Herbivory limits success of vegetation restoration globally

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 382(6670), P. 589 - 594

Published: Nov. 2, 2023

Restoring vegetation in degraded ecosystems is an increasingly common practice for promoting biodiversity and ecological function, but successful implementation hampered by incomplete understanding of the processes that limit restoration success. By synthesizing terrestrial aquatic studies globally (2594 experimental tests from 610 articles), we reveal substantial herbivore control under restoration. Herbivores at sites reduced abundance more strongly (by 89%, on average) than those relatively undegraded suppressed, rather fostered, plant diversity. These effects were particularly pronounced regions with higher temperatures lower precipitation. Excluding targeted herbivores temporarily or introducing their predators improved magnitudes similar to greater achieved managing competition facilitation. Thus, herbivory a promising strategy enhancing efforts.

Language: Английский

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Existing and emerging uses of drones in restoration ecology

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(9), P. 1899 - 1911

Published: June 26, 2022

Abstract In the absence of effective and scalable human intervention, up to 95% world's ecosystems will be affected by anthropogenic degradation 2050. Therefore, immediate large‐scale ecological restoration is imperative stem biodiversity loss ecosystem decline. Ecologists must draw upon most efficient tools available achieve successful goals. Drones (i.e., unmanned aerial vehicles) are a valuable set in environmental, forestry, agriculture sectors; however, there has been limited uptake ecology. Here, we aim highlight existing emerging uses drones science practice. We discuss strengths weaknesses these applications provide roadmap for increasing utilisation refine enhance objectives. Our article presented with continuum mind, including sections planning, implementation monitoring. also take novel approach describing how relate globally recognised tool published Society Ecological Restoration . used several scenarios from mapping habitats managing wildfires, monitoring effectiveness interventions. Many other disciplines can transferred scenarios. However, use context‐dependent, technical practical constraints need addressed. have considerable potential improve practice at all stages project, which vital realising goals UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Language: Английский

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Seed enhancement technologies for sustainable dryland restoration: Coating and scarification

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 904, P. 166150 - 166150

Published: Aug. 17, 2023

Language: Английский

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Revegetation through seeding or planting: A worldwide systematic map

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 337, P. 117713 - 117713

Published: March 21, 2023

Roughly 2 billion ha of land are degraded and in need ecological restoration worldwide. Active frequently involves revegetation, which leads to the dilemma whether conduct direct seeding or plant nursery-grown seedlings. The choice revegetation method can regulate survival performance, with economic implications that ultimately feed back our capacity restoration. We followed a peer-reviewed protocol develop systematic map collates, describes catalogues available studies on how compares planting achieving targets. compiled database characteristics all retrieved studies, be searched identify particular locations habitats, objectives restoration, material, technical aspects, outcomes measured. search was made eight languages 3355 publications, 178 were retained. identifies research gaps, such as lack global South, tropical rainforests, covering long time period, represent opportunities expand field-based research. Additionally, many overlooked reporting important aspects seed provenance nursery cultivation methods, others watering seedling protection more applied for than seeding, limits learn from past Most measured related target plants but avoided measuring general aspects. This represents relevant gap research, is greatly based achievement goals goes beyond establishment plants. Finally, we identified substantial volume conducted temperate regions over short periods (0-5 y). cluster calls future in-depth synthesis, potentially through meta-analysis, reveal overall balance between assess response this question mediated by species traits, environmental characteristics, Besides identifying clusters allows managers find most scientific literature appropriateness vs. conditions, certain habitats.

Language: Английский

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A recruitment niche framework for improving seed‐based restoration

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 31(7)

Published: July 12, 2023

As larger tracts of land experience degradation, seed‐based restoration (SBR) will be a primary tool to reestablish vegetation and ecosystem function. SBR has advanced in terms technical technological approaches, yet plant recruitment remains major barrier some systems, notably drylands. There is an unmet opportunity test science‐based approaches seed mix design application, based not only on diversity or local provenance, but the unique strategies species. We lay out framework that uses quantitative representation species' niches match them targeted goals (e.g. drought invasion resistance) methods precision tools technologies) SBR. first describe how quantify niche with seedling traits tied observed responses environmental factors. then show quantified can serve as foundation address three challenges: (1) designing forward‐looking mixes increase resilience future climate disturbance, (2) accounting for natural recovery planning, (3) applying seeding practices maximize success. Finally, we demonstrate these ideas existing data discuss key challenges adoption practice. While this are ecological theory, they require substantial testing refinement by scientists engaged efforts. If integrated into research agendas, believe it potential unify advance diverse elements ecology improve outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Plant Strategies

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 27, 2023

Abstract Plants have evolved a remarkable array of adaptive solutions to the existential problem survival and reproduction in world where disturbances can be deadly, resources are scarce, competition is cutthroat. inherited phenotypic traits that increased their chance success, these indicators strategies for establishment survival. A plant strategy thought as “how species sustains population” (Westoby, 1998, p. 214) because all successful must positive demographic outcomes habitats which they adapted. This book aims articulate coherent framework studying unifies demography with functional ecology advance prediction ecology. Central this traits: heritable morphological, physiological, phenological attributes plants influence therefore drive fitness differences among species.

Language: Английский

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A global meta-analysis on the drivers of salt marsh planting success and implications for ecosystem services

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 29, 2024

Planting has been widely adopted to battle the loss of salt marshes and establish living shorelines. However, drivers success in marsh planting their ecological effects are poorly understood at global scale. Here, we assemble a database, encompassing 22,074 observations reported 210 studies, examine impacts planting. We show that, on average, 53% plantings survived globally, plant survival growth can be enhanced by careful design sites, species selection, novel planted technologies. enhances shoreline protection, primary productivity, soil carbon storage, biodiversity conservation fishery production (effect sizes = 0.61, 1.55, 0.21, 0.10 1.01, respectively), compared with degraded wetlands. ecosystem services marshes, except for have not yet fully recovered natural wetlands size -0.25, 95% CI -0.29, -0.22). Fortunately, levels most functions related climate change mitigation increase plantation age when wetlands, achieve equivalence after 5-25 years. Overall, our results suggest that could used as strategy enhance sequestration.

Language: Английский

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Facilitating comparable research in seedling functional ecology

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 464 - 476

Published: Jan. 19, 2024

Abstract Ecologists have worked to ascribe function the variation found in plant populations, communities and ecosystems across environments for at least past century. The vast body of research functional ecology has drastically improved understanding how individuals respond their environment, are assembled function. However, with limited exceptions, few studies quantified differences during earliest stages life cycle, fewer tested this early variability shapes ecosystems. Drawing from literature our collective experience, we describe current state knowledge seedling provide examples subdiscipline can enrich fundamental levels organisation. To inspire progressive work area, also outline key considerations involved (who, what, when, where measure traits) identify remaining challenges gaps around methodological approaches. Within conceptual synthesis, highlight three critical areas future target. First, given wide definition a ‘seedling’, standard based on seed reserve dependence while emphasising need ontogenetic more clearly both within following stage. Second, demonstrate that seedlings be studied multiple media (e.g. soil, agar, filter paper) conditions field, greenhouse, laboratory). We recommend researchers select methods explicit goals, yet follow guidelines reduce noise studies. Third, is critically needed assess implications different methodologies trait measurement compatibility By highlighting importance suggesting pathways address challenges, aim generates useful comparable data ecology. This explain among integrate most vulnerable stage into ecological frameworks.

Language: Английский

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Knowledge sharing for shared success in the decade on ecosystem restoration

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Abstract The Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to provide the means and incentives for upscaling restoration efforts worldwide. Although ecosystem is a broad, interdisciplinary concept, effective ecological requires sound knowledge successfully restore biodiversity services in degraded landscapes. We emphasize critical role of data sharing inform synthesis most robust science possible. Such helping ecologists better understand how context affects outcomes, increase predictive capacity actions. This can help information evidence‐based decision‐making, scale‐up approaches meet ambitious targets restoration. advocate concerted effort collate species‐level, fine‐scale, community from studies across wide range environmental gradients. Well‐articulated associated metadata relevant experience social or landscape contexts further be used explain outcomes. These could carefully curated made openly available maximize sharing, enable flexible re‐use existing support responses detail integrated data, analysis via shared success ecology by identifying successful unsuccessful outcomes diverse systems scales. also discuss potential solutions overcome challenges with bringing together subfields practice. Sharing this directly actions improve Restoration.

Language: Английский

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Global change impacts on cacti (Cactaceae): current threats, challenges and conservation solutions

Annals of Botany, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 132(4), P. 671 - 683

Published: March 2, 2023

Abstract Background The plant family Cactaceae provides some of the most striking examples adaptive evolution, expressing undeniably spectacular New World radiation succulent plants distributed across arid and semi-arid regions Americas. Cacti are widely regarded for their cultural, economic ecological value, yet they also recognized as one threatened endangered taxonomic groups on planet. Scope This paper reviews current threats to species cacti that have distributions in subtropical regions. Our review focuses primarily four global change forces: (1) increases atmospheric CO2 concentrations; (2) mean annual temperatures heat waves; (3) duration, frequency intensity droughts; (4) competition wildfire from invasion by non-native species. We provide a broad range potential priorities solutions stemming extinction risk populations. Conclusions Mitigating ongoing emerging will require not only strong policy initiatives international cooperation, but new creative approaches conservation. These include determining at climate extremes, enhancing habitat quality after disturbance, opportunities ex situ conservation restoration, use forensic tools identifying been removed illegally wild sold open markets.

Language: Английский

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