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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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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Effects of revegetation approaches on wetland plant community reassembly under hydrologic extremes

Wetlands Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 33(1)

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Language: Английский

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Drivers of phenological transitions in the seedling life stage

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Abstract Plant functional ecology research has primarily focused on juvenile and adult plants even though regeneration from seed can be the most consequential life‐history bottleneck with cascading influence later stages of growth reproduction. Understandings relationships among phenology, morphology growth‐related traits have improved our knowledge plant strategies adaptive responses to changing climate. However, whether phenological morpho‐physiological exist during is unknown. We also lack understanding relative importance these compared those phenology other factors like phylogeny, geographic location a species native or non‐native location. To better understand gaps in knowledge, we evaluated three (days germination, first third true leaves) six (seed mass, rate, root elongation root: shoot ratio, specific leaf area seedling C:N) associated for 131 forb globally distributed grasslands. Morpho‐physiological showed several significant correlations traits. Boosted regression trees revealed that their predicting varied (34%–51%). Interestingly, was comparable phylogeny (36%–46%). In general, faster phenologies produced seedlings grew faster. The strongest at germination (29%) decreased (8%–15%) stages. Native versus origin had little no impact (0%–2%) phenology. Strong between days indicate signatures local adaptation earliest life Similar trait values forbs imply matching may essential establishment. While associations not been previously recognized, results suggest are complex variable across regeneration. Better variation help capture shifts ongoing climate change used develop novel approaches seed‐based restoration. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Seed and seedling traits suggest ontogenetic coordination in the functional recruitment niche for dryland restoration species

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

Abstract Plant recruitment is shaped by functioning across seed and seedling stages. Because morphology germination directly influence exposure to resources environment, these two stages may be linked through trait synergies trade‐offs that coordinate early ontogeny. However, the wide range of traits impacting environmental response at each ontogenetic stage are rarely explored in tandem understand potential dimensionality functional niche. We covariation among 13 stress tolerance, rate or growth, light response, temperature other functions for 49 species found semi‐arid rangelands. Using phylogenetically informed ordination cluster analysis, we asked how multiple shapes The first dimensions identified separate aligned, providing some basis coordination during recruitment. Morphological reflecting size‐related tolerance (i.e. mass) formed strongest foundation stages, sharing ties with (specific leaf area), growth (root elongation) (e.g. minimum temperature). also observed an unexpected trade‐off seeds seedlings avoid risk (through dormancy) tolerate root investment), respectively. In contrast, thresholds were not tightly analogous Their independence could expand niche depending on significance field. Synthesis . Seed characterized multiple, independent functioning, but moderate increasing as a wider breadth together. At same time, physiological appear less connected complexify spatiotemporal dynamics. Both coordinated aspects here deserve exploration broader species, environments full

Language: Английский

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Collaborative agent-based modeling for managing shrub encroachment in an Afroalpine grassland

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 316, P. 115040 - 115040

Published: May 17, 2022

Language: Английский

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Integrating ontogeny and ontogenetic dependency into community assembly

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 111(7), P. 1561 - 1574

Published: May 26, 2023

Abstract Many studies of community assembly focus on a single ontogenetic stage (typically adults) when trying to infer processes from patterns biodiversity. This ignores the finding that mechanisms may strongly differ between life‐stages, and role dependency: by which one life directly affects composition another stage. Within 4‐ha forest dynamics plot in California USA, we explored how relative importance multiple shifts across stages assessed dependency seedlings adults woody plant communities. To assess variation stages, examined β ‐diversity adult seedling communities were each influenced space 13 environmental variables (soils, topography) using distance‐based redundancy analysis partitioning. We then including as predictor found differences composition. For adults, 18 species pines, oaks manzanitas characteristic this mid‐elevation forest. seedlings, 11 species, made up 75% all while only making 45% adults. Adult was primarily explained (44.0%) with environment explaining 18.6% 37.4% unexplained. In contrast, most due alone (13.6% composition) 1.6% jointly, 62.8% Synthesis : Here, describe conceptual framework for integrating ontogeny more explicitly into research demonstrate different structured temperate dry While largely driven spatial processes, unexplained, comprising variation. These suggest future should consider their underlying shift ontogeny, interactions (ontogenetic dependency) are critical assessing processes.

Language: Английский

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Applying ecological principles to maximize resistance to invasion in restored plant communities

Ecological Engineering, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 190, P. 106926 - 106926

Published: Feb. 23, 2023

Considerable resources are spent worldwide to manage invasive plant species and preserve the integrity diversity of native or restored habitats communities. Here, we review empirical evidence identify relevant ecological principles practices that could guide community restoration when goal is prevent re-invasion after management an species. Our focus on North American freshwater tidal wetland communities invasion by Phragmites australis, but our findings apply design invasion-resistant for any invader. The emerge from this (1) seedling establishment P. australis provides a critical window limiting through resistance; (2) abiotic conditions modulate (3) resident do best they have head start invader; (4) competition similarity can help strengthen (5) functional enhance resistance complementarity effects; (6) propagule pressure invader seeding density interact determine success. We propose conceptual model synthesizes these as well decision tree in support field applications. Finally, conclude encouraging experiments encompass temporal spatial variability ecosystems test limits better applications of, generalization about, resistance.

Language: Английский

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Empirical tests of trait–function relationships are crucial for advancing trait‐based restoration: a response to Merchant et al. (2023)

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

Published: Aug. 13, 2024

Trait‐based restoration strategies are gaining significant attention in the scientific community. A recent article Restoration Ecology by Merchant et al. outlined four reasons why traits underused practice. In their response to paper, Gornish highlighted examples of how practitioners do, fact, use and made recommendations for researchers better engage with leverage existing knowledge. Here, we clarify a preeminent challenge either perspective: that continue lack empirical data needed develop apply effective trait‐based tools envisioned many researchers. Long‐term, spatially replicated studies designed address context‐dependency critical knowledge gaps. Co‐developing projects not only fosters more realistic relatable study designs but also increases likelihood adopting new methods, enabling long‐term research advances theory while improving local outcomes through accurate predictions.

Language: Английский

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