Woody species as landscape modulators: their effect on the herbaceous plants in a Mediterranean maquis |
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Authors: | Har’el Agra Gidi Ne’eman |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science and Science Education, University of Haifa, 31905 Haifa, Israel;(2) Department of Science Education – Biology, Faculty of Science and Science Education, University of Haifa-Oranim, 36006 Tivon, Israel |
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Abstract: | “Landscape modulators” are ecosystem engineers that have an impact on community structure by creating patches in the landscape
mosaic. Our aim was to study the effect of evergreen-trees, as landscape modulators, on herbaceous plants in a Mediterranean
maquis system in northern Israel. We examined the effects of canopy removal and cattle grazing on species richness, plant
functional types, and rare plant species in two patch-types: (1) woody—under tree canopy (or the location of a removed canopy);
(2) herbaceous—in open areas with no tree canopy. Patch-type and tree removal affected species richness and plant functional
types. The extreme negative effect of the woody patch-type on species richness disappeared soon after the removal of the landscape
modulator canopy. We conclude that the dominant effect of the evergreen woody landscape modulators can be regulated by canopy
removal and grazing for maintaining patch-type and landscape diversities, and consequent high species richness in Mediterranean
ecosystems, which is a main goal of global nature conservation policy. |
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