Landscape Pattern Dynamics and Mechanisms during Vegetation Restoration: A Multiscale, Hierarchical Patch Dynamics Approach

Background

This study examines patterns of restoration using permanent plots and remote sensing of a nature reserve from 1979 to the present using a multiscale, hierarchical patch dynamic framework.

Research Goals & Methods

This study attempts to document changes in time and space during the restoration of forests with the purpose of understanding its patterns and processes.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Both the abundance and coverage of the dominant species are larger than other species in the three forest types. Hence, the dominant species may play a critical role in determining the type and physiognomy of the forest community. Over the time surveyed, all the areas sampled saw the transition from needle-leaved forest to needle/broad-leaved mixed forest to broad-leaved forest. The results suggest that restoration can be assessed mainly using "indicators" of pattern, communities, and species. These attributes can assess larger scale restoration of process.