Collapse and recovery of livestock systems shape fire regimes on the Eurasian steppe: a review of ecosystem and biodiversity implications

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 380(1924)

Published: April 1, 2025

Shifts in fire regimes can trigger rapid changes ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. We synthesize evidence for patterns, causes consequences of recent change across the Eurasian steppes, a neglected global hotspot. Political economic turmoil following break-up Soviet Union 1991 triggered abrupt land abandonment over millions hectares collapse livestock populations. The build-up vegetation as fuel, rural depopulation deteriorating control led to increase size, area burned frequency. Fire were also driven by drought, but likely only after fuel had accumulated. Increased disturbance resulted grass encroachment, homogenization decreasing plant species diversity. Feedback loops due high flammability likely. Direct carry-on effects on birds, keystone small mammals insects largely negative. Nutrient cycling carbon balance changed, these have yet be quantified. regime large frequent fires persisted until ca 2010 shifted back more grazing-controlled populations recovered, reinforced increasing precipitation. Key future research topics include climate change, changing pyrodiversity pyric herbivory resilience. Ongoing steppe restoration rewilding efforts, integrated management will benefit from better understanding regimes. This article is part theme issue ‘Novel under human influences: impacts, responses feedbacks’.

Language: Английский

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Herbaceous production lost to tree encroachment in United States rangelands

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 59(12), P. 2971 - 2982

Published: Oct. 18, 2022

Abstract Rangelands of the United States provide ecosystem services that benefit society and rural economies. Native tree encroachment is often overlooked as a primary threat to rangelands due slow pace cover expansion positive public perception trees. Still, fragments these landscapes reduces herbaceous production, thereby threatening habitat quality for grassland wildlife economic sustainability animal agriculture. Recent innovations in satellite remote sensing permit tracking corresponding impact on production. We analysed change production across western from 1990 2019. show widespread US rangelands; absolute has increased by 50% (77,323 km 2 ) over 30 years, with more than 25% (684,852 rangeland area experiencing expansion. Since 1990, 302 ± Tg biomass have been lost. Accounting variability livestock utilization forage value reveals this lost valued at between $4.1–$5.6 billion dollars. Synthesis applications . The magnitude loss similar conversion cropland, another well‐known mechanism Prioritizing conservation efforts prevent can bolster sustainability, particularly among privately‐owned lands threatened land‐use conversion.

Language: Английский

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Ecological Grassland Restoration—A South African Perspective

Land, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11(4), P. 575 - 575

Published: April 14, 2022

The principal drivers of Grassland Biome conversion and degradation in South Africa include agricultural intensification, plantation forestry, urban expansion mining, together with invasive non-native plants insidious rural sprawl. This biome is poorly conserved dire need restoration, an ecologically centred practice gaining increasing traction given its wide application to people biodiversity this emerging culture renewal. pioneering proponent restoration the mining industry, primarily restore surface stability using vegetation cover. We noticed a historical progression from production-focussed pastures more diverse suites native species habitats landscape. paradigm shift towards proactive “biodiversity approach” necessitates assisted natural regeneration, mainly through revegetation grasses, plugs, sods and/or seeds, long-lived perennial forbs. discuss key management interventions such as ongoing control plants, merits fire grazing, deleterious impacts fertilisers. also highlight areas research requiring further investigation. has limitations best suited restoring ecological processes rather than attempting match original pristine state. advocate conserving intact grassland ecosystems strategy for protecting biodiversity, including small patches disproportionately high conservation value.

Language: Английский

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Using airborne and DESIS imaging spectroscopy to map plant diversity across the largest contiguous tract of tallgrass prairie on earth

Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 281, P. 113254 - 113254

Published: Sept. 21, 2022

Grassland ecosystems are under threat globally, primarily due to land-use and land-cover changes that have adversely affected their biodiversity. Given the negative ecological impacts of biodiversity loss in grasslands, there is an urgent need for developing operational monitoring system functions these ecosystems. In this paper, we assessed capability airborne spaceborne imaging spectroscopy (also known as hyperspectral imaging) capture plant α-diversity a large naturally-assembled grassland while considering impact common management practices, specifically prescribed fire. We collected robust in-situ diversity data set, including species composition percent cover from 2500 sampling points with different burn ages, recently-burned transitional pre-prescribed fire at Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Oklahoma, USA. expressed using first three Hill numbers, richness (number observed community), exponential Shannon entropy index (hereafter diversity; effective number species, where weighed proportional cover), inverse Simpson concentration dominant more weight given species) four plot sizes, 60 m × m, 120 180 240 m. full-range fine spatial resolution (1 m) visible near-infrared DESIS sensor coarse (30 m), used spectral hypothesis—i.e., variability largely driven by diversity—to estimate remotely. plots those stage, both were capable capturing diversity—a metric calculates emphasizing abundant discounting rare species—but not or diversity. Further, neither nor sets plots. Based on results, main findings emerged: (1) practices influence patterns can be remotely detected, (2) fine- coarse-resolution remotely-sensed detect (e.g., diversity), (3) attention should site-specific field collection appropriately interpret remote sensing results. Findings study indicate feasibility estimating grasslands forthcoming imagers such National Aeronautics Space Administration's Surface Biology Geology mission.

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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Breaking the ESG rating divergence: An open geospatial framework for environmental scores

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 349, P. 119477 - 119477

Published: Nov. 7, 2023

Information about a company's environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance has become increasingly important in the decision-making process of financial institutions. The implications environmental challenges (e.g. water stress), negative impacts health local communities) or poor corporate breaching legislation) all continue to increase. Accordingly, there is need for institutions incorporate information on ESG risks, opportunities decisions that relate risk management, investments, credit, strategy, reporting. typically disseminated through ratings, which combine three constituents into single rating, ascribe them separate scores. compilation ratings identification appropriate data sources an inherently complex process; as such, no standard collection This led divergence underlying used by different rating providers, well determination factors are deemed worthy measurement first place. For example, when assessing impact, one provider may rely company-provided data, while another independent third-party assessments. Unfortunately, currently clear mechanism effectively resolving such disagreements establish standardised approach However, geospatial analyses offer several key advantages assessments, including consistency, potential enhanced accuracy, ability identify assess at detailed physical asset level, addition evaluating broader spatial context. By incorporating (obtained manually processing remotely sensed using existing products) methodologies can be improved, disparities addressed more effectively. would enable comprehensive understanding considerations promoting informed precise process. Within this context, few University Oxford, WWF, others) pioneering thought leadership around finance, assessment issues utilising intelligence, but consistent frameworks analysis. paper explores opportunity scoring framework, defining variety methods open with broad geographic coverage could incorporated analysis, generalisable range assets sectors. proposed framework organised two categories: localised effects, directly impact immediate vicinity asset, delocalised contribute global climate change atmospheric pollution. Sub-scores defined within these categories, capture both effects land use, biodiversity, soils, hydrology, resulting from emissions. approaches handling generate sub-scores final E-score presented, test case, complete methodology made available repositories.

Language: Английский

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Review of Conservation Challenges and Possible Solutions for Grassland Birds of the North American Great Plains

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 90, P. 165 - 185

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

North America's grassland birds remain in crisis despite decades of conservation efforts. This review provides an overview factors contributing to these declines, as well strategies and resources available a diversity stakeholders help conserve bird communities with emphasis on the Great Plains—a region global ecological significance habitat stronghold for birds. Grassland declines are driven by historical continuing threats across full annual cycle including loss, agriculture intensification, woody encroachment, disruption fire grazing regimes. More recently, energy development activities, use neonicotinoid pesticides, anthropogenic climate change have emerged additional threats. While numerous often synergistic, possibilities also diverse multifaceted. Land set-aside programs, incentives voluntary practices producers, improved environmental management utility companies, policy regulation can all contribute unique species. We suggest that future research should focus poorly studied aspects cycle, such overwinter survival use, migratory period, which remains completely unexplored many Filling knowledge gaps may facilitate more sophisticated population modeling identify limiting effectively guide investment conservation.

Language: Английский

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Trade‐offs in rooting strategy dimensions along an edaphic gradient in a grassland ecosystem

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(4), P. 792 - 807

Published: Feb. 2, 2024

Abstract Roots are essential to the diversity and functioning of plant communities, but trade‐offs in rooting strategies still poorly understood. We evaluated existing frameworks strategy tested their underlying assumptions, guided by hypothesis that community‐level best described a combination variation organ‐level traits, plant‐level root:shoot allocation symbiosis‐level mycorrhizal dependency. this using data on community structure, above‐ below‐ground biomass, eight root traits including colonisation soil properties from an edaphic gradient driven elevation water availability sandhills prairie, Nebraska, USA. found multidimensional represented two‐way productivity‐durability trade‐off axis (captured length density dry matter content) three‐way resource acquisition between specific length, mass ratio dependence. Variation was similar extents interspecific differences intraspecific responses properties. Organ‐level alone were insufficient capture across gradient. Instead, trait encompassing organ, symbiosis levels revealed consideration whole‐plant phenotypic integration is defining shaping functional systems. Read free Plain Language Summary for article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Spatial Variation in Transit Time Distributions of Groundwater Discharge to a Stream Overlying the Northern High Plains Aquifer, Nebraska, USA

Water Resources Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 60(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Groundwater transit time distributions (TTDs) describe the spectrum of flow‐weighted apparent ages groundwater from aquifer recharge to discharge. Regional‐scale TTDs in stream baseflow are often estimated numerical models with limited calibration sampling and suggest much younger discharge than has been observed by discrete age‐dating techniques. We investigate both local regional‐scale Upper Middle Loup watershed (5,440 km 2 ) overlying High Plains Aquifer Nebraska Sand Hills, USA. determined discharging through streambed at 88 points along a 99 groundwater‐dominated segment using 3 H, noble gases, 14 C, flux measurements point‐scale (<7.6 cm diameter). Points were organized transects across width (3–10 per transect) clustered five areas (10–610 m length) located increasing distances stream. ranged 0 8,200 years mean is >3,000 years. upstream best fit narrow range ages, but when older downstream included, regional TTD scale dependent distribution better described gamma model ( α ≈ 0.4) which accommodates large fractions millennial‐aged groundwater. Observations indicate: (a) can exhibit spatial variability within (b) watersheds larger old (>1,000 years) commonly assumed.

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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