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Bailey EC, Thacker E, Monaco TA, Veblen KE. Transplanted sagebrush "wildlings" exhibit higher survival than greenhouse-grown tubelings yet both recruit new plants. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:50. [PMID: 38649814 PMCID: PMC11034100 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Land uses such as crop production, livestock grazing, mining, and urban development have contributed to degradation of drylands worldwide. Loss of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) on disturbed drylands across the western U.S. has prompted massive efforts to re-establish this foundational species. There has been growing interest in avoiding the severe limitations experienced by plants at the seed and seedling stages by instead establishing plants from containerized greenhouse seedlings ("tubelings"). In some settings, a potential alternative approach is to transplant larger locally-collected plants ("wildlings"). We compared the establishment of mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana) from tubelings vs. wildlings in southeastern Idaho. A mix of native and non-native grass and forb species was drill-seeded in a pasture previously dominated by the introduced forage grass, smooth brome (Bromus inermis). We then established 80 m x 80 m treatment plots and planted sagebrush tubelings (n = 12 plots, 1200 plants) and wildlings (n = 12 plots, 1200 plants). We also established seeded plots (n = 12) and untreated control plots (n = 6) for long-term comparison. We tracked project expenses in order to calculate costs of using tubelings vs. wildlings as modified by probability of success. RESULTS There was high (79%) tubeling and low (10%) wildling mortality within the first year. Three years post-planting, chance of survival for wildlings was significantly higher than that of tubelings (85% and 14% respectively). Despite high up-front costs of planting wildlings, high survival rates resulted in their being < 50% of the cost of tubelings on a per-surviving plant basis. Additionally, by the third year post-planting 34% of surviving tubelings and 95% of surviving wildlings showed evidence of reproduction (presence / absence of flowering stems), and the two types of plantings recruited new plants via seed (3.7 and 2.4 plants, respectively, per surviving tubeling/wildling). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that larger plants with more developed root systems (wildlings) may be a promising avenue for increasing early establishment rates of sagebrush plants in restoration settings. Our results also illustrate the potential for tubelings and wildlings to improve restoration outcomes by "nucleating" the landscape via recruitment of new plants during ideal climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Bailey
- Dept. of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
- Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
- SWCA Environmental Consultants, 7210 Placid St, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, USA
| | - Eric Thacker
- Dept. of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Thomas A Monaco
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Kari E Veblen
- Dept. of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.
- Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.
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Jarrar H, El-Keblawy A, Ghenai C, Abhilash PC, Bundela AK, Abideen Z, Sheteiwy MS. Seed enhancement technologies for sustainable dryland restoration: Coating and scarification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166150. [PMID: 37595910 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
High temperatures, soil salinity, a lack of available water, loose soils with reduced water holding, and low soil fertility are obstacles to restoration efforts in degraded drylands and desert ecosystems. Improved soil physical and chemical properties, seed germination and seedling recruitment, and plant growth are all proposed as outcomes of seed enhancement technologies (SETs). Seed priming, seed coating, and seed scarification are three SETs' methods for promoting seed germination and subsequent plant development under unfavorable environmental conditions. Various subtypes can be further classified within these three broad groups. The goals of this review are to (1) develop a general classification of coating and scarification SETs, (2) facilitate the decision-making process to adopt suitable SETs for arid lands environments, and (3) highlight the benefits of coating and scarification SETs in overcoming biotic and abiotic challenges in ecological restoring degraded dryland. For rehabilitating degraded lands and restoring drylands, it is recommended to 1) optimize SETs that have been used effectively for a long time, particularly those associated with seed physiological enhancement and seed microenvironment, 2) integrate coating and scarification to overcome different biotic and abiotic constraints, and 3) apply SET(s) to a mixture of seeds from various species and sizes. However, more research should be conducted on developing SETs for large-scale use to provide the required seed tonnages for dryland restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Jarrar
- Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research Group, Research Institute for Sciences and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ali El-Keblawy
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Chaouki Ghenai
- Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - P C Abhilash
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Amit Kumar Bundela
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Zainul Abideen
- Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Mohamed S Sheteiwy
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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3
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Larson AJS, Cartwright MM, Jones WD, Luce K, Chen MY, Petersen K, Nelson SV, Michaelis DJ, Madsen MD. Slow Release of GA 3 Hormone from Polymer Coating Overcomes Seed Dormancy and Improves Germination. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:4139. [PMID: 38140466 PMCID: PMC10748187 DOI: 10.3390/plants12244139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Seed dormancy often hinders direct seeding efforts that are attempting to restore degraded landscapes. Gibberellic acid (GA3) can be applied to physiologically dormant seeds to induce germination, but this hormone is rarely effective, as it can degrade or be leached from the seed. We tested different polymer matrixes (polylactic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and ethylcellulose) to apply and slowly release GA3 to the seed. These polymers were tested as seed coatings in either a powder, liquid, or a combination of powder and liquid forms. We found that a liquid ethylcellulose/GA3 coating generally outperformed the other polymers and applications methods using our test species Penstemon palmeri. With this top-performing treatment, seed germination was 3.0- and 3.9-fold higher at 15 °C and 25 °C, respectively. We also evaluated the liquid ethylcellulose/GA3 coating on P. comharrenus, P. strictus, P. pachyphyllus, and P. eatonii. Again, the coating had a strong treatment response, with the degree of difference related to the relative level of dormancy of the species. Growth studies were also performed in pots to ensure that the side effects of GA3 overdosing were not present. Here, we found minimal differences in root length, shoot length, or biomass between plants grown from untreated and GA3-coated seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J. S. Larson
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.J.S.L.); (W.D.J.); (K.L.); (M.-Y.C.); (S.V.N.)
| | - Maureen M. Cartwright
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.J.S.L.); (W.D.J.); (K.L.); (M.-Y.C.); (S.V.N.)
| | - Whitney D. Jones
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.J.S.L.); (W.D.J.); (K.L.); (M.-Y.C.); (S.V.N.)
| | - Katrina Luce
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.J.S.L.); (W.D.J.); (K.L.); (M.-Y.C.); (S.V.N.)
| | - Mei-Yu Chen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.J.S.L.); (W.D.J.); (K.L.); (M.-Y.C.); (S.V.N.)
| | - Kate Petersen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (K.P.); (D.J.M.)
| | - Shannon V. Nelson
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.J.S.L.); (W.D.J.); (K.L.); (M.-Y.C.); (S.V.N.)
| | - David J. Michaelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (K.P.); (D.J.M.)
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (A.J.S.L.); (W.D.J.); (K.L.); (M.-Y.C.); (S.V.N.)
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4
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Farrell HL, Munson SM, Butterfield BJ, Duniway MC, Faist AM, Gornish ES, Havrilla CA, Larios L, Reed SC, Rowe HI, Laushman KM, McCormick ML. Soil surface treatments and precipitation timing determine seedling development across southwestern US restoration sites. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2834. [PMID: 36864737 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Restoration in dryland ecosystems often has poor success due to low and variable water availability, degraded soil conditions, and slow plant community recovery rates. Restoration treatments can mitigate these constraints but, because treatments and subsequent monitoring are typically limited in space and time, our understanding of their applicability across broader environmental gradients remains limited. To address this limitation, we implemented and monitored a standardized set of seeding and soil surface treatments (pits, mulch, and ConMod artificial nurse plants) designed to enhance soil moisture and seedling establishment across RestoreNet, a growing network of 21 diverse dryland restoration sites in the southwestern USA over 3 years. Generally, we found that the timing of precipitation relative to seeding and the use of soil surface treatments were more important in determining seeded species emergence, survival, and growth than site-specific characteristics. Using soil surface treatments in tandem with seeding promoted up to 3× greater seedling emergence densities compared with seeding alone. The positive effect of soil surface treatments became more prominent with increased cumulative precipitation since seeding. The seed mix type with species currently found within or near a site and adapted to the historical climate promoted greater seedling emergence densities compared with the seed mix type with species from warmer, drier conditions expected to perform well under climate change. Seed mix and soil surface treatments had a diminishing effect as plants developed beyond the first season of establishment. However, we found strong effects of the initial period seeded and of the precipitation leading up to each monitoring date on seedling survival over time, especially for annual and perennial forbs. The presence of exotic species exerted a negative influence on seedling survival and growth, but not initial emergence. Our findings suggest that seeded species recruitment across drylands can generally be promoted, regardless of location, by (1) incorporation of soil surface treatments, (2) employment of near-term seasonal climate forecasts, (3) suppression of exotic species, and (4) seeding at multiple times. Taken together, these results point to a multifaceted approach to ameliorate harsh environmental conditions for improved seeding success in drylands, both now and under expected aridification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Farrell
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Seth M Munson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Bradley J Butterfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
| | - Michael C Duniway
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Moab, Utah, USA
| | - Akasha M Faist
- College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Elise S Gornish
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Caroline A Havrilla
- Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Loralee Larios
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Sasha C Reed
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Moab, Utah, USA
| | - Helen I Rowe
- School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Molly L McCormick
- Southwest Fire Science Consortium and School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
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5
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Tarsa EE, Holdaway BM, Kettenring KM. Tipping the balance: The role of seed density, abiotic filters, and priority effects in seed-based wetland restoration. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2706. [PMID: 35808932 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sowing native seeds is a common approach to reintroduce native plants to degraded systems. However, this method is often overlooked in wetland restoration despite the immense global loss of diverse native wetland vegetation. Developing guiding principles for seed-based wetland restoration is critical to maximize native plant recovery, particularly in previously invaded wetlands. Doing so requires a comprehensive understanding of how restoration manipulations, and their interactions, influence wetland plant community assembly. With a focus on the invader Phragmites australis, we established a series of mesocosm experiments to assess how native sowing density, invader propagule pressure, abiotic filters (water and nutrients), and native sowing timing (i.e., priority effects) interact to influence plant community cover and biomass in wetland habitats. Increasing the density of native seeds yielded higher native cover and biomass, but P. australis suppression with increasing sowing densities was minimal. Rather, community outcomes were largely driven by invader propagule pressure: P. australis densities of ≤500 seeds/m2 maintained high native cover and biomass. Low-water conditions increased the susceptibility of P. australis to dominance by native competitors. Early sowing of native seeds showed a large and significant benefit to native cover and biomass, regardless of native sowing density, suggesting that priority effects can be an effective restoration manipulation to enhance native plant establishment. Given the urgent wetland restoration need combined with the limited studies on seed-based wetland restoration, these findings provide guidance on restoration manipulations that are grounded in ecological theory to improve seed-based wetland restoration outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Tarsa
- Ecology Center and Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Bailey M Holdaway
- Ecology Center and Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Karin M Kettenring
- Ecology Center and Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
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6
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Baughman OW, Kerby JD, Boyd CS, Madsen MD, Svejcar TJ. Can delaying germination reduce barriers to successful emergence for early‐germinating, fall‐sown native bunchgrass seeds in cold deserts? Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chad S. Boyd
- US Department of Agriculture ‐ Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826‐A Hwy 205 Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Tony J. Svejcar
- US Department of Agriculture ‐ Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826‐A Hwy 205 Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
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7
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Martyn TE, Kwapich CL, Kline A, Gornish ES. Granivorous ants prefer small and unprotected seeds ‐ Implications for restoration in arid ecosystems. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Trace E. Martyn
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Christina L. Kwapich
- Department of Biological Sciences The University of Massachusetts Lowell Lowell MA 01854 USA
| | - Albert Kline
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Elise S. Gornish
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA
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8
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Berto B, Brown VS. 10 years to restore the planet: a seedy situation. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Berto
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Vanessa S. Brown
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
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9
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Goebl AM, Doak DF, Kane NC. Empirical test of increasing genetic variation via inter‐population crossing for native plant restoration in variable environments. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- April M. Goebl
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado Boulder CO USA 80302
| | - Daniel F. Doak
- Environmental Studies Program University of Colorado Boulder CO USA 80303
| | - Nolan C. Kane
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado Boulder CO USA 80302
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10
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Bailey TG, Harrison PA, Hanusch Y, Ranyard C, Hooghkirk C, J. Davidson N, Pinkard EA, Potts BM. Investigating constraints on direct seeding for native revegetation in the Tasmanian Midlands. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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11
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Drivers of seedling establishment success in dryland restoration efforts. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:1283-1290. [PMID: 34294898 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Restoration of degraded drylands is urgently needed to mitigate climate change, reverse desertification and secure livelihoods for the two billion people who live in these areas. Bold global targets have been set for dryland restoration to restore millions of hectares of degraded land. These targets have been questioned as overly ambitious, but without a global evaluation of successes and failures it is impossible to gauge feasibility. Here we examine restoration seeding outcomes across 174 sites on six continents, encompassing 594,065 observations of 671 plant species. Our findings suggest reasons for optimism. Seeding had a positive impact on species presence: in almost a third of all treatments, 100% of species seeded were growing at first monitoring. However, dryland restoration is risky: 17% of projects failed, with no establishment of any seeded species, and consistent declines were found in seeded species as projects matured. Across projects, higher seeding rates and larger seed sizes resulted in a greater probability of recruitment, with further influences on species success including site aridity, taxonomic identity and species life form. Our findings suggest that investigations examining these predictive factors will yield more effective and informed restoration decision-making.
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Farrell HL, Fehmi JS, Gornish ES. The effects of site preparation equal those of seeding at a dryland restoration site: 6 years of plant community development. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L. Farrell
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona PO Box 210137, Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Fehmi
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona PO Box 210137, Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Elise S. Gornish
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona PO Box 210137, Tucson AZ 85721 USA
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13
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Lewandrowski W, Stevens JC, Webber BL, L. Dalziell E, Trudgen MS, Bateman AM, Erickson TE. Global change impacts on arid zone ecosystems: Seedling establishment processes are threatened by temperature and water stress. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:8071-8084. [PMID: 34188872 PMCID: PMC8216921 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recruitment for many arid-zone plant species is expected to be impacted by the projected increase in soil temperature and prolonged droughts associated with global climate change. As seed dormancy is considered a strategy to avoid unfavorable conditions, understanding the mechanisms underpinning vulnerability to these factors is critical for plant recruitment in intact communities, as well as for restoration efforts in arid ecosystems. This study determined the effects of temperature and water stress on recruitment processes in six grass species in the genus Triodia R.Br. from the Australian arid zone. Experiments in controlled environments were conducted on dormant and less-dormant seeds at constant temperatures of 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C, under well-watered (Ψsoil = -0.15 MPa) and water-limited (Ψsoil = -0.35 MPa) conditions. Success at three key recruitment stages-seed germination, emergence, and survival-and final seed viability of ungerminated seeds was assessed. For all species, less-dormant seeds germinated to higher proportions under all conditions; however, subsequent seedling emergence and survival were higher in the more dormant seed treatment. An increase in temperature (35-40°C) under water-limited conditions caused 95%-100% recruitment failure, regardless of the dormancy state. Ungerminated seeds maintained viability in dry soil; however, when exposed to warm (30-40°C) and well-watered conditions, loss of viability was greater from the less-dormant seeds across all species. This work demonstrates that the transition from seed to established seedling is highly vulnerable to microclimatic constraints and represents a critical filter for plant recruitment in the arid zone. As we demonstrate temperature and water stress-driven mortality between seeds and established seedlings, understanding how these factors influence recruitment in other arid-zone species should be a high priority consideration for management actions to mitigate the impacts of global change on ecosystem resilience. The knowledge gained from these outcomes must be actively incorporated into restoration initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Lewandrowski
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKings ParkWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jason C. Stevens
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKings ParkWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Bruce L. Webber
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- CSIRO Health and BiosecurityFloreatWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Western Australian Biodiversity Science InstitutePerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Emma L. Dalziell
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKings ParkWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Melinda S. Trudgen
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- CSIRO Health and BiosecurityFloreatWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Amber M. Bateman
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKings ParkWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Todd E. Erickson
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKings ParkWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
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14
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Garbowski M, Johnston DB, Baker DV, Brown CS. Invasive annual grass interacts with drought to influence plant communities and soil moisture in dryland restoration. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Magda Garbowski
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University 102 Johnson Hall Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
- Department of Agricultural Biology Colorado State University 307 University Ave Fort Collins Colorado80521USA
| | - Danielle B. Johnston
- Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife 711 Independent Ave Grand Junction Colorado81505USA
| | - Dirk V. Baker
- Campbell Scientific, Inc. 815 W. 1800 N. Logan Utah84321USA
| | - Cynthia S. Brown
- Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University 102 Johnson Hall Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
- Department of Agricultural Biology Colorado State University 307 University Ave Fort Collins Colorado80521USA
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15
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Copeland SM, Baughman OW, Boyd CS, Davies KW, Kerby J, Kildisheva OA, Svejcar T. Improving restoration success through a precision restoration framework. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stella M. Copeland
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | | | - Chad S. Boyd
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Kirk W. Davies
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Jay Kerby
- The Nature Conservancy 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
- Unaffiliated 4 South Street Pukerau 9772 New Zealand
| | - Olga A. Kildisheva
- The Nature Conservancy Suite 104, 999 Disk Drive Bend Oregon 97702 U.S.A
| | - Tony Svejcar
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
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Ait Elallem K, Sobeh M, Boularbah A, Yasri A. Chemically degraded soil rehabilitation process using medicinal and aromatic plants: review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:73-93. [PMID: 33051844 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10742-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, the increasing number of degraded lands worldwide makes their rehabilitation essential and crucial. Various techniques have emerged to fulfill these needs but most of them are expensive and difficult to be applied. Revegetation is a cost effective, environmental friendly, and aesthetically pleasing approach suitable for degraded areas. However, the use of edible crops, especially for areas with heavy metals (HM) contamination, is not ecologically suitable because the HM may enter the food chain. Alternatively, non-edible, fast-growing, deep-rooting, and metal-stabilizing plants with high biomass, which can produce high-value products hold a great potential and have been regarded as potential candidates of edible crops. This current review presents the benefits of using aromatic and medicinal plants (AMPs) and their associated microorganisms for revegetation of degraded sites as they are high-value economic crops. We discussed the effect of various stress on productivity of secondary metabolites in AMPs in addition to the potential health risk with human consumption of these plants and their products. A focus was also given to the effect of HM stress on the essential oil (EO) content of certain AMPs. Reported data showed that AMPs growing on HM-contaminated soils are safe products to use as they are not significantly contaminated themselves by HM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadija Ait Elallem
- AgroBioSciences Program, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150, Benguerir, Morocco
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Bioressources et sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments, Université Cadi Ayyad, Boulevard Abdelkrim Khattabi, BP 549, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Mansour Sobeh
- AgroBioSciences Program, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Ali Boularbah
- AgroBioSciences Program, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150, Benguerir, Morocco.
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Bioressources et sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments, Université Cadi Ayyad, Boulevard Abdelkrim Khattabi, BP 549, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco.
| | - Abdelaziz Yasri
- AgroBioSciences Program, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150, Benguerir, Morocco.
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17
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Havrilla CA, Munson SM, McCormick ML, Laushman KM, Balazs KR, Butterfield BJ. RestoreNet: An emerging restoration network reveals controls on seeding success across dryland ecosystems. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A. Havrilla
- U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center Flagstaff AZ USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - Seth M. Munson
- U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - Molly L. McCormick
- U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center Flagstaff AZ USA
| | | | - Kathleen R. Balazs
- Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - Bradley J. Butterfield
- Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
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18
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Bradford JB, Schlaepfer DR, Lauenroth WK, Palmquist KA. Robust ecological drought projections for drylands in the 21st century. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:3906-3919. [PMID: 32342577 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Dryland ecosystems may be especially vulnerable to expected 21st century increases in temperature and aridity because they are tightly controlled by moisture availability. However, climate impact assessments in drylands are difficult because ecological dynamics are dictated by drought conditions that are difficult to define and complex to estimate from climate conditions alone. In addition, precipitation projections vary substantially among climate models, enhancing variation in overall trajectories for aridity. Here, we constrain this uncertainty by utilizing an ecosystem water balance model to quantify drought conditions with recognized ecological importance, and by identifying changes in ecological drought conditions that are robust among climate models, defined here as when >90% of models agree in the direction of change. Despite limited evidence for robust changes in precipitation, changes in ecological drought are robust over large portions of drylands in the United States and Canada. Our results suggest strong regional differences in long-term drought trajectories, epitomized by chronic drought increases in southern areas, notably the Upper Gila Mountains and South-Central Semi-arid Prairies, and decreases in the north, particularly portions of the Temperate and West-Central Semi-arid Prairies. However, we also found that exposure to hot-dry stress is increasing faster than mean annual temperature over most of these drylands, and those increases are greatest in northern areas. Robust shifts in seasonal drought are most apparent during the cool season; when soil water availability is projected to increase in northern regions and decrease in southern regions. The implications of these robust drought trajectories for ecosystems will vary geographically, and these results provide useful insights about the impact of climate change on these dryland ecosystems. More broadly, this approach of identifying robust changes in ecological drought may be useful for other assessments of climate impacts in drylands and provide a more rigorous foundation for making long-term strategic resource management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Bradford
- Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel R Schlaepfer
- Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - William K Lauenroth
- School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kyle A Palmquist
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
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19
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Balazs KR, Kramer AT, Munson SM, Talkington N, Still S, Butterfield BJ. The right trait in the right place at the right time: Matching traits to environment improves restoration outcomes. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02110. [PMID: 32115812 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The challenges of restoration in dryland ecosystems are growing due to a rise in anthropogenic disturbance and increasing aridity. Plant functional traits are often used to predict plant performance and can offer a window into potential outcomes of restoration efforts across environmental gradients. We analyzed a database including 15 yr of seeding outcomes across 150 sites on the Colorado Plateau, a cold desert ecoregion in the western United States, and analyzed the independent and interactive effects of functional traits (seed mass, height, and specific leaf area) and local biologically relevant climate variables on seeding success. We predicted that the best models would include an interaction between plant traits and climate, indicating a need to match the right trait value to the right climate conditions to maximize seeding success. Indeed, we found that both plant height and seed size significantly interacted with temperature seasonality, with larger seeds and taller plants performing better in more seasonal environments. We also determined that these trait-environment patterns are not influenced by whether a species is native or nonnative. Our results inform the selection of seed mixes for restoring areas with specific climatic conditions, while also demonstrating the strong influence of temperature seasonality on seeding success in the Colorado Plateau region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Balazs
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (ECOSS), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001, USA
| | - Andrea T Kramer
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International US, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022, USA
| | - Seth M Munson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001, USA
| | - Nora Talkington
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International US, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022, USA
| | - Shannon Still
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International US, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022, USA
- U.C. Davis Arboretum & Public Garden, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - Bradley J Butterfield
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (ECOSS), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001, USA
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Massatti R, Shriver RK, Winkler DE, Richardson BA, Bradford JB. Assessment of population genetics and climatic variability can refine climate‐informed seed transfer guidelines. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rob Massatti
- U.S. Geological SurveySouthwest Biological Science Center Flagstaff Arizona 86001 U.S.A
| | - Robert K. Shriver
- U.S. Geological SurveySouthwest Biological Science Center Flagstaff Arizona 86001 U.S.A
| | - Daniel E. Winkler
- U.S. Geological SurveySouthwest Biological Science Center Moab Utah 84532 U.S.A
| | | | - John B. Bradford
- U.S. Geological SurveySouthwest Biological Science Center Flagstaff Arizona 86001 U.S.A
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21
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James JJ, Sheley RL, Leger EA, Adler PB, Hardegree SP, Gornish ES, Rinella MJ. Increased soil temperature and decreased precipitation during early life stages constrain grass seedling recruitment in cold desert restoration. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J. James
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Browns Valley CA USA
| | | | | | - Peter B. Adler
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center Utah State University Logan UT USA
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22
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Bradford JB, Schlaepfer DR, Lauenroth WK, Palmquist KA, Chambers JC, Maestas JD, Campbell SB. Climate-Driven Shifts in Soil Temperature and Moisture Regimes Suggest Opportunities to Enhance Assessments of Dryland Resilience and Resistance. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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23
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Masarei M, Guzzomi AL, Merritt DJ, Erickson TE. Factoring restoration practitioner perceptions into future design of mechanical direct seeders for native seeds. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Monte Masarei
- School of EngineeringThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Andrew L. Guzzomi
- School of EngineeringThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - David J. Merritt
- Kings Park Science, Department of BiodiversityConservation and Attractions Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Todd E. Erickson
- Kings Park Science, Department of BiodiversityConservation and Attractions Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
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24
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Pérez DR, González F, Ceballos C, Oneto ME, Aronson J. Direct seeding and outplantings in drylands of Argentinean Patagonia: estimated costs, and prospects for large‐scale restoration and rehabilitation. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Pérez
- Laboratory of Rehabilitation and Ecological Restoration of Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems (LARREA)National University of Comahue 8300 Neuquén Argentina
| | - Florencia González
- Laboratory of Rehabilitation and Ecological Restoration of Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems (LARREA)National University of Comahue 8300 Neuquén Argentina
| | - Cristian Ceballos
- Laboratory of Rehabilitation and Ecological Restoration of Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems (LARREA)National University of Comahue 8300 Neuquén Argentina
| | - María E. Oneto
- YPF Tecnología (YTEC), Av. del Petroleo Argentino 900‐1198 Berisso Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - James Aronson
- Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. St Louis MO 63110 U.S.A
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25
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Kildisheva OA, Erickson TE, Madsen MD, Dixon KW, Merritt DJ. Seed germination and dormancy traits of forbs and shrubs important for restoration of North American dryland ecosystems. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2019; 21:458-469. [PMID: 30098068 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In degraded dryland systems, native plant community re-establishment following disturbance is almost exclusively carried out using seeds, but these efforts commonly fail. Much of this failure can be attributed to the limited understanding of seed dormancy and germination traits. We undertook a systematic classification of seed dormancy of 26 species of annual and perennial forbs and shrubs that represent key, dominant genera used in restoration of the Great Basin ecosystem in the western United States. We examined germination across a wide thermal profile to depict species-specific characteristics and assessed the potential of gibberellic acid (GA3 ) and karrikinolide (KAR1 ) to expand the thermal germination envelope of fresh seeds. Of the tested species, 81% produce seeds that are dormant at maturity. The largest proportion (62%) exhibited physiological (PD), followed by physical (PY, 8%), combinational (PY + PD, 8%) and morphophysiological (MPD, 4%) dormancy classes. The effects of chemical stimulants were temperature- and species-mediated. In general, mean germination across the thermal profile was improved by GA3 and KAR1 for 11 and five species, respectively. We detected a strong germination response to temperature in freshly collected seeds of 20 species. Temperatures below 10 °C limited the germination of all except Agoseris heterophylla, suggesting that in their dormant state, the majority of these species are thermally restricted. Our findings demonstrate the utility of dormancy classification as a foundation for understanding the critical regenerative traits in these ecologically important species and highlight its importance in restoration planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- O A Kildisheva
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL, USA
| | - T E Erickson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA, Australia
| | - M D Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - K W Dixon
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - D J Merritt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA, Australia
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26
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Hoose BW, Call RS, Bates TH, Anderson RM, Roundy BA, Madsen MD. Seed conglomeration: a disruptive innovation to address restoration challenges associated with small‐seeded species. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W. Hoose
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Ryan S. Call
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Thomas H. Bates
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Rhett M. Anderson
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
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27
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Kneller T, Harris RJ, Bateman A, Muñoz-Rojas M. Native-plant amendments and topsoil addition enhance soil function in post-mining arid grasslands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:744-752. [PMID: 29197793 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
One of the most critical challenges faced in restoration of disturbed arid lands is the limited availability of topsoil. In post-mining restoration, alternative soil substrates such as mine waste could be an adequate growth media to alleviate the topsoil deficit, but these materials often lack appropriate soil characteristics to support the development and survival of seedlings. Thus, addition of exogenous organic matter may be essential to enhance plant survival and soil function. Here, we present a case study in the arid Pilbara region (north-west Western Australia), a resource-rich area subject to intensive mining activities. The main objective of our study was to assess the effects of different restoration techniques such as soil reconstruction by blending available soil materials, sowing different compositions of plant species, and addition of a locally abundant native soil organic amendment (Triodia pungens biomass) on: (i) seedling recruitment and growth of Triodia wiseana, a dominant grass in Australian arid ecosystems, and (ii) soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of reconstructed soils, including microbial activity, total organic C, total N, and C and N mineralisation. The study was conducted in a 12-month multifactorial microcosms setting in a controlled environment. Our results showed that the amendment increased C and N contents of re-made soils, but these values were still lower than those obtained in the topsoil. High microbial activity and C mineralisation rates were found in the amended waste that contrasted the low N mineralisation but this did not translate into improved emergence or survival of T. wiseana. These results suggest a short- or medium-term soil N immobilisation caused by negative priming effect of fresh un-composted amendment on microbial communities. We found similar growth and survival rates of T. wiseana in topsoil and a blend of topsoil and waste (50:50) which highlights the importance of topsoil, even in a reduced amount, for plant establishment in arid land restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayla Kneller
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Kings Park 6005, WA, Australia; Curtin University, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Bentley 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Richard J Harris
- Curtin University, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Bentley 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Amber Bateman
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Kings Park 6005, WA, Australia; University of Western Australia, School of Biological Sciences, Crawley 6009, WA, Australia
| | - Miriam Muñoz-Rojas
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Kings Park 6005, WA, Australia; University of Western Australia, School of Biological Sciences, Crawley 6009, WA, Australia; University of New South Wales, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Randwick 2052, NSW, Australia.
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