Euclyptus lenceolatus is seen to form thick patches on previously disturbed forests. How the mono-cultures will affect the overall biota in an ecosystem?
Dear Asghar,
The 'effectiveness' of reforestation programmes has varied meaning.
If Euclyptus lenceolatus is native to that place, then its ok, no complaints. Eucalyptus is a fast growing tree which is important as source of timber.
However, if it is exotic to the local flora then its introduction may lead to following events:
1. Local shrubs and undergrowth may decline in population, mainly due to competence and allelopathy exhibited by Eucalyptus.
2. The canopy coverage of Eucalyptus is already low, in addition as undergrowth starts declining, its direct impact could be rising rate of soil erosion. This is crucial as you have mentioned that the planned reforestation site is a mountain slope.
3. In this 'novel' ecosystem, species with high competency and encroaching capacity may try to invade, but they will eventually fail. Subsequently another species may try to establish itself but it may or may not succeed either. Hence in due course of remnant patches of invading species may gather.
4. Some species of mycorrhizal fungi like Pisolithus, Scleroderma, Ramaria may also be seen at such forest floor during rainy season. However they will only help in establishment of Eucalyptus (and no other plant) in such afforested site.
Ultimate scenario of such ecosystem may be the loss of soil health, dominance of Eucalyptus, coupled with gradual loss of native vegetation and introduction of new highly competitive 'invasive' population with low species richness.
Best Wishes,
Prakash
As you observe, mono type vegetation and plants are very rare in natural ecosystems, unless dominated by man's influence. So mono-culture techniques may not prove highly useful in reforestation of dry mountains. A combination of compatible species and techniques will always be useful. Eucalyptus dominates many situations but it has disadvantages as well. In the long run it disturbs the natural ecosystems.
Dear Asghar,
The 'effectiveness' of reforestation programmes has varied meaning.
If Euclyptus lenceolatus is native to that place, then its ok, no complaints. Eucalyptus is a fast growing tree which is important as source of timber.
However, if it is exotic to the local flora then its introduction may lead to following events:
1. Local shrubs and undergrowth may decline in population, mainly due to competence and allelopathy exhibited by Eucalyptus.
2. The canopy coverage of Eucalyptus is already low, in addition as undergrowth starts declining, its direct impact could be rising rate of soil erosion. This is crucial as you have mentioned that the planned reforestation site is a mountain slope.
3. In this 'novel' ecosystem, species with high competency and encroaching capacity may try to invade, but they will eventually fail. Subsequently another species may try to establish itself but it may or may not succeed either. Hence in due course of remnant patches of invading species may gather.
4. Some species of mycorrhizal fungi like Pisolithus, Scleroderma, Ramaria may also be seen at such forest floor during rainy season. However they will only help in establishment of Eucalyptus (and no other plant) in such afforested site.
Ultimate scenario of such ecosystem may be the loss of soil health, dominance of Eucalyptus, coupled with gradual loss of native vegetation and introduction of new highly competitive 'invasive' population with low species richness.
Best Wishes,
Prakash
Monocultures have gotten a bad wrap! I disagree with Nazier's statement that "monotype vegetation is rare in natural ecosystems." There are many tree species that grow in "pure stands," Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) thrives on hot dry fire-prone sites where little else can survive. These stands are often referred to as "Pine barrens." Another case of a long-persisting monoculture is Pando, or the "trembling giant." It is a clonal colony of aspen in Utah that is estimated to be 80,000 years old. It is one of many large clonal aspen colonies in the western US.
I don't disagree that mixed species ecosystems aren't more common than single-species dominated ecosystems, but I wouldn't consider them to be rare.
Are they as diverse as mixes-species forests? No, but if a single species is all that you can get to grow well, that is what you should plant. They will attract more biodiversity than bare ground.
For planting especially on harsh sites like what you (Asghar) describe, plant what works.
Dear Charles thank you for your point of view. I will never say that leave the land bare and do not grow a mono crop. In the situations where a mono plant can only grow is far better than leaving it bare. There is always some vegetation growing underneath mono plants like pines etc. What I said means that if a combination of plants is possible over a site, it should be preferred because it has many advantages.
Our synthesis of effects of plantation forestry on plant species richness may be useful to you: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226221737_Does_plantation_forestry_restore_biodiversity_or_create_green_deserts_A_synthesis_of_the_effects_of_land-use_transitions_on_plant_species_richness
Article Does plantation forestry restore biodiversity or create gree...
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