1. Species (mainly woody types) with clear anthropological uses
2. Robust plants with available seed and high germination success
3. Fodder species with animal-dispersed seed.
Lists were compiled and seeds collected from species on Red Lists, Species of
Concern, and CITES-protected species.
Cover crop species were selected from earlier studies. Nonforested zones are
often covered by the dense growth of Tephrosia purpurea, an annual legume that
invades open habits that have been cleared of trees (Fig. 13.4). It produces seed
freely, has nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots, is unpalatable to cattle,
and appears suitable as a cover crop. Freshly collected seeds germinate evenly and
rapidly, with the mean germination time being 8 days.
Indigenous plant species selection focused on ‘‘pioneer’’ species that promote
rapid natural succession, and those considered as ‘‘framework’’ (Goosem and
Tucker 1995) or ‘‘structural’’ species. Pioneer species are those plants that colonize a disturbed habitat in the initial stages of restoration and are typically
abundant and widespread species. Framework species maybe herbs, trees or lianas
that occur in established vegetation and are important components of the structure
of the plant community. A list of suitable species is provided in Table 13.1.
Alternative Rehabilitation Options
As an alternative to recreating a natural ecosystem, the ‘‘replacement option’’ aims
to establish an alternative to indigenous vegetation. The following options were
considered in experimental trials:
1. Creation of woodlots using indigenous species (such as in Table 13.1) and
exotic cultivars (such as eucalypts)
2. Establishment of orchards of fruit trees, including citrus and non-citrus trees
3. Cultivation of agricultural crops and grazing pastures
Fig. 13.4 Disturbed area in
the Toliara Xeric Thicket
with an almost mono-specific
stand of the herbaceous
legume, Tephrosia purpurea,
which could be used as a
cover crop species
13 Restoration of Dune Ecosystems Following Mining in Madagascar and Namibia
205
2. Robust plants with available seed and high germination success
3. Fodder species with animal-dispersed seed.
Lists were compiled and seeds collected from species on Red Lists, Species of
Concern, and CITES-protected species.
Cover crop species were selected from earlier studies. Nonforested zones are
often covered by the dense growth of Tephrosia purpurea, an annual legume that
invades open habits that have been cleared of trees (Fig. 13.4). It produces seed
freely, has nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots, is unpalatable to cattle,
and appears suitable as a cover crop. Freshly collected seeds germinate evenly and
rapidly, with the mean germination time being 8 days.
Indigenous plant species selection focused on ‘‘pioneer’’ species that promote
rapid natural succession, and those considered as ‘‘framework’’ (Goosem and
Tucker 1995) or ‘‘structural’’ species. Pioneer species are those plants that colonize a disturbed habitat in the initial stages of restoration and are typically
abundant and widespread species. Framework species maybe herbs, trees or lianas
that occur in established vegetation and are important components of the structure
of the plant community. A list of suitable species is provided in Table 13.1.
Alternative Rehabilitation Options
As an alternative to recreating a natural ecosystem, the ‘‘replacement option’’ aims
to establish an alternative to indigenous vegetation. The following options were
considered in experimental trials:
1. Creation of woodlots using indigenous species (such as in Table 13.1) and
exotic cultivars (such as eucalypts)
2. Establishment of orchards of fruit trees, including citrus and non-citrus trees
3. Cultivation of agricultural crops and grazing pastures
Fig. 13.4 Disturbed area in
the Toliara Xeric Thicket
with an almost mono-specific
stand of the herbaceous
legume, Tephrosia purpurea,
which could be used as a
cover crop species
13 Restoration of Dune Ecosystems Following Mining in Madagascar and Namibia
205