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Frietsch M, Pacheco-Romero M, Temperton VM, Kaplin BA, Fischer J. The social-ecological ladder of restoration ambition. AMBIO 2024; 53:1251-1261. [PMID: 38652237 PMCID: PMC11300751 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Expanding in both scope and scale, ecosystem restoration needs to embrace complex social-ecological dynamics. To help scientists and practitioners navigate ever new demands on restoration, we propose the "social-ecological ladder of restoration ambition" as a conceptual model to approach dynamically shifting social and ecological restoration goals. The model focuses on three dynamic aspects of restoration, namely degrading processes, restoration goals and remedial actions. As these three change through time, new reinforcing and balancing feedback mechanisms characterize the restoration process. We illustrate our model through case studies in which restoration has become increasingly ambitious through time, namely forest landscape restoration in Rwanda and grassland restoration in Germany. The ladder of restoration ambition offers a new way of applying social-ecological systems thinking to ecosystem restoration. Additionally, it raises awareness of social-ecological trade-offs, power imbalances and conflicting goals in restoration projects, thereby laying an important foundation for finding more practicable and fairer solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Frietsch
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany.
- Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
| | - Manuel Pacheco-Romero
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
- Department of Biology and Geology, Andalusian Center for the Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Vicky M Temperton
- Institute of Ecology, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University Lüneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Beth A Kaplin
- Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joern Fischer
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
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2
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Wiederhecker A, Cardoso Ferreira M, Barbosa Rodrigues S, Bonesso Sampaio A, Belloni Schmidt I, Ribeiro JF, Ogata RS, Rodrigues MI, Silva-Coelho AC, Sousa Abreu I, Montenegro TF, Mascia Vieira DL. Ten years of directing seeding restoration in the Brazilian savanna: Lessons learned and the way forward. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 365:121576. [PMID: 38955045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121576] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Savannas and grasslands have lost almost 50% of their original cover worldwide. Therefore, the development of methods and information on open-canopy ecosystem restoration is urgent for the inclusion of these ecosystems into global and regional priorities. In the Brazilian savanna, the most diverse savanna in the world, restoration efforts focused on open ecosystems have been virtually absent, but have increased in the last 10 years. Such efforts are frequently threatened by invasive exotic grasses (IEG) that invade and dominate areas excluding native species, oftentimes aided by altered soil conditions. Long-term studies of savanna restoration trajectories are rare. In this study, we surveyed 22 savanna restoration areas established two to ten years before the study with similar restoration methods to assess their current status. We show that the current restoration methods are successful in establishing native species and allowing species turnover but they are threatened by IEG. Restoration success varies and is affected by soil conditions, IEG landscape cover and post-sowing weeding. Despite that, the simultaneous introduction of different plant functional groups allows turnover from fast to slow-growing plants. Establishing savanna native species is possible at an operational scale with current knowledge and techniques. However, native species establishment fails to prevent IEG reinfestation, which needs to be managed in restoration efforts in the Brazilian savanna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Wiederhecker
- Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, 70297-400, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Alexandre Bonesso Sampaio
- Centro Nacional de Avaliação da Biodiversidade e de Pesquisa e Conservação Do Cerrado, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade - ICMBio, 70635- 800, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Roberto Shojirou Ogata
- Agência de Cooperação Alemã (GIZ) at Embrapa Cerrados, 73301-970, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
| | - Maísa Isabela Rodrigues
- Departamento de Gestão do Agronegócio, Universidade de Brasília, 70297-400, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | | | - Icaro Sousa Abreu
- Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, 70297-400, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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3
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Davies T, Cando‐Dumancela C, Liddicoat C, Dresken R, Damen RH, Edwards RA, Ramesh SA, Breed MF. Ecological phage therapy: Can bacteriophages help rapidly restore the soil microbiome? Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70185. [PMID: 39145040 PMCID: PMC11322231 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Soil microbiota underpin ecosystem functionality yet are rarely targeted during ecosystem restoration. Soil microbiota recovery following native plant revegetation can take years to decades, while the effectiveness of soil inoculation treatments on microbiomes remains poorly explored. Therefore, innovative restoration treatments that target soil microbiota represent an opportunity to accelerate restoration outcomes. Here, we introduce the concept of ecological phage therapy-the application of phage for the targeted reduction of the most abundant and dominant bacterial taxa present in degraded ecosystems. We propose that naturally occurring bacteriophages-viruses that infect bacteria-could help rapidly shift soil microbiota towards target communities. Bacteriophages sculpt the microbiome by lysis of specific bacteria, and if followed by the addition of reference soil microbiota, such treatments could facilitate rapid reshaping of soil microbiota. Here, we experimentally tested this concept in a pilot study. We collected five replicate pre-treatment degraded soil samples, then three replicate soil samples 48 hours after phage, bacteria, and control treatments. Bacterial 16S rDNA sequencing showed that phage-treated soils had reduced bacterial diversity; however, when we combined ecological phage therapy with reference soil inoculation, we did not see a shift in soil bacterial community composition from degraded soil towards a reference-like community. Our pilot study provides early evidence that ecological phage therapy could help accelerate the reshaping of soil microbiota with the ultimate aim of reducing timeframes for ecosystem recovery. We recommend the next steps for ecological phage therapy be (a) developing appropriate risk assessment and management frameworks, and (b) focussing research effort on its practical application to maximise its accessibility to restoration practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarryn Davies
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - Craig Liddicoat
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Romy Dresken
- School of Biological Sciences and the Environment InstituteUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Rudolf H. Damen
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
- HAN University of Applied SciencesNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Robert A. Edwards
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Sunita A. Ramesh
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Martin F. Breed
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
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4
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Wang C, Huang S, Wu C, Wang G, Wang L, Zhang Y, Wan J. Linear relationships between aboveground biomass and plant species diversity during the initial stage of degraded grassland restoration projects. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70128. [PMID: 39135726 PMCID: PMC11318339 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The relationship between aboveground biomass and plant diversity has been extensively examined to understand the role of biodiversity in ecosystem functions and services. Degraded grassland restoration projects can enhance carbon sequestration. However, the relationship between biomass and diversity remains one of the most actively debated topics regarding grassland ecosystems in degraded grassland restoration projects. We speculated that establishing the linear relationships between aboveground biomass and plant species diversity could contribute to enhancing the efficacy of degraded grassland restoration projects. This study sought to determine whether these relationships were linear during the initial stages of the restoration projects of degraded grasslands in Xing'an League, China. The investigations were based on an examination of seventy-six 1 × 1 m2 plots distributed among 15 areas in which the degraded grassland was at the initial stages of restoration. To quantify the species diversity of the degraded grassland communities, we used the species richness, Shannon-Wiener, inverse Simpson's reciprocal, and Pielou's evenness indices. Our analyses revealed that aboveground biomass had clear positive linear relationships with species richness during the initial stages of degraded grassland restoration. However, there were less pronounced associations with species diversity as assessed using the Shannon and inverse Simpson indices, based on regression models. Furthermore, weed biomass was found to have significant negative effects on species richness and Pielou's evenness. The weak linear relationship between aboveground biomass and species richness could be ascribed to an increase in weed biomass. We concluded that aboveground biomass and plant species diversity could be enhanced during the initial stages of degraded grassland restoration projects and suggest that the extent of weed biomass could serve as a key indicator of the efficacy of restoration from the perspective of plant species diversity and aboveground biomass in carbon sequestration projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun‐Jing Wang
- Sichuan Academy of ForestryChengduChina
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and AgricultureQinghai UniversityXiningChina
| | | | | | - Gai‐Ni Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and AgricultureQinghai UniversityXiningChina
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Wildlife and Protected AreaNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Yong‐Kun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and AgricultureQinghai UniversityXiningChina
| | - Ji‐Zhong Wan
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and EnvironmentChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
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Luxton SJ, Smith GS, Williams KJ, Ferrier S, Bond AJ, Prober SM. An introduction to key ecological concepts, financial opportunities, and risks underpinning aspirations for nature positive. Bioscience 2024; 74:450-466. [PMID: 39156612 PMCID: PMC11328145 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Global biodiversity is in decline, and businesses and society are being required to urgently create new operating models to ameliorate the crisis. Among the strategies proposed to do this, implementing the concept of nature positive has captured worldwide attention. Critical to its success will be effective collaboration between ecologists and businesspeople, driven by a shared understanding of key nature positive terminology, concepts, and risks. To this end, we introduce three core aspects: the ecological concepts in the definition of nature positive (health, abundance, diversity, and resilience), a typology of financial instruments that may be applied to achieving nature positive, and an overview of risks to biodiversity and society. The pivotal findings include that ecological complexity and uncertainty belie the simplicity of the definition of nature positive and that managing risk requires embedding aspirations into existing and emerging biodiversity conservation and restoration science and policy. Although it is challenging, nature positive deserves pursuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Luxton
- Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, ACT and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Greg S Smith
- Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, ACT and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kristen J Williams
- Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, ACT and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Simon Ferrier
- Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, ACT and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Anthelia J Bond
- School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Suzanne M Prober
- Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, ACT and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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6
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Chen W, Gu T, Xiang J, Luo T, Zeng J, Yuan Y. Ecological restoration zoning of territorial space in China: An ecosystem health perspective. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 364:121371. [PMID: 38879965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121371] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and high-intensity socio-economic activities in China have caused severe ecological problems. Implementing ecological restoration in China has become an inevitable way to restore the ecosystem. Ecosystem health is crucial for evaluating ecological conditions and trends, but comprehensive national studies that use quantitative ecosystem health assessments to guide specific ecological restoration are lacking. This study constructs the Vigor-Organization-Resilience-Services (VORS) model to evaluate the ecosystem health level of China during 2000-2020. Then, through the natural breakpoint and intelligent clustering correction, we carried out the ecological restoration zoning and proposed corresponding measures. The results show that China's overall ecosystem health declined from 2000 to 2020, and ecological restoration is imminent. The spatial pattern of ecosystem health is generally favorable in the south and usually poor in the north. China protects poor ecosystems' health well but needs more for better ones. To combat this degradation, we propose a zoning strategy that classifies the landscape into five categories: Ecosystem Conservation Areas (3.47%), focusing on biodiversity preservation; Ecosystem Enhancement Areas (10.53%), aiming at increasing ecological resilience; Ecosystem Buffer Zones (23.04%), intending to mitigate human impacts; Ecosystem Correction Zones (33.79%), targeting at restoring degraded ecosystems; and Ecosystem Reshaping Zones (29.17%), designing to revitalize ecological functions. The ecological restoration zoning in China proposed in this study, combined with appropriate and practical restoration tools, will help mitigate ecological problems and improve stability and ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanxu Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory of National Geographical Census and Monitoring, Ministry of Natural Resources, Wuhan, 430072, China; Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Tianci Gu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Jingwei Xiang
- School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Ting Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Jie Zeng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Yanghaoyue Yuan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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7
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Peng J, Xu D, Xu Z, Tang H, Jiang H, Dong J, Liu Y. Ten key issues for ecological restoration of territorial space. Natl Sci Rev 2024; 11:nwae176. [PMID: 38883299 PMCID: PMC11173174 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study innovatively puts forward the three-stage restoration goals and cutting-edge key scientific issues of ecological restoration, as well as their relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Peng
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China
| | - Dongmei Xu
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China
| | - Zihan Xu
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, China
| | - Hui Tang
- Key Laboratory for Environmental and Urban Sciences, School of Urban Planning and Design, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China
| | - Jianquan Dong
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, China
| | - Yanxu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, China
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8
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Wu N, Wang Y, Wang J, Zhang Y, Hu B, Guo J, Zheng Z, Zhou Y. Recovery of small rodents from open-pit marble mining: effects on communities, populations, and individuals. Integr Zool 2024; 19:728-742. [PMID: 38348491 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12811] [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] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Mining can significantly alter landscapes, impacting wildlife and ecosystem functionality. Natural recovery in open-pit mines is vital for habitat restoration and ecosystem re-establishment, although few empirical studies have examined this process. Here, we assessed temporal and spatial responses of small rodents at the community, population, and individual levels during natural mine recovery. We examined the abundance, reproductive potential, and individual health of small rodents at active mines and at former mine sites left to recover naturally for approx. 10 and 20 years. We also assessed the effects of disturbance on rodent recovery processes at three distances from the mine boundary. Rodent numbers peaked after 10-13 years of recovery and exhibited the strongest male bias in the sex ratio. The Chinese white-bellied rat (Niviventer confucianus) was the most abundant species, achieving its highest population abundance at sites abandoned for 10-13 years and thriving at locations closer to the mine boundary. Only Chevrier's field mouse exhibited morphological responses to the mine recovery category. Ectoparasite load was unaffected by mine or distance-disturbance categories. Both Chevrier's field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri) and the South China field mouse (Apodemus draco) were affected significantly by vegetation layer cover during recovery succession. Our study highlights the complexities of ecological succession, with a peak in abundance as pioneer communities transition toward a climax seral stage. Careful prior planning and active site management are necessary to optimize abandoned mine recovery. Efforts to accelerate mine recovery through technical restoration should promote conditions that initiate and perpetuate the establishment and succession of wildlife assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yaqian Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Baoshuang Hu
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Jinyu Guo
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Zhenfei Zheng
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Youbing Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
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Ramos L, Negreiros D, Goulart FF, Figueiredo JCG, Kenedy-Siqueira W, Toma TSP, Justino WDS, Maia RA, de Oliveira JT, Oki Y, Barbosa M, Aguilar R, Dos Santos RM, Dias HM, Nunes YRF, Fernandes GW. Dissimilar forests along the Rio Doce watershed call for multiple restoration references to avoid biotic homogenization. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172720. [PMID: 38688373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172720] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
An environmental disaster caused by the rupture of a mining tailings dam has impacted a large area of the Rio Doce watershed in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, resulting in unprecedented damage at spatial and temporal scales. The Atlantic Forest is one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots. A long history of land use conversion has resulted in a highly fragmented landscape. Despite numerous restoration initiatives, these efforts have often biased criteria and use limited species assemblages. We conducted a comprehensive synthesis of the plant community in riparian forests along the Rio Doce watershed. Our work detailed vegetation composition (tree and sapling strata) and examined its relationship with edaphic and landscape factors, aiming to inform restoration projects with scientifically robust knowledge. A total of 4906 individuals from the tree strata and 4565 individuals from the sapling strata were recorded, representing a total of 1192 species from 75 families. Only 0.8% of the tree species and 0.5% of the sapling species occurred in all sampled sectors, with over 84% of the species occurring in a single watershed sector for both strata. We observed a high species heterogeneity modulated by turnover (92.3% in the tree, and 92.7% in the sapling strata) among sites. Overall, our research revealed a gradient of soil fertility influencing species composition across different strata. Additionally, we discovered that preserved landscapes had a positive impact on species diversity within both strata. The species exclusivity in the sampled sites and the high turnover rate imply the need to consider multiple reference ecosystems when restoring the watershed to reduce the risk of biotic homogenization. Finally, the reference ecosystems defined here serve as a basis for the selection of locally particular species in the implementation of restoration projects that aim to improve biodiversity, ecosystem services, and water security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Ramos
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniel Negreiros
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Knowledge Center for Biodiversity, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernando Figueiredo Goulart
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Gomes Figueiredo
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia - PPGB, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, 39401-089, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Walisson Kenedy-Siqueira
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tiago Shizen Pacheco Toma
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Knowledge Center for Biodiversity, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wénita de Souza Justino
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renata A Maia
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, OX1 3QY, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jéssica Tetzner de Oliveira
- Forestry and Wood Sciences Department, Federal University of Espírito Santo - UFES, 29550-000, Jerônimo Monteiro, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Yumi Oki
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Milton Barbosa
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, OX1 3QY, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ramiro Aguilar
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba - CONICET, CC 495, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rubens Manoel Dos Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, CP 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Henrique Machado Dias
- Forestry and Wood Sciences Department, Federal University of Espírito Santo - UFES, 29550-000, Jerônimo Monteiro, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Yule Roberta Ferreira Nunes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica Aplicada, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, 39401-089, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - G Wilson Fernandes
- Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Knowledge Center for Biodiversity, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Ray K, Basak SK, Giri CK, Kotal HN, Mandal A, Chatterjee K, Saha S, Biswas B, Mondal S, Das I, Ghosh A, Bhadury P, Joshi R. Ecological restoration at pilot-scale employing site-specific rationales for small-patch degraded mangroves in Indian Sundarbans. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12952. [PMID: 38839775 PMCID: PMC11153218 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63281-8] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
To date, degraded mangrove ecosystem restoration accomplished worldwide primarily aligns towards rehabilitation with monotypic plantations, while ecological restoration principles are rarely followed in these interventions. However, researchers admit that most of these initiatives' success rate is not appreciable often. An integrative framework of ecological restoration for degraded mangroves where site-specific observations could be scientifically rationalized, with co-located reference pristine mangroves as the target ecosystem to achieve is currently distinctively lacking. Through this experimental scale study, we studied the suitability of site-specific strategies to ecologically restore degraded mangrove patches vis-à-vis the conventional mono-species plantations in a highly vulnerable mangrove ecosystem in Indian Sundarbans. This comprehensive restoration framework was trialed in small discrete degraded mangrove patches spanning ~ 65 ha. Site-specific key restoration components applied are statistically validated through RDA analyses and Bayesian t-tests. 25 quantifiable metrics evaluate the restoration success of a ~ 3 ha degraded mangrove patch with Ridgeline distribution, Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) tests, and Mahalanobis Distance (D2) measure to prove the site's near-equivalence to pristine reference in multiple ecosystem attributes. This restoration intervention irrevocably establishes the greater potential of this framework in the recovery of ecosystem functions and self-sustenance compared to that of predominant monoculture practices for vulnerable mangroves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Ray
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India.
| | - Sandip Kumar Basak
- Sarat Centenary College, Dhaniakhali, Hooghly, West Bengal, 712302, India.
| | - Chayan Kumar Giri
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Hemendra Nath Kotal
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Anup Mandal
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Kiranmoy Chatterjee
- Department of Statistics, Bidhannagar College, Salt Lake City, Sector 1, Block EB, Kolkata, 700064, India
| | - Subhajit Saha
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Biswajit Biswas
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Sumana Mondal
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Ipsita Das
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Botany, West Bengal State University, Berunanpukuria, Malikapur, Barasat, Kolkata, 700126, India
| | - Anwesha Ghosh
- Centre for Climate and Environmental Studies, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Punyasloke Bhadury
- Integrative Taxonomy and Microbial Ecology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Rahul Joshi
- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Prani Vigyan Bhawan, Block M, New Alipore, Kolkata, 700053, India
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11
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Conceição TA, Santos AS, Fernandes AKC, Meireles GN, de Oliveira FA, Barbosa RM, Gaiotto FA. Guiding seed movement: environmental heterogeneity drives genetic differentiation in Plathymenia reticulata, providing insights for restoration. AOB PLANTS 2024; 16:plae032. [PMID: 38883565 PMCID: PMC11176975 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Forest and landscape restoration is one of the main strategies for overcoming the environmental crisis. This activity is particularly relevant for biodiversity-rich areas threatened by deforestation, such as tropical forests. Efficient long-term restoration requires understanding the composition and genetic structure of native populations, as well as the factors that influence these genetic components. This is because these populations serve as the seed sources and, therefore, the gene reservoirs for areas under restoration. In the present study, we investigated the influence of environmental, climatic and spatial distance factors on the genetic patterns of Plathymenia reticulata, aiming to support seed translocation strategies for restoration areas. We collected plant samples from nine populations of P. reticulata in the state of Bahia, Brazil, located in areas of Atlantic Forest and Savanna, across four climatic types, and genotyped them using nine nuclear and three chloroplast microsatellite markers. The populations of P. reticulata evaluated generally showed low to moderate genotypic variability and low haplotypic diversity. The populations within the Savanna phytophysiognomy showed values above average for six of the eight evaluated genetic diversity parameters. Using this classification based on phytophysiognomy demonstrated a high predictive power for genetic differentiation in P. reticulata. Furthermore, the interplay of climate, soil and geographic distance influenced the spread of alleles across the landscape. Based on our findings, we propose seed translocation, taking into account the biome, with restricted use of seed sources acquired or collected from the same environment as the areas to be restored (Savanna or Atlantic Forest).
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Affiliation(s)
- Taise Almeida Conceição
- Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, Piracicaba, São Paulo 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Alesandro Souza Santos
- Laboratório de Marcadores Moleculares, Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Ane Karoline Campos Fernandes
- Laboratório de Marcadores Moleculares, Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Nascimento Meireles
- Laboratório de Marcadores Moleculares, Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Ancelmo de Oliveira
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética (CBMEG), Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-875, Brazil
| | - Rafael Marani Barbosa
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Amato Gaiotto
- Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, Piracicaba, São Paulo 13418-900, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
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12
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Mutillod C, Buisson É, Mahy G, Jaunatre R, Bullock JM, Tatin L, Dutoit T. Ecological restoration and rewilding: two approaches with complementary goals? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:820-836. [PMID: 38346335 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
As we enter the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and address the urgent need to protect and restore ecosystems and their ecological functions at large scales, rewilding has been brought into the limelight. Interest in this discipline is thus increasing, with a large number of conceptual scientific papers published in recent years. Increasing enthusiasm has led to discussions and debates in the scientific community about the differences between ecological restoration and rewilding. The main goal of this review is to compare and clarify the position of each field. Our results show that despite some differences (e.g. top-down versus bottom-up and functional versus taxonomic approaches) and notably with distinct goals - recovery of a defined historically determined target ecosystem versus recovery of natural processes with often no target endpoint - ecological restoration and rewilding have a common scope: the recovery of ecosystems following anthropogenic degradation. The goals of ecological restoration and rewilding have expanded with the progress of each field. However, it is unclear whether there is a paradigm shift with ecological restoration moving towards rewilding or vice versa. We underline the complementarity in time and in space of ecological restoration and rewilding. To conclude, we argue that reconciliation of these two fields of nature conservation to ensure complementarity could create a synergy to achieve their common scope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Mutillod
- Avignon Université, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie IMBE, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, site Agroparc BP 61207, Avignon Cedex 09, 84911, France
| | - Élise Buisson
- Avignon Université, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie IMBE, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, site Agroparc BP 61207, Avignon Cedex 09, 84911, France
| | - Gregory Mahy
- Avignon Université, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie IMBE, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, site Agroparc BP 61207, Avignon Cedex 09, 84911, France
- Université de Liège, Biodiversité et Paysage, 27 Avenue Maréchal Juin, Gembloux, 5030, Belgique
| | - Renaud Jaunatre
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INRAE, UR LESSEM, St-Martin-d'Hères, F-38402, France
| | - James M Bullock
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, OX10 8BB, Wallingford, UK
| | - Laurent Tatin
- Avignon Université, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie IMBE, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, site Agroparc BP 61207, Avignon Cedex 09, 84911, France
| | - Thierry Dutoit
- Avignon Université, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie IMBE, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, site Agroparc BP 61207, Avignon Cedex 09, 84911, France
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13
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McGeoch MA, Clarke DA, Mungi NA, Ordonez A. A nature-positive future with biological invasions: theory, decision support and research needs. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230014. [PMID: 38583473 PMCID: PMC10999266 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0014] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2050, most areas of biodiversity significance will be heavily influenced by multiple drivers of environmental change. This includes overlap with the introduced ranges of many alien species that negatively impact biodiversity. With the decline in biodiversity and increase in all forms of global change, the need to envision the desired qualities of natural systems in the Anthropocene is growing, as is the need to actively maintain their natural values. Here, we draw on community ecology and invasion biology to (i) better understand trajectories of change in communities with a mix of native and alien populations, and (ii) to frame approaches to the stewardship of these mixed-species communities. We provide a set of premises and actions upon which a nature-positive future with biological invasions (NPF-BI) could be based, and a decision framework for dealing with uncertain species movements under climate change. A series of alternative management approaches become apparent when framed by scale-sensitive, spatially explicit, context relevant and risk-consequence considerations. Evidence of the properties of mixed-species communities together with predictive frameworks for the relative importance of the ecological processes at play provide actionable pathways to a NPF in which the reality of mixed-species communities are accommodated and managed. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melodie A. McGeoch
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - David A. Clarke
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ninad Avinash Mungi
- Section of Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Alejandro Ordonez
- Section of Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
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14
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Carneiro I, Carrasco AR, Didderen K, Sousa AI. Evaluating the success of vegetation restoration in rewilded salt marshes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171699. [PMID: 38508250 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171699] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Floodbank realignment is a common practice aimed at restoring salt marsh vegetation on previously embanked land. However, experiences indicate that it may take several years before salt marsh vegetation becomes fully established. Various challenges arising from ecogeomorphic feedback mechanisms could pose significant setbacks to vegetation recolonization. The widespread adoption of transplantation techniques for the restoration and rehabilitation of rewilded landscapes has indeed proven to be a valuable tool for accelerating plant development. In the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon (South of Portugal), a pilot plan was implemented, and two salt marsh pioneer species, Spartina maritima (syn. Sporobolus maritimus) and Sarcocornia perennis (syn. Salicornia perennis), were transplanted from a natural salt marsh to a rewilded marsh. Biodegradable 3D porous structures were installed to mimic transplant clumping, aid sedimentation, and enhance the plant's initial adjustment. Ecological, sediment, and hydrodynamic data were collected during the 12-month pilot restoration plan. The environmental profiles of the donor and restoration sites were compared to substantiate the success of the transplants in the rewilded salt marsh. Results show that although plant shoot density decreased after the transplanting, Spartina maritima acclimated well to the new environmental conditions of the restoration site, showing signs of growth and cover increase, whilst Sarcocornia perennis was not able to acclimatize and survive in the restoration site. The failure behind the Sarcocornia perennis acclimation might be related to the bed properties and topographic properties of the restoration site in the rewilded marsh. Major findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how salt marsh pioneering vegetation successfully colonizes disturbed habitats, facilitated using 3D-biodegradable structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Carneiro
- Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), Aquatic Research Network (ARNET), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
| | - A Rita Carrasco
- Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA), Aquatic Research Network (ARNET), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
| | - Karin Didderen
- Waardenburg Ecology, BESE, Varkensmarkt, 9, 4101 CK, Culemborg, the Netherlands.
| | - Ana I Sousa
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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15
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Parkhurst T, Standish RJ, Prober SM, Kobryn H, Vardon M. Balancing the books of nature by accounting for ecosystem condition following ecological restoration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11369. [PMID: 38762699 PMCID: PMC11102552 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Demand for ecological restoration of Earth's degraded ecosystems has increased significantly since the adoption of The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in December 2022, with target 2 aiming to ensure that at least 30% of degraded ecosystems are under effective restoration by 2030. More recently, in December 2023, the Australian Parliament introduced the Nature Repair Act, which establishes a framework for the world's first legislated, national, voluntary biodiversity market. How can the effectiveness of these ambitious targets be measured? Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) provides a framework to measure changes in ecosystem condition that is applicable across ecosystems and potentially catalogue effects of restoration interventions to drive investment, improvement to practice, and ultimately, to better protect the Earth's ecosystems. However, the framework has not been tested in this context. In this progressive approach, we populated the leading global NCA framework with ecological data to quantify changes in ecosystem condition after restoration. In principle, NCA is fit for purpose, however, methodological refinements and ecological expertise are needed to unlock its full potential. These tweaks will facilitate adoption and standardisation of reporting as efforts ramp up to meet ambitious global restoration targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Parkhurst
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Australia.
| | - Rachel J Standish
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Australia
| | | | - Halina Kobryn
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Australia
| | - Michael Vardon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, 2601, Australia
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16
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Moor H, Bergamini A, Vorburger C, Holderegger R, Bühler C, Bircher N, Schmidt BR. Building pondscapes for amphibian metapopulations. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14165. [PMID: 38711380 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The success of ponds constructed to restore ecological infrastructure for pond-breeding amphibians and benefit aquatic biodiversity depends on where and how they are built. We studied effects of pond and landscape characteristics, including connectivity, on metapopulation dynamics of 12 amphibian species in Switzerland. To understand the determinants of long-term occupancy (here summarized as incidence), environmental effects on both colonization and persistence should be considered. We fitted dynamic occupancy models to 20 years of monitoring data on a pond construction program to quantify effects of pond and landscape characteristics and different connectivity metrics on colonization and persistence probabilities in constructed ponds. Connectivity to existing populations explained dynamics better than structural connectivity metrics, and simple metrics (distance to the nearest neighbor population, population density) were useful surrogates for dispersal kernel-weighted metrics commonly used in metapopulation theory. Population connectivity mediated the persistence of conservation target species in new ponds, suggesting source-sink dynamics in newly established populations. Population density captured this effect well and could be used by practitioners for site selection. Ponds created where there were 2-4 occupied ponds within a radius of ∼0.5 km had >3.5 times higher incidence of target species (median) than isolated ponds. Species had individual preferences regarding pond characteristics, but breeding sites with larger (≥100 m2) total water surface area, that temporarily dried, and that were in surroundings with maximally 50% forest benefitted multiple target species. Pond diversity will foster amphibian diversity at the landscape scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Moor
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Ariel Bergamini
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Vorburger
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Holderegger
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Nicolas Bircher
- Sektion Natur and Landschaft, Kanton Aargau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt R Schmidt
- info fauna karch, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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17
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Li BV, Wu S, Hua F, Mi X. The past and future of ecosystem restoration in China. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R379-R387. [PMID: 38714169 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
For decades, China has implemented restoration programs on a large scale, thanks to its capacity to set policy and mobilize funding resources. An understanding of China's restoration achievements and remaining challenges will help to guide future efforts to restore 30% of its diverse ecosystems under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Here we summarize the major transitions in China's approach to ecosystem restoration since the 1970s, with a focus on the underlying motivations for restoration, approaches to ecosystem management, and financing mechanisms. Whereas China's restoration efforts were predominantly guided by the delivery of certain ecosystem functions and services in earlier decades, more recently it has come to emphasize the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Accordingly, the focal ecosystems, approaches, and financing mechanisms of restoration have also been considerably diversified. This evolution is largely guided by the accumulation of scientific evidence and past experiences. We highlight the key challenges facing China's restoration efforts and propose future directions to improve restoration effectiveness, with regard to goal setting, monitoring, stakeholder involvement, adaptive management, resilience under climate change, and financing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin V Li
- Environmental Research Centre, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215316, China; Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - Shuyao Wu
- Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Center for Yellow River Ecosystem Products, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Fangyuan Hua
- Institute of Ecology and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiangcheng Mi
- Zhejiang Qianjiangyuan Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China
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18
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Strawsine M, van Galen LG, Lord JM, Larcombe MJ. Trophic facilitation in forest restoration: Can Nothofagus trees use ectomycorrhizal fungi of the pioneer shrub Leptospermum? Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11442. [PMID: 38803610 PMCID: PMC11128459 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The benefits of plant-to-plant facilitation in ecological restoration are well recognized, yet the potential for indirect trophic facilitation remains understudied. Nothofagus (southern beech; Nothofagaceae) is an iconic southern hemisphere tree genus that is frequently the focus of ecological restoration efforts. One aspect of Nothofagus ecology that may limit restoration success is the availability of appropriate ectomycorrhizal fungi. It has been suggested that pioneer dual-mycorrhizal hosts such as Leptospermum species (Myrtaceae) could facilitate Nothofagus establishment by providing fungal inoculum, but the capacity for Nothofagus to use Leptospermum ectomycorrhizal fungi is unknown. To investigate potential indirect facilitation, we conducted a common garden pot trial to determine if Nothofagus cliffortioides (mountain beech) can use symbionts from Leptospermum scoparium (mānuka) ectomycorrhizal communities. Nothofagus and Leptospermum seedlings were grown in monoculture and mixed pairs with reciprocal "home" and "away" soil fungal inoculum. ITS2 metabarcoding of eDNA from hyphal ingrowth bags revealed that Nothofagus and Leptospermum inoculum contained different ectomycorrhizal fungal communities, but that half of the common ectomycorrhizal taxa identified were found in both soil types, suggesting generalist fungi exist. Nothofagus was able to form associations with some fungal species originating from Leptospermum inoculum, however, probable spore contamination meant that the proportion of root colonization associated with those species was ambiguous. Root ectomycorrhizal colonization rates were positively associated with seedling biomass, and there was some evidence of a home soil inoculum advantage in Nothofagus, but these effects were minor. Additionally, we found evidence that home inoculum provides a protective advantage against drought stress for Leptospermum seedlings. Our results indicate the potential for using Leptospermum to promote Nothofagus establishment in restoration plantings and highlight the possible benefits of considering fungal mutualists in ecological restoration projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merissa Strawsine
- Department of BotanyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
- Present address:
Shasta‐Trinity National ForestReddingCaliforniaUSA
| | - Laura G. van Galen
- Department of BotanyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
- Department of Environmental Systems ScienceETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN)DoverDelawareUSA
| | - Janice M. Lord
- Department of BotanyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
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19
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Metaxas A, Anglin CD, Cross A, Drazen J, Haeckel M, Mudd G, Smith CR, Smith S, Weaver PPE, Sonter L, Amon DJ, Erskine PD, Levin LA, Lily H, Maest AS, Mestre NC, Ramirez-Llodra E, Sánchez LE, Sharma R, Vanreusel A, Wheston S, Tunnicliffe V. Comparing environmental impacts of deep-seabed and land-based mining: A defensible framework. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17334. [PMID: 38780465 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked and must be addressed jointly. A proposed solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and thus mitigating climate change, is the transition from conventional combustion-engine to electric vehicles. This transition currently requires additional mineral resources, such as nickel and cobalt used in car batteries, presently obtained from land-based mines. Most options to meet this demand are associated with some biodiversity loss. One proposal is to mine the deep seabed, a vast, relatively pristine and mostly unexplored region of our planet. Few comparisons of environmental impacts of solely expanding land-based mining versus extending mining to the deep seabed for the additional resources exist and for biodiversity only qualitative. Here, we present a framework that facilitates a holistic comparison of relative ecosystem impacts by mining, using empirical data from relevant environmental metrics. This framework (Environmental Impact Wheel) includes a suite of physicochemical and biological components, rather than a few selected metrics, surrogates, or proxies. It is modified from the "recovery wheel" presented in the International Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration to address impacts rather than recovery. The wheel includes six attributes (physical condition, community composition, structural diversity, ecosystem function, external exchanges and absence of threats). Each has 3-5 sub attributes, in turn measured with several indicators. The framework includes five steps: (1) identifying geographic scope; (2) identifying relevant spatiotemporal scales; (3) selecting relevant indicators for each sub-attribute; (4) aggregating changes in indicators to scores; and (5) generating Environmental Impact Wheels for targeted comparisons. To move forward comparisons of land-based with deep seabed mining, thresholds of the indicators that reflect the range in severity of environmental impacts are needed. Indicators should be based on clearly articulated environmental goals, with objectives and targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Metaxas
- Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - C D Anglin
- Anglin & Associates Consulting, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Cross
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
- EcoHealth Network, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J Drazen
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - M Haeckel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - G Mudd
- Environmental Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - C R Smith
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - S Smith
- Blue Globe Solutions Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - L Sonter
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - D J Amon
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- SpeSeas, D'Abadie, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - P D Erskine
- Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - L A Levin
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - H Lily
- Independent Legal Consultant, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | - A S Maest
- Buka Environmental, Telluride, Colorado, USA
| | - N C Mestre
- Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA)-Infrastructure Network in Aquatic Research (ARNET), Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | | | - L E Sánchez
- Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R Sharma
- National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India
| | - A Vanreusel
- Marine Biology Research Group Ghent University Krijgslaan, Ghent, Belgium
| | - S Wheston
- Tembusu-Sustainability & Risk Management, Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
| | - V Tunnicliffe
- Department of Biology/School Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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20
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Rebi A, Wang G, Irfan M, Hussain A, Mustafa A, Flynn T, Ejaz I, Raza T, Mushtaq P, Rizwan M, Zhou J. Unraveling the impact of wildfires on permafrost ecosystems: Vulnerability, implications, and management strategies. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120917. [PMID: 38663084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120917] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Permafrost regions play an important role in global carbon and nitrogen cycling, storing enormous amounts of organic carbon and preserving a delicate balance of nutrient dynamics. However, the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in these regions pose significant challenges to the stability of these ecosystems. This review examines the effects of fire on chemical, biological, and physical properties of permafrost regions. The physical, chemical, and pedological properties of frozen soil are impacted by fires, leading to changes in soil structure, porosity, and hydrological functioning. The combustion of organic matter during fires releases carbon and nitrogen, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient loss. Understanding the interactions between fire severity, ecosystem processes, and the implications for permafrost regions is crucial for predicting the impacts of wildfires and developing effective strategies for ecosystem protection and agricultural productivity in frozen soils. By synthesizing available knowledge and research findings, this review enhances our understanding of fire severity's implications for permafrost ecosystems and offers insights into effective fire management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ansa Rebi
- Jianshui Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forestry Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center of Forestry Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Jianshui Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forestry Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center of Forestry Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Institute of Agro-Industry and Environment, Islamia University Bahawalpur-63100, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Azfar Hussain
- International Research Center on Karst Under the Auspices of UNESCO, Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin, China
| | - Adnan Mustafa
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Trevan Flynn
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2194, Sweden
| | - Irsa Ejaz
- Department of Crop Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Taqi Raza
- Department of Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Parsa Mushtaq
- Research Center for Urban Forestry of Beijing Forestry University, Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, The Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Jinxing Zhou
- Jianshui Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forestry Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center of Forestry Ecological Engineering, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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21
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Bockel T, Marre G, Delaruelle G, Agel N, Boissery P, Guilhaumon F, Mouquet N, Mouillot D, Guilbert A, Deter J. Early signals of Posidonia oceanica meadows recovery in a context of wastewater treatment improvements. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116193. [PMID: 38428047 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116193] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Natural ecological restoration is a cornerstone of modern conservation science and managers need more documented "success stories" to lead the way. In French mediterranean sea, we monitored Posidonia oceanica lower limit using acoustic telemetry and photogrammetry and investigated the descriptors driving its variations, at a national scale and over more than a decade. We showed significant effects of environmental descriptors (region, sea surface temperature and bottom temperature) but also of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents proxies (size of WWTP, time since conformity, and distance to the closest effluent) on the meadows lower limit progression. This work indicates a possible positive response of P. oceanica meadows to improvements in wastewater treatment and a negative effect of high temperatures. While more data is needed, the example of French wastewater policy should inspire stakeholders and coastal managers in their efforts to limit anthropogenic pressures on vulnerable ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bockel
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France; MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France.
| | - Guilhem Marre
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | | | - Noémie Agel
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | - Pierre Boissery
- Agence de l'Eau Rhône-Méditerranée-Corse, Délégation de Marseille, immeuble CMCI, 2 rue Henri Barbusse, CS 90464, 13207 Marseille Cedex 01, France
| | - François Guilhaumon
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Nicolas Mouquet
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France; FRB - CESAB, Institut Bouisson Bertrand, 5, rue de l'École de médecine, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Antonin Guilbert
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France
| | - Julie Deter
- Andromède océanologie, 7 place Cassan, Carnon plage, 34130 Mauguio, France; MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier Cedex, France
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22
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Simões LHP, Guillemot J, Ronquim CC, Weidlich EWA, Muys B, Fuza MS, Lima RAF, Brancalion PHS. Green deserts, but not always: A global synthesis of native woody species regeneration under tropical tree monocultures. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17269. [PMID: 38563238 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Tree monocultures constitute an increasing fraction of the global tree cover and are the dominant tree-growing strategy of forest landscape restoration commitments. Their advantages to produce timber are well known, but their value for biodiversity is highly controversial and context dependent. Therefore, understanding whether, and in which conditions, they can harbor native species regeneration is crucial. Here, we conducted meta-analyses based on a global survey of the literature and on a database created with local, unpublished studies throughout Brazil to evaluate the regeneration potential of native species under tree monocultures and the way management influences this regeneration. Native woody species regeneration under tree monocultures harbors a substantial fraction of the diversity (on average 40% and 68% in the global and Brazilian surveys, respectively) and abundance (on average 25% and 60% in the global and Brazilian surveys, respectively) of regeneration observed in natural forests. Plantations with longer rotation lengths, composed of native tree species, and located adjacent to forest remnants harbor more species. Pine plantations harbor more native individuals than eucalypt plantations, and the abundance of regenerating trees is higher in sites with higher mean temperatures. Species-area curves revealed that the number of woody species under pine and eucalypt plantations in Brazil is 606 and 598 species, respectively, over an aggregated sampled area of ca. 12 ha. We highlight that the understory of tree monocultures can harbor a considerable diversity of regenerating native species at the landscape and regional scales, but this diversity strongly depends on management. Long-rotation length and favorable location are key factors for woody regeneration success under tropical tree monocultures. Therefore, tree monocultures can play a role in forest landscape restoration and conservation, but only if they are planned and managed for achieving this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura H P Simões
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joannès Guillemot
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- CIRAD, UMR Eco&Sols, Montpellier, France
- Eco&Sols, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAe, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Bart Muys
- Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matheus S Fuza
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato A F Lima
- Department of Biological Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro H S Brancalion
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Re.green, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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23
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Silva CFD, Pereira EA, Carvalho MDAR, Botero WG, de Oliveira LC. Urban river recovery: a systematic review on the effectiveness of water clean-up programs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:26355-26377. [PMID: 38530521 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33055-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Urban rivers are affected at different levels by the intensification of human activities, representing a serious threat to the maintenance of terrestrial life and sustainable urban development. Consequently, great efforts have been dedicated to the ecological restoration of urban rivers around the world, as a solution to recovering the environmental functionality of these environments. In this sense, the present work aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interventions carried out aimed at the recovery of urban rivers, through a systematic review of the literature between 2010 and 2022, using the search term "rivers recovery." The results showed that there have been notable advances in the implementation of river recovery programs in urban areas around the world between the years analyzed. The ecosystems studied were affected, for the most part, by the increase in the supply of nutrients from domestic and industrial effluents, in addition to having highly urbanized surroundings and with several changes in land use patterns. The preparation of this literature review made it possible to demonstrate that the effectiveness of river recovery is extremely complex, since river recovery projects are developed for different reasons, as well as being carried out in different ways according to the intended objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Ferreira da Silva
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, João Leme dos Santos Highway, km 110 - SP-264, Sorocaba, SP, 18052.780, Brazil
| | - Elisabete Alves Pereira
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, João Leme dos Santos Highway, km 110 - SP-264, Sorocaba, SP, 18052.780, Brazil
| | - Mayara de Almeida Ribeiro Carvalho
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, João Leme dos Santos Highway, km 110 - SP-264, Sorocaba, SP, 18052.780, Brazil
| | - Wander Gustavo Botero
- Federal University of Alagoas, Graduate Program in Chemistry and Biotechnology, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-900, Brazil
| | - Luciana Camargo de Oliveira
- Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Environmental Monitoring, João Leme dos Santos Highway, km 110 - SP-264, Sorocaba, SP, 18052.780, Brazil.
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24
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Gillson L, Hoffman MT, Gell PA, Ekblom A, Bond WJ. Trees, carbon, and the psychology of landscapes. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:359-367. [PMID: 38129213 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Mitigating climate change while safeguarding biodiversity and livelihoods is a major challenge. However, rampant afforestation threatens biodiversity and livelihoods, with questionable benefits to carbon storage. The narrative of landscape degradation is often applied without considering the history of the landscape. While some landscapes are undoubtedly deforested, others existed in open or mosaic states before human intervention, or have been deliberately maintained as such. In psychology, a 'fundamental attribution error' is made when characteristics are attributed without consideration of context or circumstances. We apply this concept to landscapes, and then propose a process that avoids attribution errors by testing a null hypothesis regarding past forest extent, using palaeoecology and other long-term data, alongside ecological and stakeholder knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Gillson
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; From May 2024: Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - M Timm Hoffman
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter A Gell
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Ballarat, Australia
| | | | - William J Bond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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25
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Lachs L. Ecosystem restoration: Healing blasts from the past. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R254-R256. [PMID: 38531321 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Blast fishing reduces coral reefs to fields of rubble. A new study of a project to restore blast-fished reefs reveals rapid recovery of reef carbonate budgets and reef health but highlights that further work is needed to restore coral biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Lachs
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
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26
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Lange ID, Razak TB, Perry CT, Maulana PB, Prasetya ME, Irwan, Lamont TA. Coral restoration can drive rapid reef carbonate budget recovery. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1341-1348.e3. [PMID: 38460511 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Restoration is increasingly seen as a necessary tool to reverse ecological decline across terrestrial and marine ecosystems.1,2 Considering the unprecedented loss of coral cover and associated reef ecosystem services, active coral restoration is gaining traction in local management strategies and has recently seen major increases in scale. However, the extent to which coral restoration may restore key reef functions is poorly understood.3,4 Carbonate budgets, defined as the balance between calcium carbonate production and erosion, influence a reef's ability to provide important geo-ecological functions including structural complexity, reef framework production, and vertical accretion.5 Here we present the first assessment of reef carbonate budget trajectories at restoration sites. The study was conducted at one of the world's largest coral restoration programs, which transplants healthy coral fragments onto hexagonal metal frames to consolidate degraded rubble fields.6 Within 4 years, fast coral growth supports a rapid recovery of coral cover (from 17% ± 2% to 56% ± 4%), substrate rugosity (from 1.3 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.1) and carbonate production (from 7.2 ± 1.6 to 20.7 ± 2.2 kg m-2 yr-1). Four years after coral transplantation, net carbonate budgets have tripled and are indistinguishable from healthy control sites (19.1 ± 3.1 and 18.7 ± 2.2 kg m-2 yr-1, respectively). However, taxa-level contributions to carbonate production differ between restored and healthy reefs due to the preferential use of branching corals for transplantation. While longer observation times are necessary to observe any self-organization ability of restored reefs (natural recruitment, resilience to thermal stress), we demonstrate the potential of large-scale, well-managed coral restoration projects to recover important ecosystem functions within only 4 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines D Lange
- Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RJ, UK.
| | - Tries B Razak
- Research Centre for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta Pusat 10340, Indonesia; School of Coral Reef Restoration (SCORES), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Chris T Perry
- Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RJ, UK
| | | | | | - Irwan
- Mars Sustainable Solutions, Makassar 90224, Indonesia
| | - Timothy Ac Lamont
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
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Vidal MA, Henríquez N, Torres-Díaz C, Collado G, Acuña-Rodríguez IS. Identifying Strategies for Effective Biodiversity Preservation and Species Status of Chilean Amphibians. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:169. [PMID: 38534439 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Resources are limited in global biodiversity conservation efforts, which emphasizes the significance of setting conservation priorities. Using standardized criteria, we evaluated 58 amphibian species in Chile to determine their conservation priority (CP). Species with insufficient historical data had their values marked as missing. With a median value of p = 1.67, the results demonstrated CP values ranging from p = 0.48 to p = 3.0, classifying species into priority and non-priority groups. Four levels were established for the priority categories: no priority, low priority, medium priority, and high priority. Additionally, the Telmatobiidae and Alsodidae families were identified as two more priority families. Notably, the species with the highest priority were found to be T. halli, T. fronteriensis, T. philippii, T. chusmisensis, A. pehuenche, and Alsodes tumultuosus, where T. philippii and T. fronteriensis have equal priority for conservation at the national level according to the conservation priority analysis. Eight priority families-the Alsodidae, Batrachylidae, Bufonidae, Ceratophryidae, Leptodactylidae, Rhinodermatidae, and Telmatobiidae-were determined, and 14 species-or 24% of the species examined-need further study. Based on the conservation priority analysis, the species T. fronteriensis and T. philippii share the highest priority for conservation at the national level (p = 2.50). With 70% of the amphibians under study being threatened mainly by habitat loss, pollution, and emerging diseases, the creation of conservation categories made the threat assessment process easier. Due to a lack of information on geographic distribution and abundance, quantitatively classifying amphibians in Chile remains difficult. The analysis of conservation priorities and potential extinction threats informs appropriate management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela A Vidal
- Center for Ñuble Studies, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Av. Andrés Bello 720, Chillan 3800708, Chile
- Biodiversity and Global Change Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Av. Andrés Bello 720, Chillan 3800708, Chile
| | - Nayadet Henríquez
- Biodiversity and Global Change Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Av. Andrés Bello 720, Chillan 3800708, Chile
| | - Cristian Torres-Díaz
- Biodiversity and Global Change Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Av. Andrés Bello 720, Chillan 3800708, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Collado
- Biodiversity and Global Change Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Av. Andrés Bello 720, Chillan 3800708, Chile
| | - Ian S Acuña-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinaria (I3), Universidad de Talca, Campus Lircay, Avda, Lircay s/n, Talca 3465548, Chile
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28
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Saldaña PH, Angelini C, Bertness MD, Altieri AH. Dead foundation species drive ecosystem dynamics. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:294-305. [PMID: 37923644 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Foundation species facilitate communities, modulate energy flow, and define ecosystems, but their ecological roles after death are frequently overlooked. Here, we reveal the widespread importance of their dead structures as unique, interacting components of ecosystems that are vulnerable to global change. Key metabolic activity, mobility, and morphology traits of foundation species either change or persist after death with important consequences for ecosystem functions, biodiversity, and subsidy dynamics. Dead foundation species frequently mediate ecosystem stability, resilience, and transitions, often through feedbacks, and harnessing their structural and trophic roles can improve restoration outcomes. Enhanced recognition of dead foundation species and their incorporation into habitat monitoring, ecological theory, and ecosystem forecasting can help solve the escalating conservation challenges of the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick H Saldaña
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Christine Angelini
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Mark D Bertness
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Andrew H Altieri
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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29
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Bartholomew DC, Hayward R, Burslem DFRP, Bittencourt PRL, Chapman D, Bin Suis MAF, Nilus R, O'Brien MJ, Reynolds G, Rowland L, Banin LF, Dent D. Bornean tropical forests recovering from logging at risk of regeneration failure. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17209. [PMID: 38469989 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Active restoration through silvicultural treatments (enrichment planting, cutting climbers and liberation thinning) is considered an important intervention in logged forests. However, its ability to enhance regeneration is key for long-term recovery of logged forests, which remains poorly understood, particularly for the production and survival of seedlings in subsequent generations. To understand the long-term impacts of logging and restoration we tracked the diversity, survival and traits of seedlings that germinated immediately after a mast fruiting in North Borneo in unlogged and logged forests 30-35 years after logging. We monitored 5119 seedlings from germination for ~1.5 years across a mixed landscape of unlogged forests (ULs), naturally regenerating logged forests (NR) and actively restored logged forests via rehabilitative silvicultural treatments (AR), 15-27 years after restoration. We measured 14 leaf, root and biomass allocation traits on 399 seedlings from 15 species. Soon after fruiting, UL and AR forests had higher seedling densities than NR forest, but survival was the lowest in AR forests in the first 6 months. Community composition differed among forest types; AR and NR forests had lower species richness and lower evenness than UL forests by 5-6 months post-mast but did not differ between them. Differences in community composition altered community-weighted mean trait values across forest types, with higher root biomass allocation in NR relative to UL forest. Traits influenced mortality ~3 months post-mast, with more acquisitive traits and relative aboveground investment favoured in AR forests relative to UL forests. Our findings of reduced seedling survival and diversity suggest long time lags in post-logging recruitment, particularly for some taxa. Active restoration of logged forests recovers initial seedling production, but elevated mortality in AR forests lowers the efficacy of active restoration to enhance recruitment or diversity of seedling communities. This suggests current active restoration practices may fail to overcome barriers to regeneration in logged forests, which may drive long-term changes in future forest plant communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Bartholomew
- School of Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Richmond, UK
| | - Robin Hayward
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Daniel Chapman
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | | | - Reuben Nilus
- Forest Research Centre Sepilok, Sandakan, Malaysia
| | - Michael J O'Brien
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Almería, Spain
| | - Glen Reynolds
- SE Asia Rainforest Research Partnership, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Lucy Rowland
- School of Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Daisy Dent
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Panama
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland
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30
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Elphick A, Ockendon N, Aliácar S, Crowson M, Pettorelli N. Long-term vegetation trajectories to inform nature recovery strategies: The Greater Côa Valley as a case study. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 355:120413. [PMID: 38442655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120413] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Active and passive approaches to rewilding and ecological restoration are increasingly considered to promote nature recovery at scale. However, historical data on vegetation trajectories have rarely been used to inform decisions on whether active or passive management is most appropriate to aid recovery of a specific ecosystem, which can lead to sub-optimal approaches being deployed and reduced biodiversity benefits. To demonstrate how understanding past changes can inform future management strategies, this study used satellite remote sensing data to analyse the changes in land cover and primary productivity within the Greater Côa Valley in Portugal, which has experienced wide-scale land abandonment. Results show that some areas in the Valley regenerated well following land abandonment in the region, leading to a more heterogeneous landscape of habitats for wildlife, whereas in other areas passive recovery was slow. As Rewilding Portugal intensifies its nature recovery efforts in the region, this study calls for strategic deployment of passive and active approaches to maximise conservation benefits. More broadly, our results highlight how baseline vegetational trajectories and contextual information can help inform whether active or passive management approaches may be suitable on a site-by-site basis for both rewilding and restoration projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Elphick
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY London, UK; UCL Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nancy Ockendon
- Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, The David Attenborough Building, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Sara Aliácar
- Rewilding Portugal, Quinta da Maunça SN, 6300-035, Arrifana, Guarda, Portugal
| | - Merry Crowson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY London, UK
| | - Nathalie Pettorelli
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY London, UK; UCL Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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31
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Pérez G, O'Leary BC, Allegri E, Casal G, Cornet CC, de Juan S, Failler P, Fredriksen S, Fonseca C, Furlan E, Gil A, Hawkins JP, Maréchal JP, McCarthy T, Roberts CM, Trégarot E, van der Geest M, Simide R. A conceptual framework to help choose appropriate blue nature-based solutions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 352:119936. [PMID: 38218164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119936] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Biodiversity loss and climate change have severely impacted ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide, compromising access to food and water, increasing disaster risk, and affecting human health globally. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have gained interest in addressing these global societal challenges. Although much effort has been directed to NbS in urban and terrestrial environments, the implementation of NbS in marine and coastal environments (blue NbS) lags. The lack of a framework to guide decision-makers and practitioners through the initial planning stages appears to be one of the main obstacles to the slow implementation of blue NbS. To address this, we propose an integrated conceptual framework, built from expert knowledge, to inform the selection of the most appropriate blue NbS based on desired intervention objectives and social-ecological context. Our conceptual framework follows a four incremental steps structure: Step 1 aims to identify the societal challenge(s) to address; Step 2 highlights ecosystem services and the underlying biodiversity and ecological functions that could contribute to confronting the societal challenge(s); Step 3 identify the specific environmental context the intervention needs to be set within (e.g. the spatial scale the intervention will operate within, the ecosystem's vulnerability to stressors, and its ecological condition); and Step 4 provides a selection of potential blue NbS interventions that would help address the targeted societal challenge(s) considering the context defined through Step 3. Designed to maintain, enhance, recover, rehabilitate, or create ecosystem services by supporting biodiversity, the blue NbS intervention portfolio includes marine protection (i.e., fully, highly, lightly, and minimally protected areas), restorative activities (i.e., active, passive, and partial restoration; rehabilitation of ecological function and ecosystem creation), and other management measures (i.e., implementation and enforcement of regulation). Ultimately, our conceptual framework guides decision-makers toward a versatile portfolio of interventions that cater to the specific needs of each ecosystem rather than imposing a rigid, one-size-fits-all model. In the future, this framework needs to integrate socio-economic considerations more comprehensively and be kept up-to-date by including the latest scientific information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bethan C O'Leary
- Department of Ecology & Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom; Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, YO10 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Allegri
- Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici and Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, CMCC@Ca'Foscari - Edificio Porta dell'Innovazione, 2nd Floor - Via della Libertà, 12, 30175, Venice, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, I-30170, Venice, Italy
| | - Gema Casal
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Cindy C Cornet
- Centre for Blue Governance, Portsmouth Business School, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia de Juan
- The Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, IMEDEA (UIB-CSIC), C/Miquel Marques 21, Esporles, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Pierre Failler
- Centre for Blue Governance, Portsmouth Business School, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE, United Kingdom
| | - Stein Fredriksen
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, 4817, His, Norway; University of Oslo, Department of Biosciences, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Catarina Fonseca
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Elisa Furlan
- Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici and Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, CMCC@Ca'Foscari - Edificio Porta dell'Innovazione, 2nd Floor - Via della Libertà, 12, 30175, Venice, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca' Foscari Venice, I-30170, Venice, Italy
| | - Artur Gil
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, Portugal; IVAR - Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Julie P Hawkins
- Department of Ecology & Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tim McCarthy
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Callum M Roberts
- Department of Ecology & Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Ewan Trégarot
- Centre for Blue Governance, Portsmouth Business School, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE, United Kingdom
| | - Matthijs van der Geest
- Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB, Den Helder, the Netherlands
| | - Rémy Simide
- Oceanographic Institute Paul Ricard, Embiez Island, France.
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Zhang W, Xu D. Benefits evaluation of ecological restoration projects based on value realization of ecological products. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 352:120139. [PMID: 38262287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120139] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Ecological restoration project is the premise to realize the value of ecological products. The current ecological product value accounting and ecological restoration project benefit evaluation methods are interlinked. The benefit evaluation of ecological restoration projects can not only analyze the completion of ecological restoration projects, but also quantify the impact of externalities on regional development. This study proposes a hypothesis that the benefit evaluation results of ecological restoration projects can affect the realization of urban ecological product value. In order to verify the above hypothesis, this study designed a benefit evaluation framework to evaluate the economic benefits, ecological benefits and project costs of ecological restoration projects. In this study, the benefit evaluation results are divided into three cases to calculate the benefit-cost ratio under different conditions. The three cases are only considering the direct economic benefits (DEB), considering the indirect economic benefits (TEB) and considering the comprehensive benefits (AEB). Taking Jiangyin City of Jiangsu Province as an example, the benefit evaluation of water source protection project in Jiangyin City is carried out. The results show that the benefit-cost ratios in the three cases are 6.68,7.60 and 9.36, respectively. The results show that the benefit-cost ratio is different in different benefit situations. Therefore, when discussing the realization path of ecological product value in ecological restoration areas, it is also necessary to discuss the situation. The evaluation system can provide reference for the benefit evaluation of ecological restoration projects, and also provide data and theoretical support for the realization of regional ecological product value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Zhang
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ding Xu
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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33
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Romanelli JP, Piana MR, Klaus VH, Brancalion PHS, Murcia C, Cardou F, Wallace KJ, Adams C, Martin PA, Burton PJ, Diefenderfer HL, Gornish ES, Stanturf J, Beyene M, Santos JPB, Rodrigues RR, Cadotte MW. Convergence and divergence in science and practice of urban and rural forest restoration. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:295-312. [PMID: 37813383 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13022] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Forest restoration has never been higher on policymakers' agendas. Complex and multi-dimensional arrangements across the urban-rural continuum challenge restorationists and require integrative approaches to strengthen environmental protection and increase restoration outcomes. It remains unclear if urban and rural forest restoration are moving towards or away from each other in practice and research, and whether comparing research outcomes can help stakeholders to gain a clearer understanding of the interconnectedness between the two fields. This study aims to identify the challenges and opportunities for enhancing forest restoration in both urban and rural systems by reviewing the scientific evidence, engaging with key stakeholders and using an urban-rural forest restoration framework. Using the Society for Ecological Restoration's International Principles as discussion topics, we highlight aspects of convergence and divergence between the two fields to broaden our understanding of forest restoration and promote integrative management approaches to address future forest conditions. Our findings reveal that urban and rural forest restoration have convergent and divergent aspects. We emphasise the importance of tailoring goals and objectives to specific contexts and the need to design different institutions and incentives based on the social and ecological needs and goals of stakeholders in different regions. Additionally, we discuss the challenges of achieving high levels of ecological restoration and the need to go beyond traditional ecology to plan, implement, monitor, and adaptively manage restored forests. We suggest that rivers and watersheds could serve as a common ground linking rural and urban landscapes and that forest restoration could interact with other environmental protection measures. We note the potential for expanding the creative vision associated with increasing tree-containing environments in cities to generate more diverse and resilient forest restoration outcomes in rural settings. This study underscores the value of integrative management approaches in addressing future forest conditions across the urban-rural continuum. Our framework provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and decision-makers to advance the field of forest restoration and address the challenges of restoration across the urban-rural continuum. The rural-urban interface serves as a convergence point for forest restoration, and both urban and rural fields can benefit from each other's expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Romanelli
- Laboratory of Ecology and Forest Restoration (LERF), Department of Biological Sciences, 'Luiz de Queiroz' College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Max R Piana
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Valentin H Klaus
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätstr. 2, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Pedro H S Brancalion
- Department of Forest Sciences, 'Luiz de Queiroz' College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Carolina Murcia
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Françoise Cardou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Kiri Joy Wallace
- Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao - Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Cristina Adams
- Forest Governance Research Group (GGF), Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE), University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, 1289, São Paulo, SP, 05508-010, Brazil
| | - Philip A Martin
- Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Edificio sede no 1, planta 1, Parque científico UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, Bizkaia, 48940, Spain
| | - Philip J Burton
- Department of Ecosystem Science & Management, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada
- Symbios Research & Restoration, Smithers, BC, V0J 2N4, Canada
| | - Heida L Diefenderfer
- University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 1529 West Sequim Bay Road, Sequim, WA, 98382, USA
| | - Elise S Gornish
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - John Stanturf
- Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, Tartu, 51014, Estonia
| | - Menilek Beyene
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - João Paulo Bispo Santos
- Laboratory of Ecology and Forest Restoration (LERF), Department of Biological Sciences, 'Luiz de Queiroz' College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo R Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Ecology and Forest Restoration (LERF), Department of Biological Sciences, 'Luiz de Queiroz' College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil
| | - Marc W Cadotte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
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Noor AE, Fatima R, Aslam S, Hussain A, Nisa ZU, Khan M, Mohammed AAA, Sillanpaa M. Health risks assessment and source admeasurement of potentially dangerous heavy metals (Cu, Fe, and Ni) in rapidly growing urban settlement. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117736. [PMID: 38007083 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117736] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination is a global challenge that impacts every aspect of ecosystem. The contaminants from anthropogenic or industrial trash continually recirculate into the environment, agricultural land, plants, livestock, and ultimately into humans by way of the food chain. After an increase in human and farmland animal deaths from illnesses due to contaminated drinking water, toxic metal water poisoning has remained a global concern. Diverse environmental and enforcement organisations have attempted to regulate the activities that serve as precursors to these heavy metals which have been proven ineffective. These unnecessary metals have severely hampered most biological processes. The presence of hazardous metals, which are harmful at extremely high levels and have a negative effect on the health of living bodies generally degrades the nutritional value of water. In order to evaluate the heavy metals (Cu, Ni, and Fe) toxicity of groundwater in pri-urban areas, the current study was conducted that have been considered as advance solution to tackle climate change which influence coastal ecosystem. Additionally, the impacts of soil and plant (spinach and brassica) contamination from groundwater were evaluated. The heavy metals were examined in the soil and groundwater samples (Pb, Fe and Ni). While Fe concentrations in water samples were found to be high as 1.978 mg/L as compared to Ni and Cu values low. According to WHO guidelines, the mean value of Fe exceeds the limit value. Similarly, Cu had a higher mean value (0.7 mg/L) in soil samples than other metals (Ni and Fe). In comparison to Ni and Cu, the Fe concentrations in spinach and brassica plants samples are greater, at 17.2 mg/L and 3.22 mg/L, respectively. The possible effects of metal poisoning of groundwater and plants on human health have been assessed using the Hazard Quotient (HQ), Evaluated Daily Intake (EDI), and Incremental Life Time Cancer Risk formulas (ILTCR). When drinking Ni-contaminated water, humans are more at risk of developing cancer (0.0031) than Fe and Cu. Metal concentrations in water and brassica showed substantially more scattered behaviour on the plot and no meaningful relationship, although PCA and masked matrix correlation showed a fair association between Ni and Cu in brassica (r2: 0.46) and Fe and Ni in spinach (r2: 0.31). According to the study's findings, it is anticipated that special management and groundwater monitoring will be needed in the examined area to reduce the health risks related to drinking water that has been contaminated with metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsh E Noor
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Raqash Fatima
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad-Vehari Campus, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Aslam
- Department of Botany, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Afzal Hussain
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Zaib Un Nisa
- Department of Zoology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Mariam Khan
- School of Applied Sciences and Humanity, (NUSASH), National University of Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdallah A A Mohammed
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mika Sillanpaa
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000, Denmark
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Grand J, Meehan TD, DeLuca WV, Morton J, Pitt J, Calvo-Fonseca A, Dodge C, Gómez-Sapiens M, González-Sargas E, Hinojosa-Huerta O, Nagler P, Restrepo-Giraldo C, Shafroth PB, Villagomez-Palma S, Wilsey CB. Strategic restoration planning for land birds in the Colorado River Delta, Mexico. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119755. [PMID: 38086116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119755] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Ecological restoration is an essential strategy for mitigating the current biodiversity crisis, yet restoration actions are costly. We used systematic conservation planning principles to design an approach that prioritizes restoration sites for birds and tested it in a riparian forest restoration program in the Colorado River Delta. Restoration goals were to maximize the abundance and diversity of 15 priority birds with a variety of habitat preferences. We built abundance models for priority birds based on the current landscape, and predicted bird distributions and relative abundances under a scenario of complete riparian forest restoration throughout our study area. Then, we used Zonation conservation planning software to rank this restored landscape based on core areas for all priority birds. The locations with the highest ranks represented the highest priorities for restoration and were located throughout the river reach. We optimized how much of the available landscape to restore by simulating restoration of the top 10-90% of ranked sites in 10% intervals. We found that total diversity was maximized when 40% of the landscape was restored, and mean relative abundance was maximized when 80% of the landscape was restored. The results suggest that complete restoration is not optimal for this community of priority birds and restoration of approximately 60% of the landscape would provide a balance between maximum relative abundance and diversity. Subsequent planning efforts will combine our results with an assessment of restoration costs to provide further decision support for the restoration-siting process. Our approach can be applied to any landscape-scale restoration program to improve the return on investment of limited economic resources for restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Grand
- National Audubon Society, Science Division, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA.
| | - Timothy D Meehan
- National Audubon Society, Science Division, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA
| | - William V DeLuca
- National Audubon Society, Science Division, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA
| | - Julia Morton
- National Audubon Society, Colorado River Program, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA
| | - Jennifer Pitt
- National Audubon Society, Colorado River Program, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA
| | | | - Chris Dodge
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado River Multi Species Program, 500 Date Street, Boulder City, NV, 89005, USA
| | - Martha Gómez-Sapiens
- University of Arizona, Department of Geosciences, 1040 E. 4th Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Eduardo González-Sargas
- Colorado State University, Department of Biology, 251 W. Pitkin St, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA; U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA
| | - Osvel Hinojosa-Huerta
- Pronatura Noroeste, Cjon. 16 de Septiembre St, San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, 83440, Mexico; Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Pamela Nagler
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Carlos Restrepo-Giraldo
- Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Sustainable Anthropic Landscapes Laboratory, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, San Luis Potosí, 78216, Mexico
| | - Patrick B Shafroth
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA
| | | | - Chad B Wilsey
- National Audubon Society, Science Division, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA
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Overton K, Dempster T, Swearer SE, Morris RL, Barrett LT. Achieving conservation and restoration outcomes through ecologically beneficial aquaculture. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14065. [PMID: 36811200 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14065] [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: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A range of conservation and restoration tools are needed to safeguard the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Aquaculture, the culturing of aquatic organisms, often contributes to the numerous stressors that aquatic ecosystems face, yet some aquaculture activities can also deliver ecological benefits. We reviewed the literature on aquaculture activities that may contribute to conservation and restoration outcomes, either by enhancing the persistence or recovery of one or more target species or by moving aquatic ecosystems toward a target state. We identified 12 ecologically beneficial outcomes achievable via aquaculture: species recovery, habitat restoration, habitat rehabilitation, habitat protection, bioremediation, assisted evolution, climate change mitigation, wild harvest replacement, coastal defense, removal of overabundant species, biological control, and ex situ conservation. This list may be expanded as new applications are discovered. Positive intentions do not guarantee positive ecological outcomes, so it is critical that potentially ecologically beneficial aquaculture activities be evaluated via clear and measurable indicators of success to reduce potential abuse by greenwashing. Unanimity on outcomes, indicators, and related terminology will bring the field of aquaculture-environment interactions into line with consensus standards in conservation and restoration ecology. Broad consensus will also aid the development of future certification schemes for ecologically beneficial aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Overton
- Sustainable Aquaculture Laboratory - Temperate and Tropical (SALTT), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Coastal and Estuarine Adaptation Lab, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim Dempster
- Sustainable Aquaculture Laboratory - Temperate and Tropical (SALTT), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen E Swearer
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Morris
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Coastal and Estuarine Adaptation Lab, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luke T Barrett
- Sustainable Aquaculture Laboratory - Temperate and Tropical (SALTT), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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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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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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Robinson JM, Hodgson R, Krauss SL, Liddicoat C, Malik AA, Martin BC, Mohr JJ, Moreno-Mateos D, Muñoz-Rojas M, Peddle SD, Breed MF. Opportunities and challenges for microbiomics in ecosystem restoration. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1189-1202. [PMID: 37648570 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Microbiomics is the science of characterizing microbial community structure, function, and dynamics. It has great potential to advance our understanding of plant-soil-microbe processes and interaction networks which can be applied to improve ecosystem restoration. However, microbiomics may be perceived as complex and the technology is not accessible to all. The opportunities of microbiomics in restoration ecology are considerable, but so are the practical challenges. Applying microbiomics in restoration must move beyond compositional assessments to incorporate tools to study the complexity of ecosystem recovery. Advances in metaomic tools provide unprecedented possibilities to aid restoration interventions. Moreover, complementary non-omic applications, such as microbial inoculants and biopriming, have the potential to improve restoration objectives by enhancing the establishment and health of vegetation communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M Robinson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; The Aerobiome Innovation & Research Hub, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Riley Hodgson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Siegfried L Krauss
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, Fraser Avenue, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia; Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Craig Liddicoat
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Ashish A Malik
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Belinda C Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Ooid Scientific, North Lake, WA 6162, Australia
| | - Jakki J Mohr
- College of Business, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - David Moreno-Mateos
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road. Oxford OX1 3QY, UK; Department of Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, Quincy Street. Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Basque Center for Climate Change - BC3, Ikerbasque Foundation for Science. Edificio Sede 1, Parque Cientifico UPV, 04940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Miriam Muñoz-Rojas
- Departamento de Biologia Vegetal y Ecologia. Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain; Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shawn D Peddle
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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Temmink RJM, Angelini C, Verkuijl M, van der Heide T. Restoration ecology meets design-engineering: Mimicking emergent traits to restore feedback-driven ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166460. [PMID: 37611724 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166460] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems shaped by habitat-modifying organisms such as reefs, vegetated coastal systems and peatlands, provide valuable ecosystem services, such as carbon storage and coastal protection. However, they are declining worldwide. Ecosystem restoration is a key tool for mitigating these losses but has proven failure-prone, because ecosystem stability often hinges on self-facilitation generated by emergent traits from habitat modifiers. Emergent traits are not expressed by the single individual, but emerge at the level of an aggregation: a minimum patch-size or density-threshold must be exceeded to generate self-facilitation. Self-facilitation has been successfully harnessed for restoration by clumping transplanted organisms, but requires large amounts of often-limiting and costly donor material. Recent advancements highlight that kickstarting self-facilitation by mimicking emergent traits can similarly increase restoration success. Here, we provide a framework for combining expertise from ecologists, engineers and industrial product designers to transition from trial-and-error to emergent trait design-based, cost-efficient approaches to support large-scale restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph J M Temmink
- Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Christine Angelini
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School for Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, PO Box 116580, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Martijn Verkuijl
- Department of Industrial Design Engineering, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Koestraat 3, 8011NG Zwolle, the Netherlands
| | - Tjisse van der Heide
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 1790 AB Den Burg, the Netherlands; Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, the Netherlands
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41
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Yuan Z, Cheng Y, Mi L, Xie J, Xi J, Mao Y, Xu S, Wang Z, Wang S. Effects of Ecological Restoration and Climate Change on Herbaceous and Arboreal Phenology. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3913. [PMID: 38005811 PMCID: PMC10675290 DOI: 10.3390/plants12223913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
With global climate change, changes in vegetation phenology have become increasingly evident. Horqin Sandy Land is located near the eastern part of the West Liaohe River. It is the largest sandy land in China and its ecological environment is fragile. Investigating the changes in vegetation phenology in these sandy areas and determining the relationship between vegetation phenology and meteorological factors are of great importance for predicting the impacts of future climate change and understanding the response mechanisms of ecosystems. In this study, we used the time series of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from 2000 to 2021 and extracted the vegetation phenology in the Horqin Sandy Land using high-order curve fitting methods, including the start date of the growing season (SOS), the end date of the growing season (EOS), and the length of the growing season (LOS). We analyzed their temporal variation and used partial correlation analysis to determine their relationship with meteorological factors (temperature and precipitation). In addition, we compared the phenology and microclimate of forest and grassland within the study area. In the Horqin Sandy Land, the vegetation SOS was concentrated between the 115th and 150th day, the EOS was concentrated between the 260th and 305th day, and the LOS ranged from 125 to 190 days. Over the past 22 years, the SOS, EOS, and LOS of vegetation in the Horqin Sandy Land showed trends of delay, shift, and extension, with rates of change of 0.82 d/10a, 5.82 d/10a, and 5.00 d/10a, respectively. The start date of the growing season in the Horqin Sandy Land was mainly influenced by precipitation in April of the current year, while the end date was mainly influenced by precipitation in August of the current year. Overall, the SOS in the forested areas of the Horqin Sandy Land was slightly later than in the grasslands, but the EOS in the forested areas was significantly later than in the grasslands, resulting in a longer LOS in the forests. In addition, annual precipitation and the rate of precipitation increase were higher in the forested areas than in the grasslands, but soil temperature was higher in the grasslands than in the forests. Vegetation phenology in the Horqin Sandy Land has undergone significant changes, mainly manifested in the delayed end date of the growing season, the extended length of the growing season, and the differences between forest and grassland. This indicates that climate change has indeed affected phenological changes and provides a theoretical basis for subsequent ecological restoration and desertification prevention efforts in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Yuan
- Breeding Base for State Key Lab. of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China;
- Key Lab. of Restoration and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystems in Northwestern China of Ministry of Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.M.); (S.X.); (Z.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Yiben Cheng
- Breeding Base for State Key Lab. of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China;
- Key Lab. of Restoration and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystems in Northwestern China of Ministry of Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.M.); (S.X.); (Z.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Lina Mi
- Breeding Base for State Key Lab. of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China;
- Key Lab. of Restoration and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystems in Northwestern China of Ministry of Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Jin Xie
- National Meteorological Centre, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China;
| | - Jiaju Xi
- Department of Remote Sensing and Mapping, Space Star Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100086, China;
| | - Yiru Mao
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.M.); (S.X.); (Z.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Siqi Xu
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.M.); (S.X.); (Z.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Zhengze Wang
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.M.); (S.X.); (Z.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Saiqi Wang
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (Y.M.); (S.X.); (Z.W.); (S.W.)
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Kindt R. TreeGOER: A database with globally observed environmental ranges for 48,129 tree species. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:6303-6318. [PMID: 37602408 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
The TreeGOER (Tree Globally Observed Environmental Ranges) database provides information for most known tree species of their environmental ranges for 38 bioclimatic, eight soil and three topographic variables. It is based on species distribution modelling analyses of more than 44 million occurrences. The database can be accessed from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7922927. Statistics that include 5% and 95% quantiles were estimated for a cleaned and taxonomically standardized occurrence data set with different methods of outlier detection, with estimates for roughly 45% of species being based on 20 or more observation records. Where sufficient representative observations are available, the ranges provide useful preliminary estimates of suitable conditions particularly for lesser-known species under climate change. Inferred core bioclimatic ranges of species along global temperature and moisture index gradients and across continents follow the known global distribution of tree diversity such as its highest levels in moist tropical forests and the 'odd man out' pattern of lower levels in Africa. To demonstrate how global analyses for large numbers of tree species can easily be done in R with TreeGOER, here I present two case studies. The first case study investigated latitudinal trends of tree vulnerability and compared these with previous results obtained for urban trees. The second case study focused on tropical areas, compared trends in different longitudinal zones and investigated patterns for the moisture index. TreeGOER is expected to benefit researchers conducting biogeographical and climate change research for a wide range of tree species at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roeland Kindt
- Trees and Forest Genetic Resources and Biodiversity, World Agroforestry, CIFOR-ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya
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43
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Yee SH, Sharpe LM, Branoff BL, Jackson CA, Cicchetti G, Jackson S, Pryor M, Shumchenia E. Ecosystem Services Profiles for Communities Benefitting from Estuarine Habitats along the Massachusetts Coast, USA. ECOL INFORM 2023; 77:1-20. [PMID: 38487338 PMCID: PMC10936571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2023.102182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership is one of 28 programs in the United States Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program (NEP) charged with developing and implementing comprehensive plans for protecting and restoring the biological integrity and beneficial uses of their estuarine systems. The Partnership has recently updated their comprehensive management plan to include restoration targets for coastal habitats, and as part of this effort, the program explored how to better demonstrate that recovery of ecological integrity of degraded ecosystems also provides ecosystem services that humans want and need. An essential step was to identify key stakeholders and understand the benefits important to them. The primary objective of the study presented here was to evaluate variability in beneficial uses of estuarine habitats across coastal communities in Massachusetts Bays. We applied a text mining approach to extract ecosystem services concepts from over 1400 community planning documents. We leveraged a Final Ecosystem Goods and Services (FEGS) classification framework and related scoping tool to identify and prioritize the suite of natural resource users and ecosystem services those users care about, based on the relative frequency of mentions in documents. Top beneficiaries included residents, experiencers and viewers, property owners, educators and students, and commercial or recreational fishers. Beneficiaries had a surprising degree of shared interests, with top ecosystem services of broad relevance including for naturalness, fish and shellfish, water movement and navigability, water quality and quantity, aesthetic viewscapes, availability of land for development, flood mitigation, and birds. Community-level priorities that emerged were primarily related to regional differences, the local job industry, and local demographics. Identifying priority ecosystem services from community planning documents provides a starting point for setting locally-relevant restoration goals, designing projects that reflect what stakeholders care about, and supporting post-restoration monitoring in terms of accruing relevant benefits to local communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan H Yee
- Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, USA
| | - Leah M Sharpe
- Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, USA
| | - Benjamin L Branoff
- Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, USA
- Current Address: Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chloe A Jackson
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561, USA
- Current Address: School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, 02125, USA
| | - Giancarlo Cicchetti
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division, Office of Research and Development, United States, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, US Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, USA
| | - Susan Jackson
- Health and Ecological Criteria Division, Office of Water, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 20460, USA
| | - Margherita Pryor
- Water Division, Region 1, New England, US Environmental Protection Agency, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, USA
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Hallett LM, Aoyama L, Barabás G, Gilbert B, Larios L, Shackelford N, Werner CM, Godoy O, Ladouceur ER, Lucero JE, Weiss-Lehman CP, Chase JM, Chu C, Harpole WS, Mayfield MM, Faist AM, Shoemaker LG. Restoration ecology through the lens of coexistence theory. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1085-1096. [PMID: 37468343 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Advances in restoration ecology are needed to guide ecological restoration in a variable and changing world. Coexistence theory provides a framework for how variability in environmental conditions and species interactions affects species success. Here, we conceptually link coexistence theory and restoration ecology. First, including low-density growth rates (LDGRs), a classic metric of coexistence, can improve abundance-based restoration goals, because abundances are sensitive to initial treatments and ongoing variability. Second, growth-rate partitioning, developed to identify coexistence mechanisms, can improve restoration practice by informing site selection and indicating necessary interventions (e.g., site amelioration or competitor removal). Finally, coexistence methods can improve restoration assessment, because initial growth rates indicate trajectories, average growth rates measure success, and growth partitioning highlights interventions needed in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Hallett
- Department of Biology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
| | - Lina Aoyama
- Department of Biology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - György Barabás
- Division of Ecological and Environmental Modeling (ECOMOD), Dept. IFM, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden; Institute of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Benjamin Gilbert
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Loralee Larios
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Nancy Shackelford
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Chhaya M Werner
- University of Wyoming, Botany Department, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Sustainability, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR 97520, USA
| | - Oscar Godoy
- Departamento de Biología, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, E-11510 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Emma R Ladouceur
- Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Physiological Diversity, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jacob E Lucero
- Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Jonathan M Chase
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chengjin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - W Stanley Harpole
- Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Physiological Diversity, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Margaret M Mayfield
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Akasha M Faist
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA; Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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Mason CN, Shahar S, Beals KK, Kelley ST, Lipson DA, Swingley WD, Barber NA. Taxonomic and functional restoration of tallgrass prairie soil microbial communities in comparison to remnant and agricultural soils. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad120. [PMID: 37791391 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Restoring ecosystems requires the re-establishment of diverse soil microbial communities that drive critical ecosystem functions. In grasslands, restoration and management require the application of disturbances like fire and grazing. Disturbances can shape microbial taxonomic composition and potentially functional composition as well. We characterized taxonomic and functional gene composition of soil communities using whole genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing to determine how restored soil communities differed from pre-restoration agricultural soils and original remnant soils, how management affects soil microbes, and whether restoration and management affect the number of microbial genes associated with carbohydrate degradation. We found distinct differences in both taxonomic and functional diversity and composition among restored, remnant, and agricultural soils. Remnant soils had low taxonomic and functional richness and diversity, as well as distinct composition, indicating that restoration of agricultural soils does not re-create soil microbial communities that match remnants. Prescribed fire management increased functional diversity, which also was higher in more recently planted restorations. Finally, restored and post-fire soils included high abundances of genes encoding cellulose-degrading enzymes, so restorations and their ongoing management can potentially support functions important in carbon cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayla N Mason
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Shayla Shahar
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Kendall K Beals
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Scott T Kelley
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - David A Lipson
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Wesley D Swingley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Nicholas A Barber
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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Smith LM, Reschke EM, Bousquin JJ, Cheskiewicz LP, Ilias N, Summers JK, Harvey JE. Methods for a composite ecological suitability measure to inform cumulative restoration assessments in Gulf of Mexico estuaries. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2023; 154:1-15. [PMID: 38274645 PMCID: PMC10807174 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Ecosystem management requires a systematic, holistic approach that considers ecological and social outcomes. Effective restoration practices promote a balance of ecological and social goals by addressing ecological integrity, efficiently maximizing benefits while minimizing investment, and encompassing collaborative stakeholder engagement. Socio-ecological assessments can inform adaptive management and be utilized to prioritize restoration activities and monitor restoration effectiveness. In estuarine systems, socio-ecological assessments should evaluate the ability of habitats to support both ecologically and locally important species. The composite measure presented utilizes a combination of ecological and social measures to characterize ecological suitability for individual and multiple Gulf of Mexico estuarine species. The ecological suitability value (ES) for a given spatial unit is based on a suite of biophysical measures of the quality and extent of suitable habitat for each species, the species' trophic importance in a food web context, and the importance of each species in relation to stakeholder values and benefits. ES values for individual spatial units can be aggregated to estimate the distribution of ecological suitability at the estuarine scale. The ES values are calculated using examples for each step in the process. The information provided by ecological suitability characterizations can support restoration prioritization decisions for Gulf of Mexico estuaries and can provide a baseline measure to gauge restoration effectiveness over time to inform cumulative restoration assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Smith
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
| | - Erin M. Reschke
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
| | - Justin J. Bousquin
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
| | - Leonard P. Cheskiewicz
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
| | - Nikolaos Ilias
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
- Advanced Environmental Technologies, 1318 Dunmire Street, Suite 1, Pensacola, FL 32504, USA
| | - J. Kevin Summers
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
| | - James E. Harvey
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division, 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA
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Shackelford N, McDougall C. Ecosystem restoration, regeneration and rewilding. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:52. [PMID: 37710145 PMCID: PMC10500817 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02165-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropomorphic activities have caused major damage to ecosystems worldwide. Although documenting this damage is important, implementing measures to halt and reverse ecosystem decline is critical and is now being prioritised globally. To support global goals to protect and restore nature, BMC Ecology and Evolution has launched a new article collection to encourage contributions from the multifaceted ecosystem restoration community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Shackelford
- Nancy Shackelford, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.
| | - Carmel McDougall
- Carmel McDougall. Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
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Lamont TAC, Barlow J, Bebbington J, Cuckston T, Djohani R, Garrett R, Jones HP, Razak TB, Graham NAJ. Hold big business to task on ecosystem restoration. Science 2023; 381:1053-1055. [PMID: 37676966 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh2610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Corporate reporting must embrace holistic, scientific principles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jan Bebbington
- Pentland Centre, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster, UK
| | - Thomas Cuckston
- Department of Accounting, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Rachael Garrett
- Environmental Policy Lab, ETH Zürich, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Geography and Conservation Research Institute, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Holly P Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
- Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Tries B Razak
- Research Centre for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
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Eschen R, Bekele K, Jumanne Y, Kibet S, Makale F, Mbwambo JR, Megersa B, Mijay M, Moyo F, Munishi L, Mwihomeke M, Nunda W, Nyangito M, Witt A, Schaffner U. Experimental prosopis management practices and grassland restoration in three Eastern African countries. CABI AGRICULTURE AND BIOSCIENCE 2023; 4:21. [PMID: 38800115 PMCID: PMC11116197 DOI: 10.1186/s43170-023-00163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Woody species have been introduced in many parts of the world to provide economic benefits, but some of those species are now among the worst invaders, causing widespread economic and environmental damage. Management of woody species to restore original ecosystem services, such as biodiverse grassland that can provide fodder and sequester carbon, are needed to limit the impacts of alien species. However, the best management methods, i.e., the most economically efficient and effective way to remove trees and the most effective way to restore or rehabilitate the cleared land, are not developed for many species. In Eastern Africa, prosopis (Prosopis julifora) has invaded large areas of savanna and grassland, thereby affecting, among other things, fodder and water for livestock, access to dry season grazing lands and ultimately pastoral livelihoods. We tested three prosopis treatments (manual uprooting and cut stump and basal bark herbicide application) in combination with three incremental restoration interventions (divots, divots + mulching, divots + mulching + grass seed sowing). The three-year study was replicated in Ethiopia (Afar National Regional State), Kenya (Baringo county) and Tanzania (Moshi district). Prosopis survival and vegetation development, both diversity and biomass, were recorded. The prosopis treatments were all highly effective (between 85 and 100% tree mortality in almost all cases), but the two treatments that involved the complete removal of the aboveground biomass (manual and cut stump) yielded a more productive and more diverse vegetation than the treatment that killed the trees standing (basal bark). Compared to the effect of prosopis removal, the effect of restoration interventions on vegetation composition was small, indicating that most species re-established from the soil seed bank. The results show that it is possible to restore land previously invaded by prosopis. Despite the different rates of vegetation establishment and variation in species composition, the restoration interventions resulted in vegetation that in some cases contained a substantial fraction of perennial grasses. The method chosen to control prosopis depends on the availability of resources, including herbicides, and the need to remove rootstocks if the intention is to plant crops. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43170-023-00163-5.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yohana Jumanne
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
- Tanzanian Forestry Research Institute, Lushoto, Tanzania
| | - Staline Kibet
- Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | | | - Francis Moyo
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Linus Munishi
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Mickfanaka Mwihomeke
- Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- CABI, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Moses Nyangito
- Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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Lokovšek A, Pitacco V, Trkov D, Zamuda LL, Falace A, Orlando-Bonaca M. Keep It Simple: Improving the Ex Situ Culture of Cystoseira s.l. to Restore Macroalgal Forests. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2615. [PMID: 37514229 PMCID: PMC10386143 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Brown algae from genus Cystoseira s.l. form dense underwater forests that represent the most productive areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the combined effects of global and local stressors such as climate change, urbanization, and herbivore outbreaks, there has been a severe decline in brown algal forests in the Mediterranean Sea. Natural recovery of depleted sites is unlikely due to the low dispersal capacity of these species, and efficient techniques to restore such habitats are needed. In this context, the aims of our study were (1) to improve and simplify the current ex situ laboratory protocol for the cultivation of Gongolaria barbata by testing the feasibility of some cost-effective and time-efficient techniques on two donor sites of G. barbata and (2) to evaluate the survival and growth of young thalli during the laboratory phase and during the most critical five months after out-planting. Specifically, the following ex situ cultivation methods were tested: (A) cultivation on clay tiles in mesocosms with culture water prepared by three different procedures (a) filtered seawater with a 0.22 μm filter membrane, (b) filtered seawater with a 0.7 μm filter membrane (GF), and (c) UV-sterilized water, and (B) cultivation on clay tiles in open laboratory systems. After two weeks, all thalli were fixed to plastic lantern net baskets suspended at a depth of 2 m in the coastal sea (hybrid method), and the algal success was monitored in relation to the different donor sites and cultivation protocol. The satisfactory results of this study indicate that UV-sterilized water is suitable for the cultivation of G. barbata in mesocosm, which significantly reduces the cost of the laboratory phase. This opens the possibility of numerous and frequent algal cultures during the reproductive period of the species. Additionally, if the young thalli remain in the lantern net baskets for an extended period of several months, they can grow significantly in the marine environment without being exposed to pressure from herbivorous fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lokovšek
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Valentina Pitacco
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Domen Trkov
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Leon Lojze Zamuda
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Orlando-Bonaca
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
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