From overgrazing to restoration: recovery strategies of dryland species after biomass removal

Introduction Restoring dryland ecosystems under ongoing global change is increasingly urgent, yet efforts are constrained by limited ecological and functional knowledge of native species. Particularly, comparative evidence on how successional species respond to herbivory remains scarce, limiting the development of effective restoration strategies. Objective To evaluate dryland successional species response to biomass removal, testing the role of life‐history traits and plant size in post‐disturbance (grazing) recovery. Methodology We conducted a greenhouse experiment applying clipping treatments to simulate grazing on juvenile plants of four native species (two early‐ and two intermediate‐successional). We quantified mortality and growth responses (height, diameter, volume, and branch and leaf production). Late‐successional species were not included due to limited seedling availability. Results Growth responses differed significantly among successional types, species identity, and clipping intensity. Smaller, early‐successional species generally showed faster and greater recovery than larger, intermediate species and differed in their allocation to apical versus lateral growth following clipping. Intermediate species displayed contrasting responses, with slight lateral compensation in one species and reduced growth in the other. Conclusion Recovery from biomass loss was primarily driven by life‐history strategy and life‐form rather than plant size. Early‐successional species displayed rapid, opportunistic responses, whereas intermediate species exhibited more conservative strategies, potentially linked to slower resource reallocation and/or lower tolerance to disturbance.