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

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2015, Номер 6(8), С. 1 - 25

Опубликована: Авг. 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.

Язык: Английский

---

The ecophysiology of seed persistence: a mechanistic view of the journey to germination or demise

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2014, Номер 90(1), С. 31 - 59

Опубликована: Март 12, 2014

ABSTRACT Seed persistence is the survival of seeds in environment once they have reached maturity. allows a species, population or genotype to survive long after death parent plants, thus distributing genetic diversity through time. The ability predict seed accurately critical inform long‐term weed management and flora rehabilitation programs, as well allow greater understanding plant community dynamics. Indeed, each 420000 seed‐bearing species has unique set characteristics that determine its propensity develop persistent soil bank. duration varies among populations, depends on physical physiological how are affected by biotic abiotic environment. An integrated ecophysiological mechanisms essential if we improve our can soils, both now under future climatic conditions. In this review present an holistic overview seed, climate, soil, other site factors contribute mechanistically persistence, incorporating physiological, biochemical ecological perspectives. We focus current knowledge traits influence longevity ex situ controlled storage conditions, explore inherent moderated changeable conditions , before dispersed. argue given any resistance exiting bank via germination death, exposure environmental conducive those fates. By synthesising affects when leave into resistance–exposure model, provide new framework for developing experimental modelling approaches will persist range environments.

Язык: Английский

---

A research agenda for seed‐trait functional ecology

New Phytologist, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 221(4), С. 1764 - 1775

Опубликована: Сен. 30, 2018

Summary Trait‐based approaches have improved our understanding of plant evolution, community assembly and ecosystem functioning. A major challenge for the upcoming decades is to understand functions evolution early life‐history traits, across levels organization ecological strategies. Although a variety seed traits are critical dispersal, persistence, germination timing seedling establishment, only mass has been considered systematically. Here we suggest broadening range morphological, physiological biochemical add new on niches, population dynamics assembly. The diversity provides an important that will require international collaboration in three areas research. First, present conceptual framework spectrum builds upon current niches. We then lay foundation seed‐trait functional network, establishment which underpin facilitate trait‐based inferences. Finally, anticipate novel insights challenges associated with incorporating diverse into predictive evolutionary ecology, ecology applied ecology. If invests standardized collection implementation rigorous databases, strides can be made at this exciting frontier

Язык: Английский

---

Regulation of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth by Chemical Signals from Burning Vegetation

Annual Review of Plant Biology, Год журнала: 2012, Номер 63(1), С. 107 - 130

Опубликована: Май 3, 2012

It is well known that burning of vegetation stimulates new plant growth and landscape regeneration. The discovery char smoke from such fires promote seed germination in many species indicates the presence chemical stimulants. Nitrogen oxides stimulate germination, but their importance post-fire has been questioned. Cyanohydrins have recently identified aqueous solutions shown to some through slow release cyanide. However, most information available for karrikins, a family butenolides related 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one. Karrikins influence seedling growth. They are active not normally associated with fire, Arabidopsis they require F-box protein MAX2, which also controls responses strigolactone hormones. We hypothesize similarity between karrikins strigolactones provided opportunity plants employ common signal transduction pathway respond both types compound, while tailoring specific developmental these distinct environmental signals.

Язык: Английский

---

Seed germination traits can contribute better to plant community ecology

Journal of Vegetation Science, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 27(3), С. 637 - 645

Опубликована: Янв. 4, 2016

Abstract Analyses of functional traits have become fundamental tools for understanding patterns and processes in plant community ecology. In this context, regenerative seed play an important, yet overlooked, role because they largely determine the ability plants to disperse re‐establish. A survey recent publications ecology suggests that germination particular are neglected at expense other relevant but overused based only on morphology. As a response bias, we discuss significance comparison with morphological biophysical traits, advocate their use vegetation science. We also demonstrate how research assembly, climate change restoration can benefit from inclusion encompassing functions cannot be explained solely by adult traits. Seed experiments conducted laboratory or field quantify these provide ecologically meaningful relatively easy‐to‐obtain information about properties communities. argue bridging gap between physiologists ecologists will improve prediction assemblages, propose further perspectives including into agenda ecologists.

Язык: Английский

---

Dormancy and germination: making every seed count in restoration

Restoration Ecology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 28(S3)

Опубликована: Фев. 20, 2020

From 50 to 90% of wild plant species worldwide produce seeds that are dormant upon maturity, with specific dormancy traits driven by species' occurrence geography, growth form, and genetic factors. While is a beneficial adaptation for intact natural systems, it can limit recruitment in restoration scenarios because may take several seasons lose consequently show low or erratic germination. During this time, seed predation, weed competition, soil erosion, viability loss lead re‐establishment failure. Understanding considering germination planning thus critical ensuring effective management use efficiency. There five known classes (physiological, physical, combinational, morphological, morphophysiological), each requiring cues alleviate enable The status be determined through series simple steps account initial quality assess across range environmental conditions. In article, we outline the classification process various corresponding methodologies ex situ alleviation. We also highlight importance record‐keeping reporting accession information (e.g. geographic coordinates collection location, cleaning information, storage conditions, testing data) ensure these factors adequately considered planning.

Язык: Английский

---

Fire‐released seed dormancy ‐ a global synthesis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 97(4), С. 1612 - 1639

Опубликована: Апрель 6, 2022

ABSTRACT Seed dormancy varies greatly between species, clades, communities, and regions. We propose that fireprone ecosystems create ideal conditions for the selection of seed as fire provides a mechanism release postfire are optimal germination. Thus, fire‐released should vary in type abundance under different regimes. To test these predictions, we compiled data from wide range fire‐related germination experiments species across globe. identified four syndromes: heat‐released (physical) dormancy, smoke‐released (physiological) non‐fire‐released non‐dormancy. In ecosystems, fire, form heat and/or chemical by‐products (collectively termed ‘smoke’), predominant stimuli subsequent germination, with climate (cold or warm stratification) light sometimes playing important secondary roles. Fire (heat smoke)‐released is best expressed where woody vegetation dense fires intense, i.e. crown‐fire ecosystems. such environments, allows shade‐intolerant to take advantage gaps created by synchronize recruitment conditions. grassy (e.g. savannas), less intense but more frequent, common often not directly related (non‐fire‐released dormancy). Rates whether controls postfire, twice fast savannas than mediterranean Fire‐released rare absent arid rainforests. The seeds many also possess elaiosomes promote ant dispersal. Burial ants increases insulation places them suitable location dormancy. distribution syndromes plants random – certain types associated particular lineages (phylogenetic conservatism). Heat‐released can be traced back floras ‘fiery’ mid‐Cretaceous, followed loss among recent events advent open non‐fireprone habitats. Anthropogenic influences now modifying dormancy‐release mechanisms, usually decreasing role exaptive effects. conclude contrasting regimes key driver evolution maintenance diverse world's natural

Язык: Английский

---

Seed bank persistence and climate change

Seed Science Research, Год журнала: 2012, Номер 22(S1), С. S53 - S60

Опубликована: Янв. 5, 2012

The strong mechanistic relationship between climatic factors and seed dormancy germination suggests that forecast changes will significantly affect bank persistence. This review focuses on the potential impact of changing temperature, rainfall fire regimes longevity long-term persistent seed-banks. Currently, there are few studies investigating responses demographic processes, such as seed-bank dynamics, to climate change. However, from work has been published, several key points have highlighted. First, increased air temperatures produce higher soil in open sparsely vegetated habitats. Some evidence shows this could accelerate decline viability compromise bet-hedging strategies species dryland regions. Second, season may determine relative success recruitment, with lower levels producing net losses longevity. Finally, likely frequency, compromising persistence plant populations dependent long-lived banks. Improving our understanding both response adaptive capacity banks change provide a solid basis for improved predictions future distributions risk extinction, particularly ecosystems subjected temporally stochastic disturbances. It is necessary develop functional groups based life-history trait environmental conditions, enable broader-scale distribution future.

Язык: Английский

---

A framework for the practical science necessary to restore sustainable, resilient, and biodiverse ecosystems

Restoration Ecology, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 25(4), С. 605 - 617

Опубликована: Дек. 15, 2016

Abstract Demand for restoration of resilient, self‐sustaining, and biodiverse natural ecosystems as a conservation measure is increasing globally; however, efforts frequently fail to meet standards appropriate this objective. Achieving these requires management underpinned by input from diverse scientific disciplines including ecology, biotechnology, engineering, soil science, ecophysiology, genetics. Despite research activity, gap between the immediate needs practitioners outputs science often limits effectiveness programs. Regrettably, studies identify practical issues most critical success. We propose that part oversight may result absence considered statement necessary questions. Here we develop comprehensive framework required bridge guide effective restoration. structure questions in five themes: (1) setting targets planning success, (2) sourcing biological material, (3) optimizing establishment, (4) facilitating growth survival, (5) restoring resilience, sustainability, landscape integration. This will assist scientists knowledge gaps strategic focused on applied outcomes. The breadth highlights importance cross‐discipline collaboration among scientists, while program broad, successful projects have typically invested many or themes. ecology's goal averting biodiversity losses vast challenge: investment urgently needed ecological fulfill its potential demand tool.

Язык: Английский

---

Temperature thresholds of physically dormant seeds and plant functional response to fire: variation among species and relative impact of climate change

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2014, Номер 4(5), С. 656 - 671

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2014

Variation in dormancy thresholds among species is rarely studied but may provide a basis to better understand the mechanisms controlling population persistence. Incorporating dormancy-breaking temperature into existing trait frameworks could improve predictions regarding seed bank persistence, and subsequently resilience response fire, climate change anthropogenic management. A key ecological strategy for many from fire-prone ecosystems possession of long-lived bank, ensuring recovery after fire. Physical dominant these maintaining this directly linked We identified suite seed-related factors relevant populations regions 14 co-occurring physically dormant species. measured variation initial levels then applied experimental heating treatments, based on current seasonal temperatures those occurring during fires, seeds all study Additionally, higher treatments were assess projected under future scenarios. Levels germination mortality determined how tightly was bound either fire or cues. Six found have cues that only occur fires (80°C above) grouped as having obligate pyrogenic release. The remaining species, classified facultative dormancy, had lower committed at least 30% germinate summer-temperature treatments. Evidence supports including an attribute identifying functional types. High breaking our group, appear be fire-adapted trait, while we predict group are most risk increased decay resulting elevated soil change.

Язык: Английский

---