Format: ORAL

Alejandro Gomez1, Juan F. Mota Poveda2 (jmota@ual.es), Fabián Martínez Hernández2, Antonio J. Mendoza Fernández3, Francisco J. Pérez García2, Esteban Salmerón Sánchez2, Federico Escudero Clarés2, Rebecca E. Drenovsky4, Hailey Whitten4, M. Encarna Merlo Calvente2

1 New Mexico University, New Mexico, USA. 2 University of de Almería, Almería, España. 3 University of Granada, Granada, España. 4 John Carroll University, Ohio, USA.

This research delves into reconciling gypsum mining with sustainable development in a scenario of Global Change. Our research was conducted in a quarry situated within the Protected Area of the Gypsum Karst Natural Park in Sorbas (Almería, Spain). The exploitation of this quarry ceased eight years prior to the initiation of this study, which spans from 2009 to 2024. Ten permanent plots were established there, with dimensions of 20 × 50 m. The presence of perennial vascular plants was documented in these plots over the course of 15 years. Our main objective revolves around monitoring the temporal trajectory of spontaneous succession within the quarry, juxtaposing it with undisturbed shrubland as the reference ecosystem. To this end, we also sampled five similar plots within the shrubland. We hypothesized that a largely predictable convergent successional development will occur, which can serve as a model for habitat restoration. Based on the floristic composition of the plots and the functional types present (based on the degree of gypsophily), we investigated the convergence/divergence of species composition and functional types, characterized by the degree of gypsophily. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis was used considering 15 succession points (years) relative to the five corresponding reference points in undisturbed shrublands. Reductions in dispersion over time indicate convergence, while increases signify divergence. Our findings consistently demonstrate a convergent trajectory towards the reference ecosystem, albeit with varying rates of convergence. These results underscore the importance of autogenic succession as a geoecological model to consider for habitat restoration. This research advances our understanding of primary succession dynamics in gypsum quarries after mining cessation, shedding light on the intricate relationship between natural environments and disturbed areas. Importantly, it highlights the fundamental role of scientific knowledge transfer in facilitating effective ecological restoration within gypsum habitats, designated as priority habitats by the EU.