Restoration of lost aquatic plant communities: New habitats forChara |
| |
Authors: | B. Beltman C. Allegrini |
| |
Affiliation: | (1) Present address: Department of Plant Ecology, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 800.84, NL-3508 TB Utrecht, the Netherlands |
| |
Abstract: | In the Netherlands peat was excavated for fuel until 1950. This gave rise to waterbodies (called turf ponds) which were then colonized by aquatic plants. Succession resulted in different aquatic plant communities and more terrestrialized stages such as floating fens. Nature conservation authorities started to excavate new turf ponds in 1990(ca. 2 ha y–1) with the aim to restore calcareous, mesotraphent ecosystems by totally setting back succession. A sequence of new species was revealed by mapping the aquatic vegetation from 1990 onwards.Chara spp. proved early colonizers, which was not expected because they have not been present in ditches and ponds in the area for the last 20 years. The denseChara vegetation prevents the resuspension of organic soil and contributes to keep the water column nutrient-poor and clear. ability of species such asStratiotes aloides to colonise the ponds from adjacent waterbodies is not possible because no open contact exists between a turf pond and a ditch. Management measures, such as re-introduction, have to be considered if the full-range of aquatic plant communities remains the goal. |
| |
Keywords: | restoration aquatic plants Chara seed bank hydrochemistry peat the Netherlands |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|