Riparian vegetation: Degradation, alien plant invasions, and restoration prospects

摘要: Rivers are conduits for materials and energy; this, the frequent intense disturbances that these systems experience, their narrow, linear nature, create problems conservation of biodiversity ecosystem functioning in face increasing human influence. In most parts world, riparian zones highly modified. Changes caused by alien plants — or environmental changes facilitate shifts dominance creating novel ecosystems often important agents perturbation systems. Many restoration projects underway. Objective frameworks based on an understanding biogeographical processes at different spatial scales (reach, segment, catchment), specific relationships between invasive resilience functioning, realistic endpoints needed to guide sustainable initiatives. This paper examines biogeography determinants composition structure vegetation temperate subtropical regions conceptualizes components We consider by, associated with, plant invasions, particular those lead breached abiotic- biotic thresholds. These pose challenges when formulating programmes. Pervasive escalating human-mediated multiple factors a range environments demand innovative pragmatic approaches restoration. The application new framework accommodating such complexity is demonstrated with reference hypothetical under three scenarios: (1) system unaffected plants; (2) initially uninvaded, but flood-generated incursion invasion-driven alteration; (3) affected both invasions engineering interventions. scheme has been used derive decision-making restoring South Africa could similar initiatives other world.