Ecological restoration in the age of apocalypse

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(17), P. 4706 - 4710

Published: June 13, 2023

Billions of dollars are spent annually on ecological restoration efforts around the world and yet successful attainment targets still falls short in many regions. Globally, ecosystem is becoming increasingly challenged with changes climate. Years extreme climatic events that limit plant establishment, such as severe drought, heatwaves, floods projected to increase frequency. A critical evaluation current practices those needed attain global targets. For restoration, globally focus planting a single year following disturbance. The odds being conducted inconducive establishment may be calculated using risk data. We propose risk-mitigation approach wherein plantings across multiple years for projects bet-hedging strategy evaluated through an adaptive management approach.

Language: Английский

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The urgency of building soils for Middle Eastern and North African countries: Economic, environmental, and health solutions

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 917, P. 170529 - 170529

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Soil degradation is a short or long ongoing process that limits ecosystem services. Intensive land use, water scarcity, disturbance, and global climate change have reduced the quality of soils worldwide. This directly threatens most in Middle East North Africa, while remaining areas are at high risk further desertification. Rehabilitation control these damaged environments essential to avoid negative effects on human well-being (e.g., poverty, food insecurity, wars, etc.). Here we review constructed involving use waste materials as solution soil present approaches address erosion, organic matter oxidation, scarcity salinization. Our analysis showed potential for using complimentary reclamation addition traditional ones. Constructed could ability overcome limitations existing solutions tackle contributing management problems. These facilitate provision multiple services particularly challenging problems semi dry climates.

Language: Английский

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Putting seed traits into pellets: Using seed mass data to improve seed encapsulation technology for native plant revegetation

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(4), P. 847 - 858

Published: Feb. 23, 2024

Abstract Poor seedling emergence often limits the success of direct seeding in ecological restoration. New techniques for maximising seed use efficiency and are needed to help meet global targets nature repair UN Decade on Restoration. Extruded pellets widely used agriculture represent a promising advancement seed‐based However, extruded must be optimised diverse suites native species that possess range sizes morphotypes. We investigated how mass affects performance plant seeds (total % emergence) when encapsulated designed revegetation. Two glasshouse trials were undertaken using from 30 Australian species. In Trial 1, we centre determined relationship between emergence. 2, nearer periphery whether position (central vs. peripheral) affected subset 10 small‐seeded both trials, was compared an optimal, bare‐seeded control identify any barriers encapsulation under well‐watered conditions. centrally encapsulated, generally higher controls relative pelleted seeds. predicted pellet ( R 2 = 0.32, p 0.002), such larger‐seeded tended have than smaller‐seeded encapsulating (relative centre) resulted average 28‐fold increase all For half trialled, equivalent controls. Synthesis applications : Collectively, our results demonstrate: (1) positive central‐encapsulation, (2) can significantly improved positioned periphery. Translation these findings into practice optimise outcomes with different sized nuanced germination requirements.

Language: Английский

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Hay transfer is a nature-based and sustainable solution for restoring grassland biodiversity

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 311, P. 114816 - 114816

Published: March 3, 2022

As we enter the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, there is an increasing need for finding nature-based solutions restoration of grasslands across globe. Besides seed sowing, alternative methods that build locally available propagule sources, such as hay transfer, should also be considered and given high priority. The transfer from a donor site to serves double aim by introducing target species suppressing weeds. We tested applicability in restoring species-rich grassland former cropland Hungary, over six years post-restoration monitoring 2015 2020. sampled plant composition three sites (target state restoration) area surrounding site. found year after restoration, developed with 42 successfully established specialist had cover 45%. Most became second sixth year, but areas provided additional sources. Among eight analysed functional traits, mass transferred was best predictor establishment specialists, small-seeded advantage first restoration. Our results suggest can suitable solution local projects its potential utilized especially regions where are present sufficient quantity quality.

Language: Английский

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Seed traits inform the germination niche for biodiverse ecological restoration

Seed Science and Technology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 50(2), P. 103 - 124

Published: Aug. 5, 2022

Seeds are a primary source for generating plants large-scale restoration and understanding the requirements seed germination establishment is fundamental to ecological restoration. Seed traits central defining niche identifying that may limit seedling provides insights into how seeds interact with abiotic environment soil substrates specific each site informs management practices. In this paper we review trait data derived from research improve practice across diverse ecosystems within Western Australia. We compile evaluate up 300 collections of 287 species used in programmes identify species, lifeform, region-specific variation dormancy, maximum germination, speed, base water potential, breadth. Through synthesis data, outline our ecologically-guided approach key support plant regeneration success seed-based biodiverse Australian landscape.

Language: Английский

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The recovery of plant community composition following passive restoration across spatial scales

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 111(4), P. 814 - 829

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Abstract Human impacts have led to dramatic biodiversity change which can be highly scale‐dependent across space and time. A primary means manage these changes is via passive (here, the removal of disturbance) or active (management interventions) ecological restoration. The recovery biodiversity, following disturbance, often incomplete relative some kind reference target. magnitude systems disturbance depends on landscape matrix many contingent factors. Inferences about after depend temporal spatial scales at measured. We measured species composition over 33 years in 17 temperate grasslands abandoned agriculture different points time, collectively forming a chronosequence since abandonment from 1 80 years. compare sites with known agricultural land‐use histories never‐disturbed as benchmarks. specifically aspects diversity local plot‐scale (α‐scale, 0.5 m 2 ) site‐scale (γ‐scale, 10 ), well within‐site heterogeneity (β‐diversity) among‐site variation (turnover nestedness). At our α‐scale, recovering only had 70% plant richness (and ~30% evenness), compared never‐ploughed sites. Within‐site β‐diversity recovered around 90% This effect, however, was not enough lead γ‐scale. Richness ~65% that remnant presence characteristic increased through Forb legume cover declines abandonment, graminoid Synthesis. found that, during old fields did recover level any scale. more than α‐scale Plant recovered, but completely, groups their others. Patterns degraded ecosystems long time‐scales inform targeted restoration interventions perhaps, better outcomes.

Language: Английский

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The relative effectiveness of different grassland restoration methods: A systematic literature search and meta‐analysis

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(2)

Published: April 1, 2023

Abstract Active grassland restoration has gained importance in mitigating the dramatic decline of farmnland biodiversity. While there is evidence that such operations are generally effective promoting plant diversity, little known about effectiveness different methods applied. Restoration can differ intensity seed bed preparation, source and method application. In this systematic literature search meta‐analysis, we screened for studies mesic grasslands temperate Europe. We focused on active experiments included a treatment lasted more than 3 years. evaluated influence factors species richness relative to non‐restored controls. found 187 articles investigated outcome aimed at actively restoring grasslands. Most plants, with only 9.6% dealing other organisms (e.g. beetles, pollinating insects). Many papers had be excluded due incomplete data, too short study duration and/or lack an adequate control. This resulted 13 fulfilling our criteria inclusion, yielding total 56 data points meta‐analysis. actions increased by, average, 17.4%, compared The explained significant amount variation richness: seeds originating from speciose donor positive effect. effect was even enhanced when combined commercial mix, whereas mixes alone no did not observe any factors, as type preparation or application method. A seed‐source obtained species‐rich seems key efficient Even though should preferred over seeds, associating natural increases richness. further revealed two major research gaps ecology: deficit long‐term investigations well focusing non‐plant organisms.

Language: Английский

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Shorebirds-driven trophic cascade helps restore coastal wetland multifunctionality

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 6, 2023

Abstract Ecosystem restoration has traditionally focused on re-establishing vegetation and other foundation species at basal trophic levels, with mixed outcomes. Here, we show that threatened shorebirds could be important to restoring coastal wetland multifunctionality. We carried out surveys manipulative field experiments in a region along the Yellow Sea affected by invasive cordgrass Spartina alterniflora . found planting native plants alone failed restore multifunctionality experiment. Shorebird exclusion weakened multifunctionality, whereas mimicking higher predation before shorebird population declines excluding their key prey – crab grazers enhanced The mechanism underlying these effects is simple cascade, whereby control otherwise suppress recovery destabilize sediments (via bioturbation). Our findings suggest harnessing top-down of through habitat conservation, rewilding, or temporary simulation consumptive non-consumptive should explored as nature-based solution degraded wetlands.

Language: Английский

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The effects of seed enhancements on plant establishment in native grasses: A meta‐analysis

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(2)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Questions Native grasses are widespread with high commercial value and demand across the restoration sector, though their uptake is often hampered by seed‐use challenges. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs) provide a valuable tool for improving plant establishment outcomes species (such as native grasses) where seed‐based approaches essential to achieve large‐scale targets. However, due increased investment in resources time associated application of SETs, adoption dependent on ability these treatments consistently benefits one or more demographic life stages, particularly under field conditions. This meta‐analysis addresses following research question: what overall effects SETs compared untreated florets seeds globally? Location Global. Methods The six major SET categories (acid treatment, coating, pelleting, flash flaming, priming, treatment combinations) germination, emergence, shoot root length biomass were explored. Furthermore, consistency study types (i.e., laboratory, glasshouse, field) was investigated. Results this positive germination (16% improvement), emergence (22% growth (6.42–8.86 cm 2.26–2.77 g increase seedling biomass, respectively). ranged from neutral when data grouped type, pelleting priming delivering consistent multiple acid treatments, combination having mixed effects. analysis also provided evidence that observed laboratory glasshouse studies not translating environments. Conclusions Overall, generally had can therefore relatively low‐risk approach grasses. Continued focussed long‐term environments needed further advance uptake.

Language: Английский

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Integrating ecological feedbacks across scales and levels of organization

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 30, 2024

In ecosystems, species interact in various ways with other species, and their local environment. addition, ecosystems are coupled space by diverse types of flows. From these links connecting different ecological entities can emerge circular pathways indirect effects: feedback loops. This contributes to creating a nested set feedbacks operating at organizational levels as well spatial temporal scales systems: organisms modifying being affected abiotic environment, demographic behavioral within populations communities, occurring the landscape scale. Here, we review how vary time, discuss emergent properties they generate such coexistence or heterogeneity stability systems. With aim identifying similarities across scales, identify biotic modulators that change sign strength loops show time. Our shows despite acting emerging from processes, similar macroscopic systems organization. Ultimately, our contribution emphasizes need integrate improve understanding joint effects on dynamics, patterns,

Language: Английский

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