Anna Abrahão, Universidade Federal do Ceará
Anna Abrahão
Universidade Federal do Ceará

I am a Professor at Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil since 2022. I have a PhD in Ecology (Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil) and Plant Biology (University of Western Australia) and work on plant nutrition, plant-soil feedbacks, invasive species and restoration ecology.

Abstract:

Poster #1


Direct-seeding restoration is associated with acquisitive nutrient-use and -acquisition traits

P. de B. COSTA, A. L. GILES, ANNA ABRAHÃO, M. CARDOSO, A. PETRONI, L. LOBO, L. VERONA, G. FAUSTINONI, I. B. SCHMIDIT, A. B. SAMPAIO, H. LAMBERS, L. ROWLAND, R. S. OLIVEIRA.
Department of Geography, Faculty of Environment Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

Restoration of native savannas in Brazil faces the challenge of invasive grass species used as forage for cattle. We assessed the success of a direct-seeding method to restore plant biomass, nutrient-use (i.e. leaf nutrient concentrations) and -acquisition traits (i.e. mycorrhizal colonization) in the plant community among restored, native, and abandoned pasture areas, occupied by exotic invasive grasses. After three years, nutrient-use and -acquisition traits in the restored area were similar to the abandoned pasture site, and distinct from those at the native site. The restoration site still showed dominance of species with high leaf nutrient concentrations and a high dependence on root mycorrhizal colonization to acquire nutrients. Fast-growing species in the restoration site, that respond to higher soil nutrient concentration, led to a higher aboveground biomass stock, and a potential increase in flammability. The restored vegetation studied represents a step forward in restoration projects in neotropical savannahs in terms of limiting the colonization of exotic and invasive species. However, there are still important plant-soil feedbacks to understand to improve restoration practices to help avoid re-invasion in the long term.

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