Reassessing the alternative ecosystem states proposition in the African savanna‐forest domain

New Phytologist, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 243(5), С. 1660 - 1669

Опубликована: Июль 9, 2024

Summary Ecologists are being challenged to predict how ecosystems will respond climate changes. According the Multi‐Colored World (MCW) hypothesis, impacts may not manifest because consumers such as fire and herbivory can override influence of on ecosystem state. One MCW interpretation is that determinism fails alternative states (AES) possible at some locations in space. We evaluated theoretical empirical evidence for proposition forest savanna AES Africa. found maps which infer where zones located were contradictory. Moreover, data from longitudinal experimental studies provide inconclusive AES. That is, although forest‐savanna theoretically sound, existing yet convincing. conclude by making case has fundamental consequences designing management actions mitigate adapt change savanna‐forest domain it needs a more robust base before used prescribe actions.

Язык: Английский

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Ancient engineers: The role of plateau pika in shaping ecological uniqueness and guiding plant diversity conservation in alpine grasslands

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 373, С. 124024 - 124024

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Effects of land use and management on the structure and recruitment of an endemic palm tree (Attalea pindobassu Bondar) from the Brazilian semi-arid

Journal for Nature Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 84, С. 126830 - 126830

Опубликована: Янв. 11, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Coastal wetland resilience through local, regional and global conservation

Опубликована: Янв. 15, 2025

Coastal wetlands, including tidal marshes, mangrove forests and flats, support the livelihoods of millions people. Understanding resilience coastal wetlands to increasing number intensity anthropogenic threats (such as habitat conversion, pollution, fishing climate change) can inform what conservation actions will be effective. In this Review, we synthesize their through lens scale. Over decades centuries, have unfolded across local, regional global scales, reducing both extent quality wetlands. The existing is driven by quality, which modulated physical conditions sediment supply) ecological species interactions operating from local scales). Protection restoration efforts, however, are often localized focus on future depend an improved understanding resilience, society's enhance different scales. important ecosystems around world under threat. This Review explores multiple drivers change priorities.

Язык: Английский

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Contrasting Effects of Increasing Invasive Crayfish Densities on Competing Submerged Macrophytes in Shallow Lakes

Freshwater Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 70(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Non‐native crayfish are among the most widespread aquatic invasive species worldwide. High densities of in lakes can potentially cause complete loss macrophytes through herbivory, physical destruction, shading by suspension sediments and nutrient release facilitating phytoplankton, thus altering ecosystem state functions. However, lower may affect different macrophyte ways, competition between with growth forms. We hypothesize that high completely destroy submerged communities shift systems into more turbid conditions whereas low promote low‐growing compete canopy‐forming species. To test these hypotheses, we applied three (2, 4, 8 m −2 ) Procambarus clarkii a control (no crayfish) to 36 mesocosms monocultures mixed stands for 60 days. measured concentrations nutrients, suspended solids, phytoplankton periphyton above‐ belowground biomass Vallisneria natans Hydrilla verticillata . In addition, conducted meta‐analysis impacts on compare effect sizes densities. Using data from published studies, derived relationship density crayfish‐induced reductions abundance. Our revealed significant decline increasing line existing caused strong both increased concentrations, sediment, favouring an conditions. Low medium reduced similarly monocultures. cultures, (2 H. than V. , supporting our hypothesis. This support occurred despite temporal facilitation biomass. results show impact invasions ecosystems is strongly dependent their density. facilitate increase likelihood collapse state. provide competitive advantage would otherwise be outcompeted Although eradication often impossible, management target have positive effects invaded ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Relative effects of seed mix design, consumer pressure, and edge proximity on community structure in restored prairies

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Abstract A central goal of ecosystem restoration is to promote diverse, native‐dominated plant communities. However, outcomes can be highly variable. One cause this variation may the decisions made during seed mix design process, such as choosing number species include (sown diversity) or locations each should sourced from (source diversity, manipulated affect genetic diversity). The effects that mixes have on communities further modified by other factors at site, including edge proximity and consumer pressure. Few studies evaluated both these attributes together, none done so while accounting for realistic site attributes. To address research need, we conducted a prairie experiment where two aspects diversity source (edge vertebrate granivore/herbivore access) were across 12 replicate fields. We found when impacted community structure, dependent access more prominent after one versus five growing seasons. Low plots had sown than high ones, but only consumers access. Similarly, low higher richness cover included in mixes, effect weakened over time. Additionally, with buffered typically detrimental edges consumers, although did not always result greater abundance. Unexpectedly, most those either perhaps due lower seeding rates reliably establishing species. Our results illustrate how influences restored contingent like edges,

Язык: Английский

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Summary of 3 Years of Reclamation Activity at the South Dakota Mines Geotechnical Living Laboratory

Опубликована: Фев. 27, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Shrubs as Nurse Species for Plant Communities in Arid Environments: A Case Study From Socotra Island (Yemen)

Journal of Vegetation Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 36(2)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Question Plant–plant facilitation is a critical ecological mechanism in arid environments, influencing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience globally. Shrubs often serve as nurse species, enhancing tree regeneration sheltering plant communities, particularly overgrazed or degraded habitats. In this study, we examine the role of shrubs species Socotra Archipelago (Yemen), hotspot which several endemic including iconic frankincense ( Boswellia spp.), myrrh Commiphora Socotran dragon's blood Dracaena cinnabari ) trees, are threatened. This largely due to lack natural caused by combined effects overgrazing goats, sheep, climatic events such extreme droughts cyclones. To aid conservation threatened trees regions, nature‐based solutions urgently needed help regeneration. Effective plants have potential, environments. We therefore examined thorny, poisonous, and/or unpalatable with focus on woody an insular context. Study Area The (Yemen) situated western Indian Ocean, east Horn Africa. It sanctuary UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Methods Vegetation surveys were conducted 144 paired plots under six common shrub adjacent open areas. Community data, environmental variables, functional traits analysed using RLQ fourth‐corner analyses, while Linear Mixed Models (LMMs) evaluated variables key based Weighted Means (CWMs). Facilitation quantified Relative Interaction Index (RII). Results Our analysis revealed significant variations composition between under‐canopy open‐area plots. Certain shrubs, Cebatha balfourii , facilitated significantly higher richness its canopy compared Elevation grazing pressure influenced these interactions, notable like occurrence legumes growth forms. Buxus hildebrandtii was less effective supporting richness, C. balfourii, Lycium sokotranum two Cissus exhibited positive facilitation. LMMs confirmed importance characteristics shaping community dynamics. Conclusions results highlight differences facilitative potential studied some showing stronger ability act shelters through microhabitat amelioration protection from herbivory. presence confirmed, diverse communities provides insights for strategies, sustainable management landscapes Island other Future efforts should leveraging mitigate pressures enhance restoration, particular conserve range‐restricted species.

Язык: Английский

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A roadmap for incorporating positive species interactions into Spartina alterniflora restoration designs

Wetlands Ecology and Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 33(2)

Опубликована: Март 14, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Moving biodiversity from an afterthought to a key outcome of forest restoration

Опубликована: Март 20, 2025

Язык: Английский

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