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ResearchProject
Long-term monitoring of vegetation dynamics before and after rat eradication in Tetiaroa atoll
This project focuses on the effect of rat eradication on forest dynamics. Annual monitoring of seedlings, recruitment of native woody species, and percentage of herbaceous plant cover were started on Motu Reiono and Motu Ahuroa in 2018 and 2021. The prelimina.
Sampling is conducted along twenty 25 m long transects representing 1,000 one square meter quadrats.
This work has revealed:
- a slow decrease of Pisonia grandis seedlings with time in both motus;
- an increase of Cocos nucifera seedlings in Reiono but not in Ahuroa ;
- a strong increase of Pandanus tectorius and Guettarda speciosa seedlings, especially in Ahuroa ;
- an increase of the cover of herbaceous plant ( Boerhavia tetrandra in Reiono, Portulaca oleracea in Ahuroa), and native ferns ( Asplenius nidus and Microsorum grossum );
- the role and importance of natural disturbances (high swells, tree fall gaps caused by strong winds) in seed germination and seedlings survival during several years of monitoring.
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