Ancient grasslands guide ambitious goals in grassland restoration

Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 377(6606), P. 594 - 598

Published: Aug. 4, 2022

Grasslands, which constitute almost 40% of the terrestrial biosphere, provide habitat for a great diversity animals and plants contribute to livelihoods more than 1 billion people worldwide. Whereas destruction degradation grasslands can occur rapidly, recent work indicates that complete recovery biodiversity essential functions occurs slowly or not at all. Grassland restoration-interventions speed guide this recovery-has received less attention restoration forested ecosystems, often due prevailing assumption are recently formed habitats reassemble quickly. Viewing grassland as long-term assembly toward old-growth endpoints, with appreciation feedbacks threshold shifts, will be crucial recognizing when how globally important ecosystem.

Language: Английский

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Systematic review of field research reveals critical shortfalls for restoration of tropical grassy biomes

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(6), P. 1174 - 1186

Published: March 30, 2024

Abstract Scientists and policymakers are becoming aware of the pressing need to restore tropical grassy biomes (TGB), which home unique biodiversity provide essential ecosystem services hundreds millions people. TGB face increasing threats, including forest‐ tree‐centric restoration approaches that promote their degradation we still lack a systematic assessment where how research has been done guide policy practice. We synthesized knowledge on field experiments by conducting literature review map studies, examine association techniques sources investigate diversity indicators used monitor outcomes. was concentrated at Brazilian Australian savannas, with large blindspots in Asia, Africa northern western South America. Studies were largely context‐dependent, an inconsistent usage different degradation. Less than half evaluated monitored consistently through time, often using low‐dimensional approach related functioning. Few studies manipulated fire, herbivores soils, key drivers for re‐establishment dynamics. Unfortunately, many lacked negative (degraded ecosystems), positive (reference ecosystems) controls, or both, impairing attempts robustly determine Our overview highlights needs improvement refine our ability assess, plan, implement restoration. Severe issues experimental designs data reporting identified as barriers find generality upscale meet goals UN Decade Ecosystem Restoration. Synthesis applications . synthesis calls enhanced experiments, transparent quantitative syntheses large‐scale The overall improving resilience measuring outcomes hampers meaningful comparisons between hinders synthetic views determining appropriate suitable monitoring indicators. To overcome scarcity reliable supporting restoration, propose simple checklist minimum information more complete multilingual standardized guidelines.

Language: Английский

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Soil properties and geomorphic processes influence vegetation composition, structure, and function in the Cerrado Domain

Plant and Soil, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 476(1-2), P. 549 - 588

Published: July 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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What is known about the germination of plant species from open wetlands in the Cerrado?

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

Published: Feb. 23, 2025

The open wetlands in the Cerrado are composed of herbaceous graminoid vegetation, growing under moist, acidic soils, rich organic matter. Their hydrological dynamics support a high diversity plants that adapted to fluctuating conditions water table, influenced by seasonal levels. This study conducted literature review evaluate current understanding germination, viability, storage, and dormancy most abundant plant species Cerrado. We also investigated whether these currently being traded seed market. search yielded nine papers presenting data on coverage density. These studies encompassed 33 sites Cerrado, where 190 were abundant. Most (63%) found one site, indicating restricted distribution species. Moreover, it underscores successful wetland restoration must rely seeds from native local flora. identified 32 containing germination viability for only 46 (approximately 24%). Of these, 45 had laboratory available, while 11 evaluated field. In 2023, 12 marketed Seeds Networks. is confronted with significant challenges, including availability non‐tree trade market dearth knowledge regarding ecological characteristics

Language: Английский

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Biome functioning and bioindicators

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 3 - 20

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Fire has contrasting effects on the survival, growth, and reproduction of Cerrado grasses with differing regenerative strategies

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

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Background Cerrado grasses are closely linked to fire, but the mechanisms underlying their responses poorly understood. Fire affects populations by altering vital rates, and different regenerative strategies likely influence as resprouting ability trades off with seeding investment. Specialist mostly occupy old‐growth habitats rely almost entirely on vegetative regeneration, suggesting potentially higher fire tolerance than habitat generalists that can colonize anthropized degraded due high Thus, we explored effect of one specialist ( Trachypogon spicatus ) two generalist Aristida riparia Schizachyrium microstachyum tussock grasses. Location Frequently burned grassland in Central Brazil. Methods We monitored rates 150 individuals/species (prescribed late‐dry‐season fire) unburned plots. Survival, resprouting, reproduction were assessed monthly for six months post‐fire then again 16 after fire. Tussocks measured size (area base) height changes structure. collected seed mass, fill, germination from literature. Results negatively affected grasses, increasing mortality (+12%), decreasing (50%), inhibiting flowering inflorescence production. The benefited burns, showing survival (97%), recovery pre‐fire structure, stimulated reproduction. Generalist species had a investment seeds (seed fill > 60%; 50%), while produced empty (88%) low (3%). Size was not related probability significantly increased reproductive output. Conclusions suggest could persist under very frequent fires (e.g., annual), given its robust recovery. Where this is restoration priority, it would benefit techniques promote regeneration rather direct seeding. Contrarily, less resilient require longer intervals allow population persistence.

Language: Английский

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Ten years of directing seeding restoration in the Brazilian savanna: Lessons learned and the way forward

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 365, P. 121576 - 121576

Published: July 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Restoration of subtropical grasslands degraded by non‐native pine plantations: effects of litter removal and hay transfer

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 31(4)

Published: Aug. 9, 2022

Pinus plantations create strong ecological legacies that persist after their removal. We evaluated the effectiveness of pine litter removal (manually or through controlled burns) and hay application for restoration South Brazilian coastal grasslands degraded by plantations. installed experiment 1 year cutting trees sampled vegetation 3 months, year, 2 years initiating experiment. used generalized linear mixed model to assess treatment effects on plant cover, richness, reestablishment. nonmetric multidimensional scaling indicator species analysis evaluate changes in composition over time association individual with treatments reference area. Species richness cover did not differ between manual burn but were higher than control. Hay enhanced end all treatments. initially, effect persisted only treatment. Burned plots showed less establishment Hay‐addition contained present Our results suggest passive (i.e. pine) is sufficient restore altered afforestation, as residual constrains reestablishment native vegetation. In addition benefits removal, our indicate transfer can overcome seed limitation grassland burning reduce recolonization pine.

Language: Английский

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Toward diverse seed sourcing to upscale ecological restoration in the Brazilian Cerrado

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Nov. 24, 2022

Seed markets are vital to scaling up ecosystem restoration in the Brazilian Cerrado , home of world’s most species-rich grasslands and savannas. We compiled lists species traded by four major seed supply systems investigate representativeness currently available for seed-based restoration. also identified whether dominant ground-layer being sourced production. Seeds from 263 can be purchased restoration, which 68% trees, particularly legumes (24%). 63% were found only one system. The five graminoids ground layer sale, but two additional uncommon old-growth areas represented 44% sales a key trader Central Brazil. expansion should supported further increase number on market. Sourcing seeds diversity herbaceous is central facilitating savannas . Recovering functioning open ecosystems through will depend increasing demand typical ’s layer.

Language: Английский

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Abandoned pastures and restored savannas have distinct patterns of plant–soil feedback and nutrient cycling compared with native Brazilian savannas

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 59(7), P. 1863 - 1873

Published: May 5, 2022

Abstract Around 40% of the original Brazilian savanna territory is occupied by pastures dominated fast‐growing exotic C 4 grasses, which impact ecosystem nutrient cycling. The restoration these areas depends on re‐establishment soil processes. We assessed how abandoned through direct seeding native species and land‐management practices (burning ploughing) affect cycling dynamics compared with savannas. activity enzymes related to carbon, nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) as well microbial biomass chemical properties (pH concentration N, P, potassium [K] organic matter) among pastures, restored areas. Abandoned had faster turnover than savanna, slow‐growing species. This pattern was evident from overall higher biomass‐specific enzyme activities in savanna. Compared similar levels activities, but lower matter. low likely a reduced carbon due such burning ploughing, rather plant–soil feedback. immobilization nutrients retention areas, expected favour Synthesis application . Despite reducing resprouting germination grasses improving establishment short term, have major impacts community fertility. reduction matter content reduces fast ecosystem. may result long term. Future efforts should focus recovery communities ecosystems after practices. Therefore, consider greater restoring

Language: Английский

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