Standards‐based evaluation inform ecological restoration outcomes for a major mining activity in a global biodiversity hotspot

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 32(8)

Published: Sept. 24, 2024

The International Principles and Standards for the Ecological Restoration Recovery of Mine Sites were used to assess restoration quality one world's largest mines, located in most biodiverse temperate forest. Quantitative analysis longitudinal data spanning 35 years scored at 2‐stars against a 5‐star forest ecosystem target, with little indication improvements from adaptive management. Two‐thirds indicator plants significantly under‐represented early‐stage declined age. Most plant species effectively absent, including key structural species. Invasive native legumes persistently overabundant. Time required maturation tree will prevent production fundamental features well over century (e.g. hollows fallen logs), inhibiting functional fauna return (reptiles, bats, conservation priority cockatoos particular). different outcome compared previous assessments is due age assessed assumptions that success indicate on correct, prolonged trajectory toward full ecological restoration. However, assessment methods did not consider many metrics standards, nor accurately predict future trajectory. In particluar, initial richness (the only measure biodiversity company's completion criteria) reflect quality. These substandard outcomes may result removing deep, multi‐layered bauxitic substrate which evolved establishing shallow topsoil more homogenized, impervious substrate. This study demonstrates value robust, adaptable multi‐factor framework methodology evaluate outcomes.

Language: Английский

Management practices, local habitat features, and landcover associated with Scarab and Carabid beetle occupancy and abundance in restored grasslands

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 7, 2024

Restoration and conservation of grasslands is necessary to retain ecosystem services grassland biodiversity. However, restoration often focus on plant communities do not take ecologically important animal taxa, such as insects, into account. We investigated how occupancy probabilities beetles in the families Scarabaeidae Carabidae were related management practices, local landcover, habitat features a degraded system, Black Belt Prairie. collected from 24 sites analyzed species detection/non-detection data family-level abundance with Bayesian hierarchical models. Vegetation diversity, burn frequency, agricultural disturbed landcover positively associated probability, while urban was negatively consistent results previous studies. found variations species’ requirements leading positive relationships basal area years since last for some morphospecies negative these covariates other morphospecies. Our literature indicate variable responses seeded versus unseeded restoration, highlighting subject where increased understanding could advance efforts. Solenopsis invicta has direct relationship insect communities; there been debate about whether effect S. due or correlated disturbance event. study advances associations insects an understudied ecoregion, which can inform Prairies generally.

Language: Английский