Microsale revegetation of alpine lichen heath after wild boar digging: fifteen years of observations on permanent plots

The revegetation of alpine lichen heath after one-time wild boar (Sus scrota L.) digging has been studied on permanent plots set up in the alpine belt of the Mount Malaya Khatipara in the Teberda Reserve, the NW Caucasus (2,800 m a.sl) for fifteen years. The undisturbed plots of the same size were taken as a control. The cover of vascular plants and lichens has increased but has not reached the control index at the moment. The floristic richness has increased as well and it has exceeded the control one. Only typical for the undisturbed community species were found on disturbed plots but the relationship between species during the revegetation differed considerably. Population density of Luzula spicata (L) DC, Helictotrichon versicolor (Vill.) Pillger and Gentiana pyrenaica L. has been increasing constantly. It is supposed that these species demonstrate the "explerent" strategy properties (high colonization ability) and they can be recommended for the restoration of alpine lichen heaths.