Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Archive
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Subscribers
    • Institutions
    • Advertisers
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Index/Abstracts
  • Connect
    • Feedback
    • Help
  • Alerts
  • Free Issue
  • Call for Papers
  • Other Publications
    • UWP
    • Land Economics
    • Landscape Journal
    • Native Plants Journal

User menu

  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart

Search

  • Advanced search
Ecological Restoration
  • Other Publications
    • UWP
    • Land Economics
    • Landscape Journal
    • Native Plants Journal
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart
Ecological Restoration

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Archive
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Subscribers
    • Institutions
    • Advertisers
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Index/Abstracts
  • Connect
    • Feedback
    • Help
  • Alerts
  • Free Issue
  • Call for Papers
  • Follow uwp on Twitter
  • Visit uwp on Facebook
Research ArticleResearch Article

Is Succession-based Management of Coastal Dune Forest Restoration Valid?

Matthew J. Grainger and Rudi J. van Aarde
Ecological Restoration, September 2012, 30 (3) 200-208; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/er.30.3.200
Matthew J. Grainger
Matthew J. Grainger (corresponding author), Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, 0002,
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Rudi J. van Aarde
Rudi J. van Aarde, Conservation Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, 0002
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

Habitat restoration and the theory of ecological succession are linked intrinsically. However, restoration management does not always rely on successional principles. This separation between theory and practical application may stem from the failure of succession to achieve restoration targets. Here we test the predictions of succession in a restoration context to ascertain the validity of succession-based management. Specifically we answer the following 4 questions: 1) does the rate of species turnover decrease as coastal dune forest develops; 2) is there a sequence of changing species “types” from pioneer species adapted to harsh conditions to species adapted to high levels of competition; 3) is this sequence of types directional and the same across all sites with similar climatic conditions; and 4) does species diversity increase or decrease? Our study took place in 7 coastal dune forest sites of various ages regenerating after mining disturbance. We conducted tree surveys in 1999, 2001, 2005, and 2009 and herbaceous plant surveys in 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2005. We assessed trends in species turnover, composition, diversity, richness, and evenness to see if these were congruent with successional theories. Patterns in turnover for both taxa showed a decelerating decrease. Sites of a similar age shared similar species composition of coastal dune forest trees and herbaceous plants. As sites aged, they increased in the number and diversity of species. Succession-based management is a valid approach to dune forest rehabilitation as long as restoration managers recognize disturbance as an ecological reality.

  • coastal dune forest
  • chronosequence
  • mining
  • rehabilitation
  • succession

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.

Log in using your username and password

Forgot your user name or password?

Purchase access

You may purchase access to this article. This will require you to create an account if you don't already have one.
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Ecological Restoration: 30 (3)
Ecological Restoration
Vol. 30, Issue 3
1 Sep 2012
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Index by author
  • Back Matter (PDF)
  • Front Matter (PDF)
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Ecological Restoration.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Is Succession-based Management of Coastal Dune Forest Restoration Valid?
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Ecological Restoration
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Ecological Restoration web site.
Citation Tools
Is Succession-based Management of Coastal Dune Forest Restoration Valid?
Matthew J. Grainger, Rudi J. van Aarde
Ecological Restoration Sep 2012, 30 (3) 200-208; DOI: 10.3368/er.30.3.200

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Is Succession-based Management of Coastal Dune Forest Restoration Valid?
Matthew J. Grainger, Rudi J. van Aarde
Ecological Restoration Sep 2012, 30 (3) 200-208; DOI: 10.3368/er.30.3.200
Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
Bookmark this article

Jump to section

  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • Can Non-Native Species Explain Patterns of Convergence and Deviation in Regenerating Coastal Dune Forest?
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Container Type but not Substrate or Hydrogel affects Establishment of Sandhill Milkweed (Asclepias humistrata)
  • Effects of Restoration on Small Headwater Stream Quality
  • Natural Regeneration Dynamics of Himalayan Forests
Show more Research Article

Similar Articles

Keywords

  • coastal dune forest
  • chronosequence
  • mining
  • rehabilitation
  • succession
UW Press logo

© 2025 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

Powered by HighWire