Assessing changes in structural vegetation and soil properties following riparian restoration

摘要: Abstract Efforts are underway in many areas to restore riparian zones arrest and/or reverse their degradation and the subsequent loss of ecosystem services they provide. Despite strong links between edaphic conditions zone function, limited research has tested how soil properties respond restoration, especially an experimental context. With this important knowledge gap mind, we established a field experiment asssess structural vegetation responses eight years following livestock exclusion replanting lowland streams south-eastern Australia. On three streams, paired restored control sites were experimentally monitored (stem density, cover bare ground tree canopy, loadings organic matter), once beforehand, then biennually after restoration. Selected (total carbon, total nitrogen, plant-available phosphorus) sampled shortly another five years. Significant changes occurred (e.g. decreased ground, increased plant stem matter, canopy cover). In contrast, those did not respond. A mega-drought throughout much study which was immediately followed by severe flooding. The floods redistributed matter at our sites, with effect mediated structure: probability retention positively correlated groundcover density plants. timing flooding also carbon could be due productivity these systems (for former), or potentially fertiliser inputs fixation latter). Our is first comprehensively test vegetation, litter layer surface will help guide development implementation other monitoring programmes.