Publication:
Conservation zones promote oak regeneration and shrub diversity in certified Mediterranean oak woodlands.

dc.contributor.authorDias, F.S.
dc.contributor.authorMarques, T.A.
dc.contributor.authorMarcelino, J.
dc.contributor.authorCaldeira, M.C.
dc.contributor.authorOrestes Cerdeira, J.
dc.contributor.authorBugalho, Miguel N.
dc.date.accessioned2022-01-23T18:55:21Z
dc.date.available2022-01-23T18:55:21Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://open.fsc.org/handle/resource/561
dc.titleConservation zones promote oak regeneration and shrub diversity in certified Mediterranean oak woodlands.en
dcterms.accessRightsPublic
dcterms.accessRightsLimited access
dcterms.bibliographicCitationDias, F. S. et al. 2016. Conservation zones promote oak regeneration and shrub diversity in certified Mediterranean oak woodlands. Biological Conservation.en
dcterms.issued2016
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.typeJournal Article
dspace.entity.typePublication
fsc.evidenceCategoryFSC impact-related
fsc.focus.forestTypeNatural Forest
fsc.focus.forestZoneTemperate
fsc.focus.sustainDimensionEnvironmental
fsc.issue.environmentalBiodiversity
fsc.subjectBiodiversity
fsc.subjectPlant biodiversity
fsc.subjectProtected areas
fsc.subjectConservation
fsc.topic.environmentalPlant biodiversity
fsc.topic.environmentalProtected areas
fsc.topic.environmentalConservation
is.availability.fullTextFull text available
is.contributor.memberForest Stewardship Council
is.coverage.countryPortugal
is.coverage.countryAlpha2PT
is.coverage.regionEurope
is.evaluation.findingsThe abundance of cork oak seedlings and saplings were found to be significantly higher in conservation zones. Those differences 'may be associated with low or no livestock grazing and less frequent shrub clearing.'
is.evaluation.findings'The only shrub species whose cover increased in conservation zones were Ulex spp., which are very palatable species for livestock during its early stages of development when its spines have not hardened.' Interestingly, this shrub species 'can ameliorate the effects of harsh temperatures and light conditions, improving [oak] seedling survival'.
is.evaluation.findingsMoreover, the authors found that the abundance of saplings was higher in area with intermediate cover of Ulex spp. and stated that these are 'spiny, perennial, evergreen shrubs that can fix nitrogen and provide physical protection against livestock and shade to seedlings (G'mez-Aparicio et al. 2004)'. So, Ulex spp. might play an important role for the regeneration of oak trees by providing shade and protecting against herbivores. Conservation areas might thus indirectly help the regenetation of oak trees via the maintenance of Ulex spp. shrubs.
is.evaluation.findingsAlso, the abundance of oak seedlings increased with high adult tree cover. This might be explained by higher concentration of acorns beneath adult tree crowns and/or increased seedling survival due to less harsh temperatures under tree crown (less transpiration). However, after a given value of tree cover (0.0025 m2 /ha), the abundance of seedlings decreased, potentially indicating competition (e.g. for light, nutrients') between adults and seedlings.
is.evaluation.findingsThe richness and diversity of shrubs were significantly higher in conservation zones. The authors proposed that this finding might also be caused by a reduction in both grazing and shrub clearing. However, they also suggest 'grazing pressure differences and/or certification time may not have been enough to induce significant differences' in shrub cover between conservation and non-conservation area,
is.evaluation.notesThe richness and diversity of shrubs were significantly higher in conservation zones. The authors proposed that this finding might also be caused by a reduction in both grazing and shrub clearing. However, they also suggest 'grazing pressure differences and/or certification time may not have been enough to induce significant differences' in shrub cover between conservation and non-conservation area.This result seems contradictory to the explanation for the observed differences in richness and diversity of shrubs. These findings should therefore be taken cautiously.
is.evaluation.outcomeyes
is.evaluation.quotes"sapling abundance decreased with increasing cover of Rosmarinus officinalis"' which is "very competitive for water and soil nutrients".
is.evaluation.scopeThis study investigates the impact of conservation zones in FSC certified Mediterranean oak woodlands on the regeneration of oak trees and on the cover, species richness and diversity of shrubs. It conducts a comparison between conservation and non-conservation zones within eight FSC certified cork oak woodlands estates. Conservation areas are managed for biodiversity conservation and are subject to less/no livestock grazing and shrub clearing.
is.evidenceSubTypeEmpirical study - control not matched but some confounders taken into account - data collected post-intervention
is.evidenceTypeEmpirical study
is.focus.sectorsAgriculture
is.focus.sectorsForestry
is.focus.sustainDimensionEnvironmental
is.focus.systemElementMandE outcomes and impacts
is.focus.systemElementMandE performance monitoring
is.identifier.codeImpacts
is.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.01.009
is.identifier.fscdoihttp://dx.doi.org/10.34800/fsc-international859
is.identifier.schemeNameForest Stewardship Council
is.identifier.schemeTypeVoluntary Sustainability Standards
is.item.reviewStatusPeer reviewed
is.journalNameBiological Conservation
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