Stroke Patients’ Reintegration into Normal Living Post-Discharge from Inpatient Rehabilitation: An Integrative Review

Background: Stroke rehabilitation professionals have historically focused rehabilitation on physical functions and overlooked the concept of community reintegration after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The lack of focus on psychosocial functions post-stroke may lead to lower levels of satisfaction during community reintegration. Methods: This integrative review synthesized findings from research literature on stroke patients’ reintegration into the community after inpatient rehabilitation to address three research questions: a) What specific physical and psychosocial functions have been identified as predictors of successful reintegration into normal living after stroke?, b) How do physical and psychosocial functions promote successful reintegration into normal living after stroke?, and c) What factors have been identified that hinder stroke patients’ reintegration into normal living after stroke? Results: A systematic search of literature identified sixteen studies that provided significant context for the research questions. What physical and psychosocial functions of stroke patients included, for example, improved mobility, independence in daily activities, reduced disability, psychological well-being, self-efficacy, social support, and personal relationships. How physical and psychosocial functions promote reintegration included, for example, disability management, emotional well-being, self-care independence, sense of purpose, and employment influence. Factors that hinder stroke patients’ reintegration consisted of longer stride time, impaired balance/mobility, activities limitation, severe stroke, presence of comorbidity, depressive symptoms, speech and language challenges, inadequate self-efficacy, fear of falling, older age, low educational level, lack of social support, and social isolation. Conclusion: Successful community reintegration after stroke requires a shift of focus from rehabilitation interventions that target physical functions to include interventions that address psychosocial functions.

Participatory Land Rehabilitation Strategies in Angacha District, Kembata Zone, Central Ethiopia Region

Community participation has become widely incorporated into policies of many soil and water conservation organizations. The purpose of this study was to assess the community participation in the rehabilitation of degraded land. In order to achieve the objective of the study, both primary and secondary data were generated by employing qualitative and quantitative data. Purposive sampling was employed to select three study kebeles (the smallest administrative structure of the country) from 16 rural kebeles in Angecha District. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 183 household heads from the lists of farmers in the selected kebeles for detailed household survey. In addition to household survey, field observation and key informant interview were also conducted to collect the necessary data. The data were presented using descriptive statistic such as percentage, frequency, tables and figure. The data collected through the use of household survey questionnaires were analyzed using logit regression while data collected through field observation and key informant interview were analyzed and interpreted using qualitative description. The findings of the present study revealed that population pressure, soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, and over cultivation were the major causes for land degradation. Moreover, the results of this study indicated that the main causes of the low productivity of farmland were farmers’ involvement in off-farm activities, increase in size of human population, lack of full cooperation of family members to involve in land rehabilitation practices. Households participated in rehabilitation practices at different levels, with 43.7% respondents showing intermediate participation. However, 22.4% of the farm households clarified that there is low experience sharing and motivation to participate in the process of implementation of rehabilitation programs. It is recommended that, continuous training and experience sharing program, immediate action to increase the number of literate persons, to practicing compatible practices for the agro climatic zone such as soil bund, Fanyaaju, stone bunds, and tree planting, extending effective practices, create opportunities for alternative means of livelihood and promoting NGOs effort to involve in land rehabilitation practices in the highly degraded area.

An Exploratory Study on the Meaning of Using Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation among Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities

This study explores the meaning of the use of community psychiatric rehabilitation(CPR)services to gain knowledge to improve services and shed more light on how to facilitate recovery.The topics explored included:the motivation for participation,perception and expectation towards CPR,the interactions with professionals in the CPR Center,and the feelings towards activities.A qualitative approach was adopted,and 30 consumers were interviewed face-to-face by using semi-structured interview guide.Data were analyzed using the open coding method of grounded theory.The consumer accounts provided information on the eight aspects of CPR services.The findings revealed that the CPR Center created a lifeworld,a friendly place similar to home with structure and activities.Professional relationship was the key change agent for rehabilitation.Most professionals adopted recovery-oriented approach to empower participants by giving opportunities and choices.The essential ingredients of this lifeworld covered rehabilitation goals,physical exercises,psychological impact,social interactions,learning,and economic gains.The services were venues for interpersonal interactions and provided structure for daily life,which helped consumers reach their rehabilitation goals and brought existential meaning to their lives.Yet,the accounts also revealed negative phenomena in the CPR center.Suggestions were made to improve services.

Positioning and function of secondary general hospital in community rehabilitation of disabled persons-a case study of a secondary general hospital in Changsha city

Objective:the positioning of secondary hospitals in the community rehabilitation work system and the status of community medical rehabilitation ser-vices for the disabled in Changsha were clarified through investigation and study of the 2019 income of a second-ary general hospital in Changsha.Suggestions from var-ious parties were integrated to provide feasible ideas for expanding the role of secondary hospitals in community rehabilitation.Methods:the 2019 income of a secondary general hospital in Changsha was statistically analyzed,a community rehabilitation questionnaire was designed,and a field survey was carried out focusing on 19 issues including rehabilitation service items,rehabilitation facil-ities and equipment,and the satisfaction of rehabilitation practitioners.Results:in the total hospitalization expenses of a secondary general hospital in Changsha city in 2019,rehabilitation physiotherapy expenses accounted for 7%,and drug treatment expenses accounted for 25%.In addi-tion,in the survey of community rehabilitation service sat-isfaction for the disabled,the difference between the very dissatisfied and very satisfied groups was statistically sig-nificant(P<0.05).Conclusion:taking a secondary gener-al hospital in Changsha city as an example,the treatment methods in secondary general hospitals are still dominated by traditional drug therapy,and the disabled are not sat-isfied with community rehabilitation services.Therefore,rehabilitation treatment projects to meet the rehabilitation needs of the disabled should be promoted in hospitals.

Comprehensive therapeutic effect of the stroke rehabilitation unit in a medium-sized comprehensive community hospital

BACKGROUND： Acute stroke unit （stroke care unit） is developing in some domestic large-sized hospitals, but most stroke patients need stroke rehabilitation unit therapy, so setting stroke rehabilitation unit in medium-sized comprehensive community hospital （secondary hospital）, where medical facility is relatively insufficient, is a new pathway to satisfy stroke patients. OBJECTIVE： To observe the comprehensive effect of developing stroke rehabilitation unit based on the facility of secondary hospital and its feasibility. DESIGN： Non-randomized concurrent controlled observation SETTING： Department of Neurology, Beijing Longfu Hospital PARTICIPANTS： Totally 264 stroke reconvalescents who suffered stroke for 7 days and received treatment in the Department of Neurology, Beijing Longfu Hospital during June 2003 to June 2005 were involved in the study. All the involved patients were confirmed by CT or MRI. The patients were scored by using Modified Edinbergh-Scandinavia stroke scale （SSS） 〉 16 points. Written informed consents were obtained from all the patients. The patients were assigned into 2 groups according to the willing of patients and their relatives： （1）treatment group, in which, there were 134 patients, 76 males and 58 females, aged 43 to 74 years; cerebral infarction was found in 116 cases and cerebral hemorrhage in 18 cases;（2） control group, in which, there were 130 patients, 66 males and 64 females, aged 45 to 77 years, cerebral infarction was found in 115 cases and cerebral hemorrhage in 15 cases. There were significant differences in baseline data of the patients between two groups. METHODS： A same basic treatment was conducted in the patients of the two groups. （1） Patients in the treatment group admitted to stroke rehabilitation unit and received comprehensive rehabilitation treatment. The rehabilitation flow-sheet： randomization-letting the patients of treatment group go into the unit-making comprehensive assessment in the initial stage-making therapy plan-talking with patients and their other family members-general rehabilitation-making metaphase assessment-adjusting therapy plan-making final assessment-letting the patients discharge and doing follow-up visits. （2） The patients in the control group admitted to common wards, and they were encouraged to do activities by themselves in the early stage, but did not receive rehabilitation training under the instructions from professional physicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The following assessments were conducted on admission and 7 and 28 days after admission： （1） Severity of stroke and motor function： scored as 0 to 45 points by SSS, the higher points, the severer damage. （2）Activities of daily living： Evaluated by Barthel index, 110 points in total, 110 points meant normal, 0 point meant extremely poor. （3）Mental status： evaluated by Hopkin＇s symptom scale with a 5-point scoring. The symptom was scored with low to high points. （4）Cognitive function： Quantification measurement was conducted with LOTCA method. The higher points, the better therapeutic effects. RESULTS： （1） Three cases dropped out and one died in the treatment group, 11 cases dropped out and 4 died in the control group. （2）The neurologic impairment points on 7 and 28 days after therapy in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group separately [7 days：（9.73±6.43） points vs. （12.63± 7.87） points, t =2.28, P〈 0.05;28 days：（7.88±4.81） points vs. （9.84±7.03）points, t =2.04, P〈 0.05]. Barthel index on 7 and 28 days after therapy in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group separately [7 days：（54.28±8.38） points vs. （39.76±7.31） points, t =2.206, P 〈 0.05; 28 days： （89.72±7.94） points vs. （67.34±8.63） points, t =2.812, P 〈 0.01]. （4） Patients were allocated into different age groups based on age and evaluated with LOTCA. Results showed that there were no significant differences among different age groups （P 〉 0.05）. （5） Totally 160 patients in the two groups accomplished the Hopkin＇s test, among them, 94 （58.7%） had different mental disorders; Among the patients with mental disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety were found mostly, being 53.8%, 52.5% and 46.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION： （1） Developing stroke rehabilitation unit therapy in the secondary hospital can obviously improve the motor function and activities of daily living of stroke reconvalescents. （2） More than half of the stroke reconvalescents accompany the symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety and other mental disorders. （3） The cognitive function of stroke reconvalescents is not related to age.

Plant community composition and interspecific relationships among dominant species on a post-seismic landslide in Hongchun Gully, China

The 5.12 Earthquake in 2008 and 8.14 Debris Flow in 2010 resulted in large-scale landslides that disturbed vast areas of vegetation in the Hongchun Gully, Wenchuan County, China. To define the specific characteristics of vegetation restoration during natural recovery after catastrophic events,vegetation species composition and interspecific associations were investigated on this typical landslide. Field survey data selected from a total of 51 sample plots belonged to seven belt transects and were analysed by Schluter's variance ratio, pearson's chi-squared test, Spearman's correlation coefficients and ecological species groups. Plant communities on the landslide consisted of 78 species, 65 genera and52 families. Of the total of 78 species, 25 are identified as dominant species, among which Camptotheca acuminate, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, Coriaria nepalensis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Buddleja alternifolia, Anemone vitifolia and Nephrolepis auriculata play a constructive role during the natural afforestation. Moreover, according to environmental and ecological factors, these 25 dominant species could be divided into four ecological species groups.This study found that even though the landslide had frequently suffered from interference due to heavy rain, the vegetation succession processes are ongoing,and it is now at a shrub–herb community succession stage, which indicates that vegetation can naturally recover in the denuded sites. This study provides a useful insight into the ecological interactions and interdependence between plant species during the natural recovery of vegetation and provides valuable information on vegetation recovery modelling in the landslide area.

Role of Community Health Practitioners in National Development: The Nigeria Situation

This is a review paper that brings to focus, concepts of Community Health Practice that connect Community Health Practitioners’ Roles to National development in view of its composite index improvement measure of social welfare services provision among others for the citizens of a country over time, with particular emphasis on medical care component of such index aimed at reduction in diseases and poverty in the population. The objective of the review work is to determine the extent to which Community Health Practice, particularly by Community Health Practitioners is capable of ensuring National Development in democratic governance or otherwise, in the context of our country, Nigeria. The methodology applied was traditional review of published literatures concerning the subject and findings of operational research of programme implemented by Community Health Practitioners at the Primary Health Care facilities and household level in the communities. This paper emphasizes on Primary Health Care services delivery contribution to National Development, since it is the level where Community Health Practitioners are mainly commissioned to render their services. Home-Based Care Strategy for Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health piloted in three (3) local government areas (Ahoada West, Etche and Oyigbo) in Rivers State, Nigeria, in 2012 and implemented by Community Health Practitioners, aimed at reducing maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality by 20% by 2015 in line with the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, had been shown to achieve an average of 26% improvement in utilization of maternal and newborn health services, an average of 27% overall reduction in maternal malnutrition status, an average of 14% overall improvement in under 5 years malnutrition status among others in 2013 on comparing with baseline indicators. Nigeria also attained 80% coverage in routine immunization in most vaccine preventable diseases except Tetanus Toxiod (TT) 2 (54%) in 2013 to achieve herd immunity of the community to prevent transmission of disease pathogen to cause a disease. Community Health Practitioners are the frontline Primary Health Care Professionals charged with the responsibility of implementation of immunization programmes in Nigeria and therefore contributing significantly to the prevention and control of targeted vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria Health System. Our findings on factors militating against Community Health Practitioners’ Roles in National Development as elicited in this paper may form basis for empirical studies to determine the level of significance of each of these factors. In conclusion, it is when the Community Health parameters are adequately addressed that we can ensure sustainable National Development and we can say we have succeeded in our various strategic agenda of government at whatever level that makes up the complex whole. This brings to fore, the importance of the roles of Community Health Practitioners in health care delivery to National Development in the context of our country, Nigeria.

Research Progress on the Influence of Movement Instruction on Community Life in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

The incidence of coronary heart disease increases year by year with the material level of our country.It has a harmful effect on the patient’s life health and quality of life.Movement Instruction is an important aspect of the secondary prevention project of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary heart disease.Although it has a history of decades at inland and abroad,the present situation in China is not optimistic.Some studies have shown that the popularization and participation of cardiac rehabilitation is true and lacking.This paper sums up the relevant knowledge of coronary heart disease,coronary heart disease movement instruction and its impact on community life of patients at home and abroad,and reviews the research results of movement instruction on community rehabilitation of coronary heart disease in recent years,which provides a theoretical reference and prospect for the future research of community exercise rehabilitation of coronary heart disease.

Reasonable grazing may balance the conflict between grassland utilization and soil conservation in the semi-arid hilly areas, China

Soil erosion caused by unsustainable grazing is a major driver of grassland ecosystem degradation in many semi-arid hilly areas in China.Thus,grazing exclusion is considered as an effective method for solving this issue in such areas.However,some ecological and economic problems,such as slow grassland rejuvenation and limited economic conditions,have become obstacles for the sustainable utilization of grassland ecosystem.Accordingly,we hypothesized that the conflict between grassland use and soil conservation may be balanced by a reasonable grazing intensity.In this study,a two-year grazing fence experiment with five grazing intensity gradients was conducted in a typical grassland of the Loess Plateau in China to evaluate the responses of vegetation characteristics and soil and water losses to grazing intensity.The five grazing intensity gradients were 2.2,3.0,4.2,6.7,and 16.7 goats/hm2,which were represented by G1-G5,respectively,and no grazing was used as control.The results showed that a reasonable grazing intensity was conducive to the sustainable utilization of grassland resources.Vegetation biomass under G1-G4 grazing intensity significantly increased by 51.9%,42.1%,36.9%,and 36.7%,respectively,compared with control.In addition,vegetation coverage increased by 19.6%under G1 grazing intensity.Species diversity showed a single peak trend with increasing grazing intensity.The Shannon-Wiener diversity index under G1-G4 grazing intensities significantly increased by 22.8%,22.5%,13.3%,and 8.3%,respectively,compared with control.Furthermore,grazing increased the risk of soil erosion.Compared with control,runoff yields under G1-G5 grazing intensities increased by 1.4,2.6,2.8,4.3,and 3.9 times,respectively,and sediment yields under G1-G5 grazing intensities were 3.0,13.0,20.8,34.3,and 37.7 times greater,respectively,than those under control.This result was mainly attributed to a visible decrease in litter biomass after grazing,which decreased by 50.5%,72.6%,79.0%,80.0%,and 76.9%,respectively,under G1-G5 grazing intensities.By weighing the grassland productivity and soil conservation function,we found that both two aims were achieved at a low grazing intensity of less than 3.5 goats/hm2.Therefore,it is recommended that grassland should be moderately utilized with grazing intensity below 3.5 goats/hm2 in semi-arid hilly areas to achieve the dual goals of ecological and economic benefits.The results provide a scientific basis for grassland utilization and health management in semi-arid hilly areas from the perspective of determining reasonable grazing intensity to maintain both grassland production and soil conservation functions.

Regenerating Communal Place and Housing Rehabilitation:The Building of a Community Public Space in Beijing's Former Socialistic Public Housing Area

The rehabilitation of former socialistic public housing areas is one of the most important challenges to Chinese cities nowadays.In Beijing Chaoyang District,a pilot project for housing rehabilitation has been implemented recently by rebuilding community public space in a former socialistic public housing community.As a small-scale and bottom-up initiative,the project introduced the innovative measures,including resident participation,human-centred design and financing of sharing,in order to regenerate communal place in old housing area.The effects of the project are positive,and the local government has accordingly promoted its successful experiences.Moreover,this latest case of the attempts also offers an opportunity for revealing and rethinking the existing challenges to the housing rehabilitation.

Chinese Medicine Involving Triple Rehabilitation Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis in 696 Outpatients:A Multi-Center,Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective:To determine the effects of Chinese medicine(CM)involving triple rehabilitation therapy on the progression of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods:A total of 722 patients recruited from 38 community health service centers located in China from March 2013 to March 2017 were randomly divided into treatment and control groups equally,using a cluster randomization design.Health education combined with CM involving triple rehabilitation therapy for KOA(electro-acupuncture,Chinese medicinal herb fumigating-washing,and traditional exercises)was administered in the treatment group while conventional rehabilitation therapy(physical factor therapy,joint movement training,and muscle strength training)was administered in the control group.Patients with a visual analog scale(VAS)scores>A were treated with dispersible meloxicam tablets(7.5 mg,once daily).The Lequesne index scores,VAS scores,range of motion(ROM),lower limb muscle strength,knee joint circumference,quantitative scores of KOA symptoms,and the short-form 36 item health survey questionnaire(SF-36)scores were measured for each patient at 5 checkpoints(before treatment,at the 2nd week and the 4th week during the 4-week treatment period,at 1 month and 3 months after end of treatment),and adverse reactions were observed also.Results:A total of 696 patients completed the entire process,with 351 in the treatment group and 345 in the control group.At all treatment checkpoints,the treatment group demonstrated better outcomes than the control group with regard to the total Lequesne index scores,effective rate and improvement rate of the total Lequesne index scores,VAS scores,lower limb muscle strength,knee circumference,quantitative scores of KOA symptoms,and SF-36 scores as well(P<0.05 or P<0.01).No adverse reactions were encountered in this study.Conclusions:CM involving triple rehabilitation therapy can alleviate KOA-related pain and swelling,improve lower limb muscle strength,promote flexion and activity of the knee and improve the quality of life in patients undergoing KOA.It is suitable for patients with early or mid-stage KOA.(Registration No.ChiCTR-TRC-12002538)

Exercise awareness and barriers after spinal cord injury

Exercise is an essential element in managing several of the non-communicable diseases after spinal cord injury(SCI).Awareness of the importance of prescribing a customized exercise program that meets the goals of persons with SCI should be highly considered in the rehabilitation community.The barriers of implementing specific exercise program as well as the factors that may mask the outcomes of regular exercise regimen need to be continuously addressed as a part of patients’rehabilitation care.The focus of this editorial is to encourage the medical community to consider routine physical activity as one of the necessary vital signs that needs to be routinely checked in patients with SCI.Providing education tips,nutritional counseling and engaging in recreational programs may provide motivational route to the community of SCI.This may result in reinforcing active lifestyle in survivors with SCI as well as to reduce the impact of chronic life threatening medical disorders.

Getting 'holistic' about land rehabilitation in hot arid regions

The paper describes Western Australian examples and causes of land degradation. Itoutlines shortcomings in the methodologies used to rehabilitate these areas. From this a protocolis suggested for an ‘holistic' approach to land rehabilitation.

Self-care in stroke patients and the capability of primary caregivers

Stroke rehabilitation, especially for patients with sequelae, lacks practicable rehabilitation training methods. Using the convenience sampling method, self-care ability in 60 stroke patients was investigated for 6 months to 2 years post-stroke （sequelae stage）, as well as the capability of primary caregivers selected from two communities in Shanghai, China. Influential factors were analyzed. Results demonstrated that only 37% of stroke patients exhibited strong self-care ability, and 43% of primary caregivers provided high levels of care. Results also demonstrated that self-care ability in stroke patients, as well as the capability of primary caregivers, should be improved. A total of 47% of stroke patients participated in community rehabilitation training, and self-care ability was significantly better in this group than in patients who did not receive rehabilitation training. Thus it is necessary to develop systematic, individualized, and family-based rehabilitative strategies to improve community rehabilitation training modes and strengthen rehabilitation guidance for patients and caregivers.

Factors Impacting Participatory Post‑Disaster Relocation and Housing Reconstruction:The Case of Tsholotsho District,Zimbabwe

Relocation is not typically considered the best planning option for post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation,but it may be necessary if the site has suffered severe damage or is at imminent risk.There is a growing recognition that strong community participation is necessary in the post-disaster relocation decision-making process since relocation can have detrimental effects on a community’s livelihood,cultural system,and way of life,among others.However,the realization of this still needs to be improved.As of yet,few studies have examined a comprehensive account of meaningful community engagement in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction,particularly in developing countries.This study investigated what factors influenced local communities’ participation in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction works after the 2017Cyclone Dineo flood disaster in the Tsholotsho District of Zimbabwe.Qualitative research methods such as face-to-face interviews,observations,and focus groups were used to collect qualitative data from a purposive sample of 25 community members and 6 stakeholders.This empirical investigation showed that despite the fact that the relocation project was conceived as a community-centered project,there was no meaningful community engagement,due to the absence of a participatory framework or planning guidelines for stakeholder engagement,as well as the lack of political willingness among government officials.The study concluded that the lack of community involvement led to local communities abandoning the reconstruction sites because relocation projects failed to accommodate the cultural beliefs,place attachments,and livelihood concerns of local communities.This study suggested that it is imperative to enhance the awareness of government officials and other stakeholders about the importance of community participation for the effective implementation of post-disaster relocation works.Meaningful community participation can also provide avenues for incorporating local needs and concerns,cultural beliefs,and alternative and sustainable livelihood restoration,which are essential for effective reconstruction after disasters.This research aimed to enrich the academic discourse by providing valuable insights into the intricacies of postdisaster recovery initiatives in the country.

Impact of the non-indigenous shrub species Spartium junceum (Fabaceae) on native vegetation in central Spain

Aims The introduction of potentially invasive species through ornamental cultivation or for rehabilitation purposes is a serious environmental problem.They cause damage to biodiversity through loss,increased mortality or‘in situ’selection phenomena in natural flora.Spartium junceum is a Mediterranean shrub that is not native in most areas of the Iberian Peninsula,although it is extensively grown for the rehabilitation of roadsides.We have investigated the effect on the native vegetation of an old S.junceum(Fabaceae)plantation in a conservation area in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula:the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares nature reserve in Madrid.Methods We compared S.junceum stands with the native nanophanerophytic Cistus ladanifer community at different ecosystem properties:soil properties,temporal soil seed bank contents,standing vegetation and net primary production of annual grasslands growing in these shrublands.Important Findings The results highlighted S.junceum’s ability to become established in the new environment(marginal areas of the nature reserve)and ensure its successful growth.This is more apparent in northern and eastern exposures where this formation contacts with the core of the best conserved native vegetation in the nature reserve.Soils under Spartium showed a higher nitrogen content,indicating its capacity-in common with other legumes-to fix N,and conferring an advantage over Cistus,which is N-limited.Other soil nutrients such as phosphorus,magnesium and calcium and water availability are also higher in Spartium soils than in Cistus.Phosphorus is usually a constraint for N-fixers,but in our study,it is the most significant soil variable in both shrub formations and is important to the success of Spartium.Water availability is a key factor for Mediterranean vegetation,and particularly in autumn when soils are recharged.The Spartium formation is able to retain water as its growth produces a closer canopy than Cistus,thereby preventing water evaporation and contributing to the success of this species.Perennials are more frequent in the standing vegetation than in the seed bank,whereas therophytes are similar.The standing vegetation has therophytes and chamaephytes as the predominant growth forms in Spartium sites,and hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes in Cistus.Therophytes are dominant in Spartium and Cistus seed banks,although the first formation has more species.Spartium has a higher number of hemicryptophytes and Cistus is higher in phanerophytes.Northern and eastern aspects show significant differences in richness-with a predominance of annual weed species in Spartium-and in aboveground net primary production,probably as a consequence of the nutrients present in the soils.Ruderal annual species under Spartium(Bromus tectorum,Chenopodium album)have higher germination rates in the greenhouse than in the standing vegetation,suggesting they are at potential risk if environmental conditions change.