Evaluating Ecological Restoration Success: A Review of the Literature

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 21(5), P. 537 - 543

Published: May 28, 2013

Abstract Assessing the success of ecological restoration projects is critical to justify use in natural resource management and improve best practice. Although there are extensive discussions surrounding characteristics that define measure successful restoration, monitoring or evaluation practice widely thought have lagged behind. We conducted a literature review determine trends evaluations identify key knowledge gaps need be addressed. searched Web Knowledge plus two additional journals not found database for empirical papers assessed post‐implementation. quantified extent attributes success, including (vegetation structure, species diversity abundance, ecosystem functioning) socioeconomic, were addressed by these along with publication characteristics. Encouragingly, we number has grown substantially recent years. The increased age functions since previous reviews also positive development. Research still heavily skewed toward United States Australia, however, identifying an appropriate reference site needs further investigation. Of particular concern dearth identified search included any socioeconomic attributes. Focusing future research on quantifying services other outcomes essential understanding full benefits costs support its .

Language: Английский

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Combatting global grassland degradation

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2(10), P. 720 - 735

Published: Sept. 7, 2021

Language: Английский

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The cost and feasibility of marine coastal restoration

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 26(4), P. 1055 - 1074

Published: May 25, 2016

Land-use change in the coastal zone has led to worldwide degradation of marine ecosystems and a loss goods services they provide. Restoration is process assisting recovery an ecosystem that been degraded, damaged, or destroyed critical for habitats where natural hindered. Uncertainties about restoration cost feasibility can impede decisions on whether, what, how, where, how much restore. Here, we perform synthesis 235 studies with 954 observations from rehabilitation projects coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves, salt-marshes, oyster reefs worldwide, evaluate cost, survival restored organisms, project duration, area, techniques applied. Findings showed while median average reported costs one hectare habitat were around US$80000 (2010) US$1600000 (2010), respectively, real total (median) are likely be two four times higher. Coral seagrass among most expensive Mangrove typically largest least per hectare. Most conducted Australia, Europe, USA, significantly (up 30 times) cheaper countries developing economies. Community- volunteer-based usually have lower costs. Median often assessed only within first years after restoration, was highest saltmarshes (64.8%) (64.5%) lowest (38.0%). However, success rates scientific literature could biased towards publishing successes rather than failures. The majority short-lived seldom monitoring depended primarily ecosystem, site selection, applied money spent. We need enhanced investment both improving practices large-scale restoration.

Language: Английский

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Ecological restoration success is higher for natural regeneration than for active restoration in tropical forests

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 3(11)

Published: Nov. 3, 2017

Natural forest recovery is an effective ecological alternative to tree planting in tropical forests under certain conditions.

Language: Английский

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Committing to ecological restoration

Science, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 348(6235), P. 638 - 640

Published: May 7, 2015

Efforts around the globe need legal and policy clarification

Language: Английский

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A global meta-analysis on the ecological drivers of forest restoration success

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: May 19, 2016

Abstract Two billion ha have been identified globally for forest restoration. Our meta-analysis encompassing 221 study landscapes worldwide reveals restoration enhances biodiversity by 15–84% and vegetation structure 36–77%, compared with degraded ecosystems. For the first time, we identify main ecological drivers of success (defined as a return to reference condition, that is, old-growth forest) at both local landscape scale. These are follows: time elapsed since began, disturbance type context. The began strongly drives in secondary forests, but not selectively logged forests (which more ecologically similar systems). Landscape will be most successful when previous is less intensive habitat fragmented landscape. Restoration does result full recovery structure, can complement if there sufficient succession.

Language: Английский

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Faustian bargains? Restoration realities in the context of biodiversity offset policies

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 141 - 148

Published: July 18, 2012

Language: Английский

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Advances in restoration ecology: rising to the challenges of the coming decades

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 6(8), P. 1 - 25

Published: Aug. 1, 2015

Simultaneous environmental changes challenge biodiversity persistence and human wellbeing. The science practice of restoration ecology, in collaboration with other disciplines, can contribute to overcoming these challenges. This endeavor requires a solid conceptual foundation based empirical research which confronts, tests influences theoretical developments. We review developments ecology over the last 30 years. frame our context changing goals reflect increased societal awareness scale degradation recognition that inter‐disciplinary approaches are needed tackle problems. Restoration now encompasses facilitative interactions network dynamics, trophic cascades, above‐ belowground linkages. It operates non‐equilibrium, alternative states framework, at landscape scale, response environmental, economic social conditions. Progress has been marked by advances fields trait‐environment relationships, community assembly, understanding links between ecosystem functioning. Conceptual practical have enhanced applying evolving technologies, including treatments increase seed germination overcome recruitment bottlenecks, high throughput DNA sequencing elucidate soil structure function, satellite technology GPS tracking monitor habitat use. synthesis technologies systematic reviews dependencies success, model analyses consideration complex socio‐ecological systems will allow generalizations inform evidence interventions. Ongoing challenges include setting realistic, socially acceptable for under conditions, prioritizing actions an increasingly space‐competitive world. Ethical questions also surround use genetically modified material, translocations, taxon substitutions, de‐extinction, ecology. Addressing issues, as Ecological Society America looks its next century, require current future generations researchers practitioners, economists, engineers, philosophers, architects, scientists ecologists, work together communities governments rise coming decades.

Language: Английский

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Applying trait‐based models to achieve functional targets for theory‐driven ecological restoration

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 17(7), P. 771 - 784

Published: April 28, 2014

Abstract Manipulating community assemblages to achieve functional targets is a key component of restoring degraded ecosystems. The response‐and‐effect trait framework provides conceptual foundation for translating restoration goals into targets, but quantitative has been lacking species that practitioners can actually manipulate. This study describes new trait‐based models be used generate ranges abundances test theories about which traits, values and are most effective achieving outcomes. These generalisable, flexible tools widely applied across many terrestrial Examples illustrate how the generates indigenous (1) desired responses by applying environmental filtering, limiting similarity competitive hierarchies, or (2) effects on ecosystem functions mass ratios niche complementarity. Experimental applications this will advance our understanding set goals. A ecology with robust scaffold apply fundamental ecological theory maintain resilient functioning ecosystems in rapidly changing world.

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity and ecosystem services in forest ecosystems: a research agenda for applied forest ecology

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 54(1), P. 12 - 27

Published: May 9, 2016

Summary Given the substantial contributions of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services to society, sciences have a large potential contribute integrity sustainability our future. This is especially true when roles for sustaining are considered. The rapid expansion sustainable management ( SFM ) has resulted in adoption various frameworks intended safeguard biodiversity. Concurrently, importance been increasingly recognized. Although some initiatives aimed at conserving both emerging, knowledge gaps still exist about their relationships trade‐offs forests. recent advancements, increasing opportunities lags ecology, further research on biodiversity, functions will play development practices. Here, we identified key issues including (i) between function as foundation ecological integrity, (ii) resilience thinking better prepare adapt environmental changes, (iii) social–ecological perspectives that facilitate real‐world conservation (iv) theory‐driven restoration bridges science practice. Thus, illustrate priorities future possibilities applied ecology studies forests, which help society ecosystems build capacity face uncertainty changing environment. Synthesis applications . Under human influences, forests highly likely be largely altered, potentially leading emergence novel or alternative stable states. Management thus needs more flexible, measures address significant this generates. Resilience‐based approaches important respond adaptively changes cope with surprises, providing multiple options. challenges exist, theory should an role managing, restoring ecosystems. discussed here receive attention context goals management.

Language: Английский

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