Synthesis and Application of Spatial Strategies for Use of Vegetation to Minimise Connectivity

The knowledge that has been acquired in the project RECONDES on critical conditions necessary for plants and on the occurrence of such conditions in the landscape is used in combination with the analysis of processes to develop strategies that could be applied at critical points and locations, identified by the connectivity mapping, to produce greatest effectiveness of the vegetation measures. This is achieved at the plot and land unit scale based on measurements of plant conditions, and at the catchment scale with the analysis of vegetation cover and conditions, both scales involving identification of erosion hotspots from connectivity mapping and modelling. These results have provided the framework for recommendations on spatial strategies and targeting of revegetation and restoration. The analysis of the effectiveness of different types of plants and species is used to select appropriate plants for different locations in the landscape. This has informed the development of practical guidelines produced for use by land managers and advisors. The research was developed in a Mediterranean environment but has wider applicability to drylands prone to erosion by water.