Tree and bird functional groups as indicators of recovery of regenerating subtropical coastal dune forests

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dc.contributor.author Rolo, Victor
dc.contributor.author Olivier, Pieter Ignatius
dc.contributor.author Van Aarde, Rudi J.
dc.date.accessioned 2017-10-31T06:39:50Z
dc.date.issued 2017-09
dc.description.abstract Functional diversity indicators are increasingly used to monitor forest function recovery because they connect biodiversity to ecosystem functions. However, identifying which functions deviate from a reference forest has not received much attention, despite its potential to inform restoration interventions. In this study, we used functional groups to assess the recovery of ecosystem functions in regenerating coastal dune forests. We surveyed birds and trees in forest of different ages and a reference old-growth forest in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We classified species into functional groups for each taxa based on functional traits or a priori defined categories (i.e. guilds) and quantified the number of species within functional groups as a proxy of function stability. Bird species density followed an asymptotic trajectory, reaching old-growth forest values after 25 years. Insectivores and granivores showed saturating trajectories, whereas small frugivores and generalists increased linearly. With the exception of large frugivores, relative abundances of bird functional groups progressed towards old-growth forest values as the forest aged. Tree species density increased linearly with forest age. In contrast to old-growth forests, large-canopy trees and understory shrubs were under-represented, while mid-canopy trees dominated regenerating forests. Our result suggests that most bird, but not tree, functions may have been restored. The trend in large frugivore numbers may warrant further investigation, as their low numbers may have hampered the recovery of tree functions. We conclude that functional group trajectories can track functions that deviate from a benchmark, and may therefore direct adaptive actions to recover the stability of regenerating forest. en_ZA
dc.description.department Zoology and Entomology en_ZA
dc.description.embargo 2018-09-30
dc.description.librarian hj2017 en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorship R.vA. was supported by RBM, the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP). V.R. and P.I.O. received postdoctoral grants from the NRF of South Africa. en_ZA
dc.description.uri http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1526-100X en_ZA
dc.identifier.citation Rolo, V., Olivier, P.I. & Van Aarde, R. 2017, 'Tree and bird functional groups as indicators of recovery of regenerating subtropical coastal dune forests', Restoration Ecology, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 788-797. en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn 1061-2971 (print)
dc.identifier.issn 1526-100X (online)
dc.identifier.issn 10.1111/rec.12501
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/62977
dc.language.iso en en_ZA
dc.publisher Wiley en_ZA
dc.rights © 2017 Society for Ecological Restoration. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article : 'Tree and bird functional groups as indicators of recovery of regenerating subtropical coastal dune forests', Restoration Ecology, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 788-79, 2017, doi : 10.1111/rec.12501. The definite version is available at : http://onlinelibrary.wiley.comjournal/10.1111/(ISSN)1526-100X. en_ZA
dc.subject Bird guilds en_ZA
dc.subject Functional diversity en_ZA
dc.subject Functional redundancy en_ZA
dc.subject Monitoring en_ZA
dc.subject Plant-animal links en_ZA
dc.subject Ecosystems en_ZA
dc.subject Biodiversity en_ZA
dc.subject Growth forests en_ZA
dc.subject Resilience en_ZA
dc.subject Restoration en_ZA
dc.title Tree and bird functional groups as indicators of recovery of regenerating subtropical coastal dune forests en_ZA
dc.type Postprint Article en_ZA


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