Patterns and drivers of natural regeneration on old-fields in semi-arid floodplain ecosystems

摘要: Abstract Socio-economic and environmental drivers are causing large scale abandonment of agricultural land worldwide. Simultaneously, there is growing recognition that urgent widespread revegetation required in our landscapes to restore biodiversity, ecosystem services promote carbon sequestration. The design effective strategies, however, can be limited by a lack knowledge regarding patterns processes regeneration. Here, we examine naturally regenerating woody vegetation on 12 old-fields compare this paired remnant across four regions semi-arid area eastern Australia. We found exhibited similarities terms composition but varied substantially with respect key structural attributes. Woody tends regenerate these relatively high density given sufficient time (~ 30–40 years), prior this, very recovery occurs at all. richness tree seedling shrub assemblages did not differ between old-field areas. However, areas differed had higher species richness. Old-fields extremely low numbers exotic trees shrubs. most dominant native present the were also observed old-fields, contributing degree compositional difference overall. abundance paddock trees, since mean annual rainfall influencing natural regeneration old-fields. recommend viable form restoration northern Murray-Darling Basin time.