Old-field succession along a precipitation gradient in the semi-arid coastal region of Tenerife

Otto, R.; Krüsi, Bertil; Burga, C.A.; Fernández-Palacios, J.-M.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Old-field succession along a precipitation gradient in the semi-arid coastal region of Tenerife
Authors:	Otto, R. Krüsi, Bertil Burga, C.A. Fernández-Palacios, J.-M.
DOI:	10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005
Published in:	Journal of Arid Environments
Volume(Issue):	65
Issue:	1
Page(s):	156
Pages to:	178
Issue Date:	2006
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0140-1963
Language:	English
Subjects:	Secondary succession; Canary Islands; Chronosequence; Succulent scrub
Subject (DDC):	333.7: Land, natural recreational areas
Abstract:	Secondary succession on abandoned fields was studied in the semi-arid region of Tenerife (Canary Islands). At four different sites along a precipitation gradient four chronosequences were sampled. On the whole, 11 fields, abandoned for eight to 70 years, and adjacent near-tonatural stands were studied, with regard to species richness, species composition, vegetation structure, life form distribution and the importance of endemic/exotic species, using uni- and multivariate statistical methods. In the three drier chronosequences species richness increased significantly during succession whereas in the wettest sequence it peaked very early with a subsequent decline towards the mature stand. Temporal changes in floristic composition were significant and revealed clear directional trends. We could distinguish two pathways of succession: one for the northern coast under more humid conditions and one for the southern coast under arid conditions. Therophytes were generally substituted by nanophanerophytes, while hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes showed low abundances with peaks in late successional stages. At all sites, endemic species replaced exotic species, with regard to both relative number and cover. The relative importance of exotic species in early succession increased with increasing precipitation. Cover of perennials, stand height and stand biomass increased with time since abandonment and water availability. Floristic composition recovered faster than stand structure and, in particular, stand biomass. We have the following conclusions (i) The absence of disturbance and in presence of near-to-natural stands in the surroundings, coastal scrub on Tenerife has the capacity to regenerate completely albeit slowly after traditional agricultural use. (ii) The rate and pathway of succession are influenced by site productivity, i.e. mean annual precipitation. (iii) Life form distribution changed in the second phase of succession in relation with the precipitation gradient. (iv) The initially dominant exotic annual plant species seem to be a temporary problem only since, in the course of succession, they are substituted by native perennials.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/7262
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	Licence according to publishing contract
Departement:	Life Sciences and Facility Management
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Life Sciences und Facility Management

Files in This Item:

There are no files associated with this item.

Show full item record

Otto, R., Krüsi, B., Burga, C. A., & Fernández-Palacios, J.-M. (2006). Old-field succession along a precipitation gradient in the semi-arid coastal region of Tenerife. Journal of Arid Environments, 65(1), 156–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005

Otto, R. et al. (2006) ‘Old-field succession along a precipitation gradient in the semi-arid coastal region of Tenerife’, Journal of Arid Environments, 65(1), pp. 156–178. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005.

R. Otto, B. Krüsi, C. A. Burga, and J.-M. Fernández-Palacios, “Old-field succession along a precipitation gradient in the semi-arid coastal region of Tenerife,” Journal of Arid Environments, vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 156–178, 2006, doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005.

OTTO, R., Bertil KRÜSI, C.A. BURGA und J.-M. FERNÁNDEZ-PALACIOS, 2006. Old-field succession along a precipitation gradient in the semi-arid coastal region of Tenerife. Journal of Arid Environments. 2006. Bd. 65, Nr. 1, S. 156–178. DOI 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005

Otto, R., Bertil Krüsi, C.A. Burga, and J.-M. Fernández-Palacios. 2006. “Old-Field Succession along a Precipitation Gradient in the Semi-Arid Coastal Region of Tenerife.” Journal of Arid Environments 65 (1): 156–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005.

Otto, R., et al. “Old-Field Succession along a Precipitation Gradient in the Semi-Arid Coastal Region of Tenerife.” Journal of Arid Environments, vol. 65, no. 1, 2006, pp. 156–78, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.07.005.