Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.5194/we-14-65-2015
Title (Primary) Drought resistance of native pioneer species indicates potential suitability for restoration of post-mining areas
Author Winkler, N.; Weymann, W.; Auge, H. ORCID logo ; Klotz, S.; Finkenbein, P.; Heilmeier, H.
Source Titel Web Ecology
Year 2015
Department BZF
Volume 14
Issue 1
Page From 65
Page To 74
Language englisch
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract In order to test whether invasive exotic species, predominantly used for restoring post-mining areas in north-eastern Vietnam, may be replaced by ecologically superior native pioneer species, we conducted a drought stress experiment in a greenhouse. We hypothesized that juvenile individuals of four native pioneer tree and two native pioneer grass species have a drought resistance comparable to two exotic reference species. Our results confirm this hypothesis: even under drought, native trees had a higher biomass and root : shoot ratio than exotic trees, although their maximum relative elongation rate and biomass were reduced more strongly than for exotic trees with respect to well-watered conditions. Native grasses had a higher root length density and a similar drought-induced reduction of stomatal conductance compared to exotic trees. In spite of a higher biomass reduction, native grasses produced more biomass under drought in absolute terms. Notwithstanding that further investigations of other adverse environmental factors need to be performed, our results indicate with respect to drought resistance that native pioneer species are a potential alternative to exotic species for the ecological restoration of subtropical post-mining areas, which may accelerate secondary succession.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=15742
Winkler, N., Weymann, W., Auge, H., Klotz, S., Finkenbein, P., Heilmeier, H. (2015):
Drought resistance of native pioneer species indicates potential suitability for restoration of post-mining areas
Web Ecol. 14 (1), 65 - 74 10.5194/we-14-65-2015