东北、西、西北4条样线进行实地植被调查,并采用TWINSPAN数量分类和植物群落结构指数计量研究湿地—干草原交错带边缘效应。结果表明:(1)四儿滩湿地生态系统植物群落分为沼泽植被、草甸植被、干草原植被3个类型。(2)四儿滩湿地植物群落结构指数除群落均匀度指数外,生态优势度、丰富度和物种多样性均是交错带最大,其次是旱生带,湿生带最小。(3)四儿滩湿地—干草原交错带不同方向群落结构差异较大,各项植物群落结构指数均是东北样线最大,西北样线最小。造成不同样线间边缘效应差异的主要因素是人为干扰程度和地形抬升程度不同。     

山东省渤海沿岸滨海湿地草本植物群落物种组成及多样性研究

以山东省渤海沿岸滨海湿地草本植物群落为研究对象, 探讨其物种组成及其群落多样性变化规律。结果表明: 研究区域内共有草本植物83 种, 隶属23 科62 属, 其中, 禾本科和菊科种类最多, 占所有植物种类的34.94%。研究区内植物科属分布以世界分布和泛热带分布为主; 草本植物以芦苇最为常见, 出现频率高达66%。采用Ward 最小方差法进行聚类, 将50 个样地划分为12 类植物群落, 包括芦苇群落、芦苇+碱蓬群落、芦苇+盐地碱蓬群落、碱蓬群落、盐地碱蓬群落、中亚滨藜+长芒稗群落、芦苇+荻群落、盐角草群落、互花米草群落、白茅群落、芦苇+獐毛群落和芦苇+柽柳+假苇拂子茅群。物种丰富度指数的变化范围为3-40, Shannon-Wiener 多样性指数和Simpson 多样性指数的变化范围分别是0.14-2.20 和0.05-0.84, 不同植物群落类型的物种多样性指数差异显著; 物种均匀度指数的变化范围是0.12-0.83, 整体起伏较大, 优势种不明显。目前植物多样性的现状主要受由气候变暖、河流断流等自然因素和人类对湿地的不合理开发利用等人为因素影响, 并指出应该建立和完善相应的湿地保护法律法规, 增加湿地修复与重建工作, 加强宣传教育, 合理开发利用湿地, 促进滨海湿地生态系统可持续发展。     

南京近郊自然湿地维管植物群落特征

选择南京近郊2处自然湿地为研究对象,采用GPS定位、野外标本采集、Braun-Blanquet多盖度等级法和Shannon-Wiener物种多样性、Simpson生态优势度和群落均匀度指数研究南京湿地植物群落的种类组成、群落类型及其数量特征。结果表明南京湿地有维管植物104种,隶属于93属45科,其中有国家Ⅱ级保护植物4种,包括水蕨、野大豆、野菱和莲;属和种的地理成分分析表明,该区维管植物区系以温带成分为主,同时热带成分也占一定的比例;该区湿地植被分为3个植被型,3个植被亚型,16个群系;湿地植物群落的物种多样性指数偏低,其中七里河湿地的物种多样性高于滁河入江口。根据南京湿地维管植物群落的特征,并结合当前存在的问题,提出南京近郊自然湿地的保护对策。     

滨海湿地生态系统土壤微生物及其影响因素研究综述

土壤微生物是滨海湿地生态系统中不可或缺的关键组分,在土壤发育、物质循环和污染物净化等诸多土壤生态过程中发挥着重要作用,对滨海湿地生态系统的维持与健康具有重大影响。系统梳理了滨海湿地土壤微生物群落结构特征和多样性,综述了土壤理化性质、植被状况、水文因素、生物入侵、全球变化、湿地开垦、石油污染等因素对滨海湿地土壤微生物的影响。在此基础上,对今后的研究重点提出了4个方面的展望:(1)加强全球变化多因子交互作用下滨海湿地土壤微生物的响应机制;(2)强化滨海湿地土壤微生物与环境因子的互作机理;(3)深化滨海湿地水动力条件对土壤微生物的影响机制;(4)开展土壤微生物与滨海湿地生态系统物质循环综合研究。研究以期为滨海湿地生态系统的保护和修复提供参考。     

三江平原典型沼泽湿地螺类组成生态指示

螺类作为湿地的重要生物类群,对环境变化响应敏感,这使得螺类成为潜在的环境指示物种。为了研究中国东北沼泽湿地不同类型湿地螺类群落结构的差异以及螺类作为不同类型湿地指示物种的可能,在2014年9月和2015年5月对小叶章沼泽化草甸湿地、臌囊苔草湿地、毛苔草湿地、漂筏苔草湿地共17个采样点进行螺类样品采集。共采集到了螺类8科13属17种4452个。研究表明,螺类以扁卷螺科Planorbidae、椎实螺科Lymnaeidae、膀胱螺科Physidae为主;4种不同类型湿地螺的种类组成不同,这些螺类的种类组成与不同类型湿地的水深、植物类型组成等湿地特征是相对应。螺类的生物多样性指数(ShannonWiener指数和Marglef指数)在不同类型湿地之间也存在一定差异,筛选了指示螺类6种,无褶螺是小叶章沼泽化草甸的指示物种,小土蜗、半球多脉扁螺和虹蛹螺是臌囊苔草湿地的指示物种,琥珀螺是毛苔草湿地的指示物种,平盘螺是漂筏苔草湿地的指示物种,这表明了螺类是沼泽湿地类型的重要指示生物。也为螺类生物多样性资源的保护、恢复和生态评价提供科学依据和资料积累。     

博斯腾湖湖滨湿地植物多样性对季节变化的响应

研究生物多样性对季节的响应对于维持生态系统稳定、保护生物多样性、解析群落构建机制具有重要意义。本文以博斯腾湖湖滨湿地为研究对象,探究不同季节植物群落的物种多样性与功能多样性的变化规律。结果显示：(1)物种多样性指数随季节变化没有显著改变;功能多样性指数中,功能丰富度由春季到夏季逐渐减小,功能离散度逐渐增大;不同季节的功能均匀度差异性不显著;(2)植物功能性状在不同季节间差异显著;春季叶绿素含量显著低于夏季;夏季比叶面积和叶干物质含量显著高于秋季;叶片含水量和厚度由春季到秋季呈递增趋势;(3)影响Pielou指数和功能丰富度的主要环境因子分别为土壤铵态氮和速效磷;影响Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数和功能均匀度的主要环境因子为土壤有机质;影响功能离散度的主要环境因子为土壤含水量;(4)影响最大株高的主要环境因子为土壤 pH值;影响叶干物质含量的主要环境因子为土壤速效钾;影响叶片厚度和比叶面积的主要环境因子为土壤总磷;而影响叶片含水量的主要环境因子为土壤硝态氮;叶绿素含量与土壤因子无显著相关关系。     

三江自然保护区自然和干扰湿地节肢动物群落组成和生态指示

节肢动物是湿地生物多样性的重要组分，在维持湿地生态功能，指示湿地环境变化中发挥重要作用。在2020年7月对黑龙江三江国家级自然保护区沼泽湿地的23个采样点进行节肢动物样品采集，运用统计方法分析人类活动干扰对湿地节肢动物数量、群落组成、多样性的影响以及节肢动物对人类活动干扰的指示作用。共采集到节肢动物10目47科1825只，主要以双翅目和半翅目昆虫为主。自然湿地节肢动物的多度是干扰湿地的4.27倍；生物多样性指数在不同湿地类型之间存在一定差异，节肢动物的物种丰富度在自然湿地显著高于干扰湿地(P<0.05),而Pielou均匀度指数在干扰湿地显著高于自然湿地(P<0.05)。人类活动干扰对湿地节肢动物群落组成影响显著，聚类和非度量多纬尺度排序(NMDS)显示，两种湿地类型节肢动物群落结构相似性较低。指示值法分析显示，自然湿地的指示类群为叶甲科、蚁形甲科、叶蝉科、蚜科、盲蝽科、摇蚊科以及姬蜂总科，干扰湿地未发现指示类群。综上所述，湿地节肢动物对人类活动干扰响应十分敏感，可以作为指示湿地健康状况的关键生物类群。     

基于无人机影像与面向对象-深度学习的滨海湿地植物物种分类

明确滨海湿地植物物种类型及其分布状况是实现滨海湿地精细化生物多样性监测的基础,对于滨海湿地的保护管理与生态可持续发展均具有重要意义。本研究以无人机可见光遥感影像为基础数据源,在定量分析最优分割尺度与最优分类特征组合的基础上,应用面向对象-U-net深度学习方法对闽江河口湿地植物物种类型进行分类,并与K最近邻、决策树、随机森林和贝叶斯分类方法进行精度对比分析,以期为滨海湿地植物物种遥感精细分类与生物多样性保护管理提供方法借鉴与科学参考。研究结果表明,利用面向对象-U-net深度学习方法提取不同滨海湿地植物物种类型的分类精度可达95.67%,总体精度较其他分类方法提高6.67%–13.67%, Kappa系数提高0.12–0.31,且分类整体性好。此外,实现植物物种光谱特征、形状特征、纹理特征与高度特征的最优特征选择对于有效提高湿地植物物种信息分类精度具有重要作用,应用最优分割尺度实现影像分割可提高整体分类效率。     

Biodiversity responses to vegetation structure in a fragmented landscape: ant communities in a peri-urban coastal dune system

Habitat fragmentation often results in significant degradation of the structure and composition of remnant natural vegetation, leading to substantial biodiversity decline. Ants are an ecologically dominant faunal group known to be sensitive to vegetation degradation following fragmentation. We examined ant diversity and composition in relation to changes in vegetation structure in remnant coastal vegetation in the global biodiversity hotspot of southwestern Western Australia. The key features of vegetation structure driving the species and functional diversity and composition of ant communities were measures of cover of vegetation and bare ground. However, these effects were highly idiosyncratic at the species level. Cluster analyses based on plant species composition classified plots into two groups corresponding to relatively intact and degraded vegetation respectively. Although systematic changes in plant diversity and vegetation structure were observed between the two groups, key features from an ant perspective (native plant cover and bare ground) remained unchanged. Vegetation degradation consequently had little overall effect on ant species composition and functional diversity. The major disturbance–related impact on ant communities was through invasion by exotic ants, especially Pheidole megacephala; however, this occurred only in close proximity to development. Our results suggest that the priority for conserving ant diversity in our coastal dune system is the prevention of invasion by exotic species.     

基于植物多样性特征的武汉市城市湖泊湿地植被分类保护和恢复

湿地植被多样性特征及其影响因素的调查分析是湿地植被保护与恢复策略制定的基础。借鉴生物多样性热点分析原理,在武汉市城市湖泊湿地植物多样性调查的基础上,研究了湖泊湿地的植被多样性特征,探讨了城市湖泊湿地植被分类保护与恢复对策。结果表明,武汉市湿地维管束植物的物种丰富度、植物多样性、优势度和均匀度指数在各湖泊间的变化趋势较为一致,但在空间变化幅度上存在一定差异。按照物种丰富度、多样性、优势度、均匀度、湿地植被群丛数目,以及典型湿地植物的物种所占比例、丰富度和优势度的差异,可将调查涉及的26个典型湖泊湿地分为原生植被湖泊、次生植被湖泊、人工植被湖泊和退化植被湖泊4类。原生植被湖泊应建立相对严格的湿地保护区,优先保护原有湿地植被。次生植被湖泊最多,城市发展区内的次生植被湖泊应建立30-100m的植被缓冲带,促进植被自然恢复和发育;而农业区的次生植被湖泊应引导和规范湖泊周围的农业生产模式,以减少人类活动干扰。人工植被湖泊应通过建立城市湿地公园,人工促进植被的近自然恢复。而退化植被湖泊则应尽快采用生态工程法促进湿地植被生境改善,并积极开展近自然湿地植被重建与恢复。     

Use of vegetation classification and plant indicators to assess grazing abandonment in Estonian coastal wetlands

Question: What are the effects of grazing abandonment on the vegetation composition of Estonian coastal wetlands? Location: Vormsi Island and Silma Nature Reserve in western Estonia, Europe. Methods: Local knowledge and field reconnaissance were used to identify current and historical management levels of wetland sites within the west Estonian study area. Nine study sites, with varying management histories, were selected comprising an area of 287 ha. A total of 198 quadrats were taken from 43 distinct vegetation patches in five of the sites. TWINSPAN analysis was used to identify community type, and a phytosociological key was constructed for character taxa. This vegetation classification was then applied within a GIS‐based context to classify all the study sites, using a ground survey technique and 1:2000 scale air photos. Results: We identified 11 different brackish coastal wetland community types. Indicator species were defined with community characteristics for the seven main vegetation types readily recognisable in the field. Coastal wet grasslands were most extensive in grazed sites, or sites that had been more intensively grazed, while abandoned sites were largely composed of Phragmites australis stands, tall grassland, and scrub. Site variations based on vegetation composition were significantly correlated with past grazing intensity. Plant community types showed significant edaphic differences, with particularly low soil moisture and high conductivity and pH for open pioneer patches compared to other vegetation types. Conclusion: Abandonment of traditionally grazed coastal grasslands threatens their characteristic biodiversity. This study found that grazing abandonment reduced the extent of coastal wetland grasslands of particular conservation value. Nevertheless, plant species of conservation interest were found across the sequence of community types described. The study shows that grazing is an important factor influencing coastal wetland plant communities but suggests that vegetation distribution is affected by environmental variables, such as topography.     

Identifying the ecological causes of long-term declines of wetland-dependent birds in an urbanizing landscape

Many wetland-dependent birds are thought to be experiencing significant population declines, although population trend data for this suite of birds are rare and the causes of declines poorly understood. We used a 26-year dataset (1980–2005) of wetland bird abundance and distribution among 196 wetlands in northeastern Illinois (i.e., Chicago and its suburbs) to evaluate population trends and identify underlying ecological causes. We used aerial photography and GIS to quantify wetland habitat structure (i.e., the extent of emergent vegetation) and changes in surrounding land use. We then evaluated how changes in land use affected the structure of wetlands and ultimately wetland bird populations. Of the 12 species analyzed, seven experienced significant declines, three showed non-significant declines, and two experienced significant increases. Population declines could not be attributed to wetland loss because none of our wetlands were destroyed. Concurrent research at these wetlands also suggests that neither low adult survival nor poor reproductive success were responsible for the declines. Increased development within 2 km of wetlands, however, was associated with extreme changes in the structure of wetlands. Wetlands tended either to lose much of their vegetation and become open ponds, or become rank stands of dense vegetation. Both changes made wetlands less suitable for many wetland birds. While “no net loss” legislation may protect wetlands from being filled or drained, development near wetlands appears to be altering hydrology, resulting in habitat degradation and population declines of several wetland-dependent bird species.     

Plant diversity in hiking trails crossing Natura 2000 areas in the Azores: implications for tourism and nature conservation

The Azores Archipelago, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, with an extensive hiking trail system is a promising destination for nature tourism. Hiking is becoming an important touristic attraction, but negative impacts may arise on trails. We aim to evaluate plant biodiversity along eight hiking trails located inside Special Areas of Conservation in two islands with different levels of population density and touristic activity (São Miguel and Flores). Along each trail, 3 plots of 5 × 5 m were used to evaluate the vegetation at every 500 m. Effects of distance to the trail border, altitude, trail, and island, were evaluated by: (i) diversity measures; (ii) floristic composition (different life forms; different biogeographic/conservation status); and (iii) identifying indicator species. Bayesian models run in WinBUGS and the R package “Indicspecies” were used. In total, 111 plant taxa were found, with: (i) highest species richness and diversity in the plots closer to the trail; (ii) highest evenness at the lowest altitude class; (iii) a reduction in the proportion of introduced species with increasing altitude; (iv) a variation in life forms’ composition between and within trails (with the altitude); and (v) the presence of indicator species associated to one altitude, one trail, or one island. The results showed a slight impact on vegetation from the presence of the trails, although with no major changes in the community composition. Presently, factors like the type of land use in areas surrounding the trails may have a deeper effect on plant biodiversity than trail use by visitors.     

三江平原沟渠土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系

为了探究三江平原沟渠土壤种子库在湿地植物保护中的作用及其在湿地恢复中的潜力,该文采用幼苗萌发法与样方调查相结合的方法,对三江平原不同开挖年限沟渠的土壤种子库特征及其与地上植被的关系进行了研究。结果表明:沟渠具有较大规模的土壤种子库,边坡种子库显著大于底泥种子库,边坡种子库密度为8 973–25 000 seeds·m–2,底泥种子库密度为506–1 488 seeds·m–2。开挖10年、20年和30年的沟渠土壤种子库共有50种植物萌发,隶属于20科41属。开挖10年、20年和30年的沟渠土壤种子库萌发物种数分别为37种、34种和33种,地上植被物种数分别为25种、33种和22种。土壤种子库和相应地上植被的相似性系数分别为38.7%、35.8%和32.7%。随着植物群落演替的进行,地上植被的Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均逐渐增大。三江平原沟渠土壤种子库和地上植被中保存了大量湿地植物,表明沟渠具有保护植物物种多样性的作用,沟渠土壤种子库具有湿地恢复的潜力。随着沟渠开挖年限增加,沟渠植物群落呈现退化特征,建议对沟渠系统加强管理。     

放牧干扰下高寒草甸物种多样性指数评价与选择

在青藏高原东北缘高寒草甸设置6个放牧强度样地,连续4年研究10个多样性指数(Richness和Abundance 2个实测指数,优势度指数、均匀度指数、丰富度指数和综合指数各2个)对放牧强度和年限影响植物群落的解释能力.结果表明: 相对于重要值,利用多度计算的多样性指数对放牧干扰更敏感.优势度指数(Berger-Parker、Dominance)与放牧强度和年限均无关,不能将放牧干扰对群落优势种的影响有效区分.均匀度指数(Equitability、Evenness)均与放牧强度无关,但Evenness指数与放牧年限呈显著负相关,不受偶见种影响且与物种多度的变异系数呈显著正相关,在基于时间尺度的均匀度比较中可以选择Evenness指数.丰富度指数(Menhinick、Margalef)均与放牧年限无关,但Margalef指数与放牧强度呈显著正相关,且不受偶见种影响.综合指数(Shannon、Simpson)均与放牧强度无关,但Shannon指数与物种丰富度和多度呈显著正相关,且随放牧年限增加而显著升高,不受偶见种影响,Shannon指数可用于在长时间尺度下比较物种多样性变化.在所有多样性指数中,只有实测物种丰富度和多度均与放牧强度呈显著负相关,与放牧年限呈显著正相关,且不受偶见种影响,故实测物种丰富度和多度相结合可作为放牧干扰下多样性比较的首选指标.此外,多样性指数选择须考虑放牧干扰的强度与时间特征、多样性组分和研究目的.     

广东省古兜山自然保护区生态旅游开发的多尺度影响

从微观和中观尺度探讨了广东省古兜山自然保护区生态旅游开发对区内植物生态和景观生态的影响问题。结果表明:(1)10个样地的植物生态影响度指数有3个为一般级,5个为较严重级,1个为严重级,1个属极严重级。全区平均植物生态影响度指数呈较严重级。这表明旅游开发已给保护区的植物带来了较大的负面影响;(2)旅游开发与活动对植物生态的影响在游径两侧和景点、服务点周围2~4m范围内较显著,4~6m范围有一定程度影响,但6m以外的区域影响较小。处于多条通道交叉处的三角区,近通道的植物生态影响度指数值较中央区的影响值大,影响曲线呈双峰型;(3)不同景观类型的植物受旅游影响的强度和范围不一样。影响强度的变化总趋势为:山地草甸>山地灌丛>森林景观,常绿针阔叶混交林>常绿阔叶林>沟谷雨林,人工林>天然林;(4)植物生态影响指标间的相关分析表明从旅游活动对保护区植物的负面影响来看,阴生种数量、乔灌幼苗量、凋落层厚度、物种多样性指数4个指标具有较好的表征作用,草本层盖度表征作用不太好;(5)景观生态指标值和影响度指数显示旅游工程建设和森林工程对景观破坏影响较大,主要表现在林木间伐、修路及建筑选址、配色、数量控制等方面;(6)从景观生态影响水平看,常绿针阔叶混交林和季风常绿阔叶林受到的影响较大;就景观生态受影响难易程度而言,服务区南侧、喃呒山等地是区内景观生态敏感地带,服务区、喃呒庙、瓶身阁等旅游景点或设施具有较强的景观醒目度;(7)多指标定量化评价指数具有较好的环境预警作用,能为保护区生态旅游管理者提供有用的环境生态信息,以便及时做出科学决策。     

Possible ecosystem engineering to regulate depth by a clonal sedge encroaching on a tropical freshwater wetland

Shallow freshwater wetlands that are permanently inundated are prone to developing dense mats of highly-competitive clonal species. We examine vegetation pattern and change in a tropical impoundment (Fogg Dam) in northern Australia in the context of succession towards vegetation closure with adverse implications for biodiversity and tourism. The area of open water declined 44?% between 1993 and 2005. Closed vegetation comprised a floating mat complex featuring a stoloniferous grass, ferns and young trees, and a sedgeland rooted in the soft sediment layer comprising monodominant circular patches of the rhizomatous Eleocharis sphacelata. Depth to the underlying firm substrate varied little between the closed vegetation types and between them and the remaining open water, but the soft sediment layer was markedly deeper under sedgeland and it contained much coarse plant matter consisting mainly of dead Eleocharis. This suggests that E. sphacelata may be creating its environment in order to invade areas of deeper water. Although other wetland plants create more favourable environments for themselves by accreting sediment and/or modifying soil chemistry, this may be the first report of an invasive species modifying depth using its own plant matter. At Fogg Dam, encroachment of closed vegetation into open water areas is not limited by depth and will likely result in the entire wetland being closed over within a decade. To restore diversity, an adaptive disturbance regime is required, some options for which are briefly discussed.     

Restoration of a Restinga Sandy Coastal Plain in Brazil: Survival and Growth of Planted Woody Species

In this article we report the results of an experiment introducing 17 native shrub and tree species into a Brazilian restinga (i.e., coastal sandy plain vegetation). Restingas have been affected by human impact for about 8,000 years, and human occupation for housing, tourism, and land speculation has recently increased in such a way that there is a need for conservation of remnant patches and restoration of degraded areas throughout the coast to protect biodiversity. Our study site is a remnant located in Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in the country, and has been subjected in the past to deforestation, man‐made fire, and sand extraction. Although trees and shrubs predominantly compose natural restinga vegetation, local vegetation after impact was replaced by an exotic grass cover, which meant a drastic reduction in species richness. Thus, in this experiment we removed the grass cover, introduced shrub and tree species, and monitored survival and growth of 20 plants per species for 2 years. Despite the adversities imposed by the nutrient‐poor sandy soil, 70% of the species showed high survival percentage and considerable growth. This report on restoration initiatives in the restingas points out the viability of shrub and tree plantation following exotic grass removal as a strategy to restore Brazilian coastal vegetation.