Using a trait-based approach for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of hillslope seep wetland vegetation cover to disturbances in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Hill slope seep wetlands are ecologically and economically important ecosystems as they supply a variety of ecosystem services to society. In South Africa, livestock grazing is recognised as one of the most important disturbance factors changing the structure and function of hill slope seep wetlands. This study sought to investigate the potential effect of livestock grazing on the resilience and vulnerability of hillslope seep wetland vegetation cover using a trait based approach (TBA). Changes in vegetation cover were used as a surrogate for indicating grazing intensity. The degree of human disturbances was assessed using the Anthropogenic Activity Index (AAI). A TBA was developed using seven plant traits, resolved into 27 trait attributes. Based on the developed approach, plant species were grouped into vulnerable and resilient groups in relation to grazing pressure. It was then predicted that species belonging to the vulnerable group would be less dominant at the highly disturbed sit...山坡渗流湿地（hill slope seep wetlands）是兼具生态与经济价值的重要生态系统，可为社会提供多样的生态系统服务。在南非，畜牧放牧被认为是改变山坡渗流湿地结构与功能的最重要干扰因素之一。本研究采用基于性状的研究方法（trait based approach, TBA），旨在探究畜牧放牧对山坡渗流湿地植被覆盖的恢复力与脆弱性的潜在影响。本研究以植被覆盖的变化作为衡量放牧强度的替代指标，并采用人类活动指数（Anthropogenic Activity Index, AAI）对人类干扰程度进行评估。研究选取7种植物性状，将其拆解为27个性状属性，构建了基于性状的研究方法框架。基于所构建的方法，研究人员根据放牧压力将植物物种划分为脆弱类群与恢复力类群。随后研究预测，在受干扰程度极高的样地中，隶属于脆弱类群的物种占比会更低……