EVALUATION OF A TECHNICAL REVEGETATION ACTION PERFORMED

ESCARAY, F; F. J. C. ROSIQUE; SCAMBATO A; BILENCA, D; P. M. C. SORLI´; A. V. MATARREDONA; RUIZ O; ANA BERNARDINA MENENDEZ

LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2010

1085-3278

We have evaluated the level of restoration achieved by a technical revegetation action carried out on reconstructed foredunes atthe DevesaQ5 de la Albufera and compared this level with that achieved by spontaneous succession. Foredunes 1, 3, 6 and 20 yold since revegetated (1, 3, 6 and 20 y, respectively) were considered as spatially separated stages representing a successionaltrend in the development of the restored plant community. Lower and similar levels of diversity (richness and H´ and Pielou´sindexes) and coverage, respectively, were found on dunes corresponding to the oldest stage of technical revegetation comparedwith that of the reference site. Diversity and coverage parameters increased during the first 6 y of the technical succession anddecreased after 20 y of revegetation. Moreover, that increase was quite obvious as early as 3 y after the onset of revegetation.Results also showed that the Devesa de la Albufera has its own capacity for revegetation. According to the Jaccard and Sørensenindexes, these dunes were more similar to the reference than those from the 20 y old site. Beyond the current functionality of therevegetated sites, it is concluded that the natural and aesthetic values may be restored at the Valencian Devesa de la Albufera