Challenges and opportunities for grassland restoration: A global perspective of best practices in the era of climate change

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 46, P. e02612 - e02612

Published: Aug. 22, 2023

Grasslands are ubiquitous globally, and their conservation restoration critical to combat both the biodiversity climate crises. There is increasing interest in implementing effective multifunctional grassland restore concomitant with above- belowground carbon sequestration, delivery of credits and/or integration land dedicated solar panels. Other common considerations include improved forage value, erosion control, water management, pollinator services, wildlife habitat provisioning. In addition, many grasslands global hotspots. Nonetheless, relative impact, as compared forests, importance preservation, conservation, has been widely overlooked due subtle physiognomy underappreciated contributions human planetary well-being. Ultimately, success sequestration will depend on more complete ecosystem restoration. this review, supported by examples from across Western world, we call for strenuous unified development best practices three areas concern: initial site conditions preparation; implementation measures management; social context sustainability. For each area, identify primary challenges highlight case studies proven results derive successful generalizable solutions.

Language: Английский

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The Deep Soil Organic Carbon Response to Global Change

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 54(1), P. 375 - 401

Published: Aug. 22, 2023

Over 70% of soil organic carbon (SOC) is stored at a depth greater than 20 cm belowground. A portion this deep SOC actively cycles on annual to decadal timescales and sensitive global change. However, responses change likely differ from surface because biotic controls cycling become weaker as mineral predominate with depth. Here, we synthesize the current information drivers warming, shifting precipitation, elevated CO 2 , land use cover Most can only be hypothesized few studies measure soils, even fewer experiments manipulate soils. We call scientists incorporate soils into their manipulations, measurements, models so that response accounted for in projections nature-based climate solutions terrestrial feedbacks

Language: Английский

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Temperature-dependent variations in under-canopy herbaceous foliar diseases following shrub encroachment in grasslands

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Shrub encroachment into grasslands poses a global concern, impacting species biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Yet, the effect of shrub on herbaceous diseases dependence that climatic factors remain ambiguous. This study spans over 4,000 km, examining significant variability in temperature precipitation. Our findings reveal plant richness diminishes pathogen load foliar fungal plants both grassland patches. Temperature emerges as primary driver variations biomass within communities. Disparities between patches elucidate changes load. In colder regions, Conversely, warmer shrubs either do not reduce or even amplify These discoveries underscore necessity for adaptive management strategies tailored to specific scenarios. affects functioning, but its impact role unclear. finds regions may increase it with being these variations.

Language: Английский

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The fire regimes of the Cerrado and their changes through time

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

Published: April 1, 2025

The Brazilian Cerrado is a heterogeneous region of open ecosystems adapted to fire intermingled with patches woody growth-forms, high levels biodiversity and endemism. In recent decades, land conversion human activities have proliferated across the Cerrado, losing about half its original area. These changes, coupled climate change, are altering regimes uncertain, but possibly adverse, consequences for ecosystems. Here, we used burned area data characterize each cell on 30 km grid over spatially constrained hierarchical clustering approach delineate regions different in four consecutive 9-year periods between 1985 2020. Comparing 1985–1993 2012–2020, found substantial changes number shape regime regions, their characteristics. main factor differentiating these was level activity: some showed large, numerous frequent fires, while others small, few infrequent fires. We also identified north later peak season, characterized by small Finally, that activity southern areas substantially decreased, centre increased or remained time. This article part theme issue ‘Novel under influences: impacts, ecosystem responses feedbacks’.

Language: Английский

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Human impacts in African savannas are mediated by plant functional traits

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 220(1), P. 10 - 24

Published: May 28, 2018

Summary Tropical savannas have a ground cover dominated by C 4 grasses, with fire and herbivory constraining woody below rainfall‐based potential. The savanna biome covers 50% of the African continent, encompassing diverse ecosystems that include densely wooded Miombo woodlands Serengeti grasslands scattered trees. provide water, grazing browsing, food fuel for tens millions people, unique biodiversity supports wildlife tourism. However, human impacts are causing widespread accelerating degradation savannas. primary threats land cover‐change transformation, landscape fragmentation disrupts herbivore communities regimes, climate change rising atmospheric CO 2 . interactions among these poorly understood, unknown consequences ecosystem health livelihoods. We argue combinations plant functional traits characterizing major floristic assemblages make them differentially susceptible resilient to anthropogenic drivers change. Research must address how this diversity influences their vulnerability global elucidate mechanisms responsible. This knowledge will permit appropriate management strategies be developed maintain integrity,

Language: Английский

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