Ecological Restoration Research Articles

Systematic conservation prioritization with the prioritizr R package.

Plans for expanding protected area systems (prioritizations) need to fulfill conservation objectives. They also need to account for other factors, such as economic feasibility and anthropogenic land-use requirements. Although prioritizations are often generated with decision support tools, most tools have limitations that hinder their use for decision-making. We outlined how the prioritizr R package (https://prioritizr.net) can be used for systematic conservation prioritization. This decision support tool provides a flexible interface to build conservation planning problems. It can leverage a variety of commercial (e.g., Gurobi) and open-source (e.g., CBC and SYMPHONY) exact algorithm solvers to identify optimal solutions in a short period. It is also compatible with a variety of spatially explicit (e.g., ESRI Shapefile, GeoTIFF) and nonspatial tabular (e.g., Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet) data formats. Additionally, it provides functionality for evaluating prioritizations, such as assessing the relative importance of different places selected by a prioritization. To showcase the prioritizr R package, we applied it to a case study based in Washington state (United States) for which we developed a prioritization to improve protected area coverage of native avifauna. We accounted for land acquisition costs, existing protected areas, places that might not be suitable for protected area establishment, and spatial fragmentation. We also conducted a benchmark analysis to examine the performance of different solvers. The prioritization identified 12,400km2 of priority areas for increasing the percentage of species' distributions covered by protected areas. Although open source and commercial solvers were able to quickly solve large-scale conservation planning problems, commercial solvers were required for complex, large-scale problems.. The prioritizr R package is available on the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN). In addition to reserve selection, it can inform habitat restoration, connectivity enhancement, and ecosystem service provisioning. It has been used in numerous conservation planning exercises to inform best practices and aid real-world decision-making.

Decoupling the effects of near-surface characteristic change on soil roughness in a dune-meadow cascade ecosystem

As an important indicator of ecological restoration, soil roughness changes exhibit a synergistic evolutionary relationship with near-surface characteristics such as soil and vegetation. However, the main controlling factors for changes in soil roughness in different ecosystems are still unclear. This study was conducted to clarify the changes in soil roughness in different ecosystems and to decouple and quantify the impact of near-surface characteristics on soil roughness in the Horqin Sandy Land (China). Soil roughness was measured using the structure-from-motion (SfM) technique, showing a pattern of farmland (14.08 mm) > semi-mobile dune (12.59 mm) > meadow (6.19 mm) > woodland (5.67 mm). Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed that the near-surface characteristics of the dune-meadow cascade ecosystem that explained soil roughness, in descending order of importance, were as follows: sand, soil moisture content (MC), silt, plant stem diameter (SD), clay, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), soil shear resistance (SC), litter thickness (LT), water-stable aggregates (WSA), litter density (LD) and bulk density (BD). Specifically, in the semi-mobile dune ecosystem, the order of total effects on soil roughness was as follows: sand (1.311) > pH (0.447) > clay (0.387). In the woodland ecosystem, SC (0.226), pH (|-0.216|), and LD (0.179) were important factors controlling soil roughness. In the farmland ecosystem, MC (0.380), LT (|-0.378|), and SOM (|-0.336|) were the main controlling factors of soil roughness. In the meadow ecosystem, silt (0.574), SOM (|-0.413|), and clay (|-0.380|) significantly influenced soil roughness. Compared to other machine learning models and stepwise regression models, the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) model could predict soil roughness changes more accurately. The findings of this research are of great significance for ecological restoration and sustainable development of the ecologically fragile areas in northern China.

Site-based climate-smart tree species selection for forestation under climate change

Global climate change threatens ecosystem functions and resilience, prompting large-scale planting initiatives to mitigate its impacts. To ensure new plantations are adaptive to future climates, it is crucial to consider climate mismatches resulting from climate change when selecting tree species. However, current research is all species-based, which is not effective for species selection across species at specific plantation sites. Our research developed a novel site-based approach that can identify optimal tree species for specific planting sites under projected future climates. We evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of this method across 10 representative sites in diverse climatic zones in China based on climate niche projections for 100 key tree species. Our findings demonstrated the necessity and effectiveness of this approach, which can select a suit of suitable tree species tailored for any potential planting site across China under different climate change scenarios. For instance, at Tibet Dongjiu Forest farm, Aibes densa and Quercus pannosa currently showed high suitability scores above 0.8 (on a scale of 0–1). However, by the 2080s, Aibes densa's suitability was projected to drop to 0.25, while Quercus pannosa was expected to maintain its suitability. Conversely, Quercus aquifolioides currently had a low suitability of 0.08, but it was projected to increase to 0.74 by the 2080s. These findings demonstrate the importance of using this approach to avoid selecting the wrong species or overlooking potentially suitable species. In addition, our simulation analysis suggests that a dataset of 40–50 species is necessary to ensure that most planting sites can identify 2–3 suitable species. This advancement significantly enhances the precision and effectiveness of tree species selection strategies for local practitioners, offering vital insights for forestry, conservation, and ecological restoration projects. These results highlight the tremendous potential and practical applicability of our site-based approach in enhancing forestry adaptation and ecological functions in response to global climate change.

Native seed mix richness impacts revegetation of reclaimed land

Interest in using native plant species for land reclamation and ecological restoration continues to increase. Yet sufficient knowledge of characteristics of native species for revegetation, specifically their response in field settings, continues to lag. Thus our study was conducted to determine whether the richness of native seed mixes impacted plant community development following reclamation in the Aspen Parkland ecoregion of Alberta, Canada. Four seed mixes were used: mix I with 6 grasses, mix II with 10 grasses, mix III with 6 grasses and 10 forbs, and mix IV with 10 grasses and 10 forbs. Each seed mix was designed with equal amounts of pure live seed for each species. After two growing seasons, seed mix richness generally had little or no effect on seeded species richness, individual seeded species, density, non-seeded species density, and ground cover, except for seeded forbs. Seed mixes II and III, with moderate species richness, provided the most benefit for developing species rich communities. Seeding with high species richness is more expensive, sometimes difficult to procure seed, and may not associate with communities of greater species richness, negating their need.

Editorial: Restoration of coastal marine ecosystems

Editorial: Restoration of coastal marine ecosystems

Evaluating the efficacy of ecological restoration of fish habitat in coastal waters of Lake Ontario

Ecological restoration is a common strategy applied to degraded wetlands and tributaries in large lakes. As resources are typically limited for restoration, it is essential to ensure that such efforts achieve associated goals. Using both discrete and continuous methods, we evaluated the efficacy of ecological restoration efforts on fish habitat within Canada's largest city, Toronto (Cell 2 and Embayment D of Tommy Thompson Park) relative to a control site (Toronto Islands). First, we used a long-term electrofishing dataset (i.e., discrete) to examine catch and community composition relative to restoration status. Catch for northern pike (Esox lucius) remained constant at both restoration sites, and catch of invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) decreased at Embayment D, indicating that exclusion barriers may be effective. Restoration was less effective for largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) as catches remained similar after restoration at Cell 2, but decreased within Embayment D. We also found that relative abundance for coldwater species at both restoration sites decreased post-restoration, with increases in warmwater species at Cell 2 and coolwater species at Embayment D. Next, we used a long-term acoustic telemetry dataset (i.e., continuous sampling) with three focal species: largemouth bass, northern pike, and invasive common carp. Based on telemetry, we found that restoration efficacy was species-specific, with largemouth bass present before and after ecological restoration (particularly in spring, which may be associated with spawning), but clear reductions in use of the restored areas for common carp and northern pike. Exclusion barriers, while effective at blocking common carp, appeared to also negatively influence access for northern pike. Using both discrete and continuous methods longitudinally and across both treatment and control sites provided complementary information on the efficacy of restoration works within Toronto Harbour, with electrofishing data highlighting changes in fish community composition while acoustic telemetry provided continuous information on timing and duration of habitat use.

Ecological restoration amplifies riverine fish catch of Gudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822): an impact study in the river Ganga using multivariate statistical tools and water quality indices.

Fish residing in the aquatic ecosystem are considered the best ecological indicator for monitoring environmental habitat. To evaluate the changes that occurred due to relative restoration in the ecological habitat, a study was conducted in the freshwater zone of the river Ganga between Buxar, Bihar, and Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, between July 2021 and July 2022. In the monitoring, the physico-chemical condition, as well as the food and feeding habits of the fish Gudusia chapra, were monitored with the help of various pollution evaluating indices, namely, the algal pollution index (API) for planktons, the comprehensive pollution index (CPI-WQI), and the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Indices (NSF-WQI) for water. The study showed that the relative restoration facilitated the amplification of the fish catch from 5.60 to 98.98% in two consecutive years. The reduction in the API (15 to 4) as well as CPI (0.80 to 0.72) during both years signified the reduction of the pollution status of the river in the region. The NSF-WQI also decreased from 88.27 to 79.27 from 2021 to 2022. The electivity index for the fish showed that fish preferred the groups Cyanobacteria, Rotifera, and Copepoda. The multivariate, as well as univariate analyses, revealed that the fish G. chapra is significantly influenced by multiple abiotic as well as biotic variables, among which the major contributors are riverine velocity, transparency, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, carbonate, bicarbonate, salinity, total hardness, calcium, silicate, and biochemical oxygen demand.

Upscaling ecological restoration by integrating with agriculture

Transformative change is needed to align common small‐scale ecological restoration approaches with expectations to restore millions of hectares of degraded lands globally. Currently, most restoration projects target small areas using costly manual methods that cannot be scaled up to meet global commitments. We propose that a judicious integration of agricultural practices into ecological restoration offers an opportunity to address this issue. This transformative process relies on three sequential and interconnected steps: (1) ensure that sufficient land is truly available for restoration; (2) compensate for the loss of agricultural production, income, or land value to encourage landholders to opt for restoration; and (3) develop scalable, affordable, and effective methods for restoring native ecosystems across the pledged hundreds of millions of hectares to deliver benefits to both nature and people. Large‐scale terrestrial restoration will require incorporating agronomic practices into the restoration toolbox to go beyond vague, ambitious promises and wishful thinking.

Research on Spatiotemporal Continuous Information Perception of Overburden Compression-Tensile Strain Transition Zone during Mining and Integrated Safety Guarantee System.

The mining of deep underground coal seams induces the movement, failure, and collapse of the overlying rock-soil body, and the development of this damaging effect on the surface causes ground fissures and ground subsidence on the surface. To ensure safety throughout the life cycle of the mine, fully distributed, real-time, and continuous sensing and early warning is essential. However, due to mining being a dynamic process with time and space, the overburden movement and collapse induced by mining activities often have a time lag effect. Therefore, how to find a new way to resolve the issue of the existing discontinuous monitoring technology of overburden deformation, obtain the spatiotemporal continuous information of the overlying strata above the coal seam in real time and accurately, and clarify the whole process of deformation in the compression-tensile strain transition zone of overburden has become a key breakthrough in the investigation of overburden deformation mechanism and mining subsidence. On this basis, firstly, the advantages and disadvantages of in situ observation technology of mine rock-soil body were compared and analyzed from the five levels of survey, remote sensing, testing, exploration, and monitoring, and a deformation and failure perception technology based on spatiotemporal continuity was proposed. Secondly, the evolution characteristics and deformation failure mechanism of the compression-tensile strain transition zone of overburden were summarized from three aspects: the typical mode of deformation and collapse of overlying rock-soil body, the key controlling factors of deformation and failure in the overburden compression-tensile strain transition zone, and the stability evaluation of overburden based on reliability theory. Finally, the spatiotemporal continuous perception technology of overburden deformation based on DFOS is introduced in detail, and an integrated coal seam mining overburden safety guarantee system is proposed. The results of the research can provide an important evaluation basis for the design of mining intensity, emergency decisions, and disposal of risks, and they can also give important guidance for the assessment of ground geological and ecological restoration and management caused by underground coal mining.

Study on Soil Stabilization and Slope Protection Effects of Different Plants on Fully Weathered Granite Backfill Slopes

The slope erosion in the distribution area of completely weathered granite is often relatively severe, causing serious ecological damage and property loss. Ecological restoration is the most effective means of soil erosion control. Taking completely weathered granite backfill soil as the research object, two types of slope protection plants, Vetiver grass and Pennisetum hydridum, were selected. We analyzed these two herbaceous plants’ soil reinforcement and slope protection effects through artificial planting experiments, indoor simulated rainfall experiments, and direct shear tests. The test results showed that the runoff and sediment production rates of the two herbaceous plant slopes were significantly lower than those of the bare slope, with the order of bare slope > Vetiver grass slope > Pennisetum hydridum slope. Compared with the bare slope, the cumulative sediment production of the Vetiver grass slope at 60 min decreased by 56.73–60.09%, and the Pennisetum hydridum slope decreased by 75.97–78.45%. The indoor direct shear test results showed that soil cohesion decreases with increasing water content. As the root content of Vetiver grass roots increases, soil cohesion first increases and then decreases, reaching a maximum value when the root content is 1.44%. As the root content of Pennisetum hydridum increases, soil cohesion increases. The internal friction angle increases slightly with increasing water content, while the root content does not significantly affect the internal friction angle. Therefore, the shear strength of soil decreases when the water content increases. The shear strength of the Vetiver grass root-soil composite reaches a peak at a root content of 1.44%, while the shear strength of the giant king grass root-soil composite increases as the root content increases. At the same root content, the shear strength of the Vetiver grass root-soil composite is slightly higher than that of giant king grass. The reinforcement effect of roots on shallow soil is better than on deep soil. Both herbaceous plants have an excellent soil-fixing and slope-protecting impact on the fully weathered granite backfill slope. Pennisetum hydridum’s soil and water conservation effect is significantly better than that of the Vetiver grass. In contrast, Vetiver grass roots slightly outperform Pennisetum hydridum in enhancing the shear strength of the soil. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for the vegetation slope protection treatment of fully weathered granite backfill slopes.

Assessment of the Restoration Potential of Forest Vegetation Coverage in the Alxa Desert Region of China.

To scientifically evaluate the sustainability of tree planting and afforestation in the Alxa Desert region, this study, grounded in the principles of water balance within the natural water cycle, employed multi-source remote sensing products and ground-based measurements to construct a quantitative response relationship model. This model links evapotranspiration (ET) with meteorological variables and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). Furthermore, the study estimated the recovery thresholds and potential of forest and grassland vegetation coverage in the Alxa Desert region under various precipitation scenarios. The findings reveal that ET exhibited an increasing trend in 84.17% of the Alxa Desert region, with a significant increase observed in 61.53% of the area, indicating positive outcomes from the implementation of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. Notably, however, ET in the southeastern plain region demonstrated a decreasing trend, which is strongly associated with human activities. The response relationship model demonstrated that linear relationship areas constituted 47.52%, while nonlinear relationship areas accounted for 45.51% of the total. The overall model exhibited an R2 value of 0.69, indicating a high level of predictive accuracy. Analysis of forest and grassland coverage revealed that, under wet year scenarios, the vegetation coverage showed a significant trend of recovery, with an average recovery threshold of (75.4 ± 12.5)% and an average recovery potential of (8.5 ± 3.6)%. It is noteworthy that the vegetation coverage in 31.25% of the area had already surpassed the recovery threshold. The outcomes of this study provide a theoretical foundation for the formulation of more scientifically rigorous ecological restoration strategies in the future.

Research on the Expression of Naturalistic Style in the Landscape Design of Xuzhou Abandoned Mine Park

In recent years, more and more mines have been left idle, and the formed mine wasteland has become a visual pollution of the urban landscape, and the study of landscape design of mine parks has become a focal topic. To address this issue, the sample of this study was selected from Xuzhou Anran Mountain Quarry Abandoned Quarry, to enhance the ecological environment and landscape value of the site through the sample's naturalistic style design and performance. The goal of the study is to explore the innovative design and performance of naturalistic style in the landscape of Xuzhou abandoned quarry park. Methods of this study: observation forms, questionnaires and interview forms, relevant cases and other research methods were used to analyse the overview of mine transformation in China, the landscape characteristics, ecological status and problems of Xuzhou mine wasteland. The design strategy of naturalistic style in the landscape of Xuzhou mine park is proposed.The results of the study show that (1) mine rehabilitation. China's big cities have more mine rehabilitation, and the proportion of cases in small cities is relatively small. (2) Characteristic aspects. Abandoned mines in Xuzhou are characterised by serious ecological damage and chaotic and dilapidated site landscapes. (3) Design strategy. It should be carried out from the ecological restoration and management of the site environment, the aesthetic expression of naturalistic landscape, and the use of natural elements and natural materials. In addition, through the in-depth analysis of the sample landscape design, the originally desolate abandoned mine was transformed into a naturalistic style landscape space, adopting ecological and cultural strategies. The results of the study contribute to the ecological and economic development of the region, and also provide theoretical and practical guidance for the rehabilitation of other mines in China.

Soundscape analysis can be an effective tool in assessing seagrass restoration early success

Restoration of vulnerable marine habitats is becoming increasingly popular to cope with widespread habitat loss and the resulting decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services. Lately, restoration strategies have been employed to enhance the recovery of degraded meadows of the Mediterranean endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Typically, habitat restoration success is evaluated by the persistence of foundation species after transplantation (e.g., plant survival and growth) on the short and long-term, although successful plant responses do not necessarily reflect the recovery of ecosystem biodiversity and functions. Recently, soundscape (the spatial, temporal and frequency attribute of ambient sound and types of sound sources characterizing it) has been related to different habitat conditions and community structures. Thus, a successful restoration action should lead to acoustic restoration and soundscape ecology could represent an important component of restoration monitoring, leading to assess successful habitat and community restoration. Here, we evaluated acoustic community and metrics in a P. oceanica restored meadow and tested whether the plant transplant effectiveness after one year was accompanied by a restored soundscape. With this goal, acoustic recordings from degraded, transplanted and reference meadows were collected in Sardinia (Italy) using passive acoustic monitoring devices. Soundscape at each meadow type was examined using both spectral analysis and classification of fish calls based on a catalogue of fish sounds from the Mediterranean Sea. Seven different fish sounds were recorded: most of them were present in the reference and transplanted meadows and were associated to Sciaena umbra and Scorpaena spp. Sound Pressure Level (SPL, in dB re: 1 μPa-rms) and Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) were influenced by the meadow type. Particularly higher values were associated to the transplanted meadow. SPL and ACI calculated in the 200–2000 Hz frequency band were also related to high abundance of fish sounds (chorus). These results showed that meadow restoration may lead to the recovery of soundscape and the associated community, suggesting that short term acoustic monitoring can provide complementary information to evaluate seagrass restoration success.

Rare legumes are missing mutualists, but herbivory and environmental filtering are more important determinants of reintroduction success

Soil microbial mutualists like rhizobia bacteria can promote the establishment of rare, late‐successional legumes. Despite restoration efforts, these mutualists are often absent in the microbiome. Therefore, restoring this mutualism by directly inoculating rare legumes with rhizobia mutualists may increase plant establishment. We inoculated seedlings of Amorpha canescens, Dalea purpurea, and Lespedeza capitata with three strains of species‐specific rhizobia each to investigate how this mutualism would promote growth in the field and in the greenhouse. Because many herbaceous plants are vulnerable to herbivory, we used exclosures for half of our field transplantations to prevent mammalian herbivory. We did not find that rhizobia bacteria directly promoted the growth of our legumes in the field but rather that herbivory and environmental conditions overwhelmed the effects of the rhizobia. Of the plants transplanted, only 17.78% of 180 survived to the end of the growing season, all of which were protected from herbivory. Survival at the end of the growing season was also greater in the northern, drier end of the field site. In the second growing season, plants were more likely to survive in the exclosure treatment, while only four recovered in the open treatment. In the greenhouse, we found increased nodulation with inoculations, supporting the hypothesis that species‐specific mutualists are absent from restoration sites. Though several recent studies have shown that restoring mutualistic interactions has the potential to dramatically improve the outcomes of ecological restoration, our results show that protecting rare species from herbivory after transplantation might achieve greater gains in establishment.

Timing mowing for maximal energy gain - Managing foraging habitat of wintering geese under extreme drought conditions

The availability of high-quality food resources is a critical determinant of wildlife fitness. Over the past two decades, phenological mismatch - the temporal misalignment between animals’ peak nutrient demand and optimal resource availability - has emerged as a significant conservation challenge. This issue is particularly worrisome for migratory birds, which must accumulate energy reserves to meet the elevated metabolic demands of migration between breeding and wintering grounds. In Poyang Lake, a crucial wintering ground along the East Asian-Australasian flyway, increasing asynchrony between vegetation growth and the migration of herbivorous waterbirds significantly impedes conservation efforts and presents a major management challenge for this Ramsar wetland. This study evaluates the efficacy of mowing, a grassland management measure, in regulating plant growth processes and restoring food resources for geese. In-situ mowing experiments were conducted with varying timings in Carex wet meadows, the primary foraging habitats of geese. Optimal mowing times were identified, and the maximum goose carrying capacity was assessed by comparing Carex growth and nutritional dynamics with goose dietary requirements. The results reveal that mowing effectively slows down the aging process of Carex, and protein content is identified as a critical limiting factor for geese foraging. Different mowing timings extend the suitable foraging period by 11–25 days. Estimates suggest varying carrying capacities with different mowing timings, supporting goose populations ranging from 133 to 2,046 in Changhuchi Lake during wintering. The optimal mowing window is early October, avoiding dates before late September and after late November. Moreover, multiple-stage mowing is recommended to accommodate different wintering stages. The study highlights mowing as a potential habitat restoration approach for goose conservation, effectively mitigating the challenges imposed by phenological mismatch directly and indirectly caused by anthropogenic activities.

Restoration seed and plant material supply chains are complex social networks

Previous studies have advanced the conceptual framing of a “supply chain” to describe and examine key steps, inputs, and flows related to the production and use of seed and plant material in ecological restoration. However, these studies have paid less attention to investigating interrelationships among social actors throughout the “supply chain” stages for ecological restoration and allied activities. We applied social network analysis metrics to evaluate the number, kind, and strength of relationships among 157 social actors in the nine‐state region of the Northeastern United States, where rapid growth in restoration activities is driving a demand surge for native seed and plant materials. Restoration supply chains are more complex than previous conceptualization suggests, and we argue that the term “restoration supply networks” is more illustrative of this complexity. Results highlighted interdependency among different sectors, marked variation in input and output flows across spatial–temporal scales, and interplay among linear and nonlinear supply chain steps. The restoration supply network in the study area had a core–periphery structure, with a core comprising end‐users such as government agencies, design and build contractors, and non‐profit organizations surrounded by a periphery of seed and plant material suppliers. It is important to avoid oversimplifying seed and plant material supply chains as linear systems with strong linkages. Understanding relationship patterns among supply network actors can enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration among actors in all key restoration supply chain steps, a prerequisite to overcoming seed and plant material bottlenecks and meeting global restoration goals in the coming decades.

Pattern and change of NDVI and their environmental influencing factors for 1986–2019 in the Qinling-Daba Mountains of central China

Previous studies have shown that climate change and human activities play an important role in the vegetation dynamics in the Qinling-Daba Mountains of central China. However, which environmental factors including climate, topography, soil and human activities play an important role in the vegetation dynamics and its spatial pattern in the Qinling-Daba Mountains remains to be further clarified. Based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data of the growing season from 1986 to 2019 synthesized by Landsat series satellite data on Google Earth Engine, this study aimed to further investigate the spatial pattern of NDVI and its dynamics, and clarify its environmental controlling factors in the Qinling-Daba Mountains using the methods of spatial analysis and Geodetector. The results showed that: (1) the spatial pattern of NDVI in the study area had a U-shaped NDVI distribution in latitude, anti-U-shaped patterns in longitude and with increasing altitude. (2) 2005 was the year of NDVI breakthrough increase, and the vegetation dynamics was divided into two periods according to the result of MK mutation test: the slow increasing period with an increasing rate of 0.25%/a from 1986 to 2004 (R2 0.74), and the rapid increasing period with an increasing rate of 0.30%/a from 2005 to 2019 (R2 0.92). (3) Topography regulating local hydrothermal conditions and soil enriching nutritions played more important influence on NDVI spatial pattern than climate factors (temperature and precipitation) at the regional scale. The effect of land use on NDVI change was stronger than that of climate warming (temperature), and the climate warming in recent decades played a more important role than precipitation on the NDVI dynamics. Research on vegetation patterns, changes and their environmental influencing factors will help the government and other related agencies to formulate plans or policies for infrastructure development and land management, ecological restoration.

A transcriptome-wide analysis provides novel insights into how Metabacillus indicus promotes coral larvae metamorphosis and settlement

BackgroundCoral reefs experience frequent and severe disturbances that can overwhelm their natural resilience. In such cases, ecological restoration is essential for coral reef recovery. Sexual reproduction has been reported to present the simplest and most cost-effective means for coral reef restoration. However, larval settlement and post-settlement survival represent bottlenecks for coral recruitment in sexual reproduction. While bacteria play a significant role in triggering coral metamorphosis and settlement in many coral species, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we employed a transcriptome-level analysis to elucidate the intricate interactions between bacteria and coral larvae that are crucial for the settlement process.ResultsHigh Metabacillus indicus strain cB07 inoculation densities resulted in the successful induction of metamorphosis and settlement of coral Pocillopora damicoris larvae. Compared with controls, inoculated coral larvae exhibited a pronounced increase in the abundance of strain cB07 during metamorphosis and settlement, followed by a significant decrease in total lipid contents during the settled stage. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during metamorphosis were significantly enriched in amino acid, protein, fatty acid, and glucose related metabolic pathways. In settled coral larvae induced by strain cB07, there was a significant enrichment of DEGs with essential roles in the establishment of a symbiotic relationship between coral larvae and their symbiotic partners. The photosynthetic efficiency of strain cB07 induced primary polyp holobionts was improved compared to those of the negative controls. In addition, coral primary polyps induced by strain cB07 showed significant improvements in energy storage and survival.ConclusionsOur findings revealed that strain cB07 can promote coral larval settlement and enhance post-settlement survival and fitness. Manipulating coral sexual reproduction with strain cB07 can overcome the current recruitment bottleneck. This innovative approach holds promise for future coral reef restoration efforts.

Smallholders' perspectives, motivations, and incentives for restoring the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Ecosystem restoration, recognized as a critical strategy for climate change adaptation and mitigation, faces significant challenges in achieving widespread implementation. A particular facet of this challenge lies in the active involvement of rural landowners. Our study aimed to understand rural landowners' perspectives, motivations, and characteristics that influence their participation in restoration projects in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Qualitative content analysis was conducted on 68 semi‐structured interviews with two groups of landowners: 36 who received support and 32 who did not receive project support from a local non‐governmental organization to restore native forests on their landholdings. Approximately three‐quarters of the sample are classified as smallholders (<80 ha). The main difference between the two groups is the dependence on agricultural production as the main source of income, with 22% of farmers in the supported group and 72% in the unsupported group. This socio‐economic characteristic appeared to influence the decision to restore native forest. Farmers' focus tends to be linked to rural production, and the main obstacle to restoration was the loss of productive land. They usually allow natural forest regeneration to establish on slopes. The other type of landowner (lifestylers) mainly restored land through planting of seedlings, with the main barrier being the cost of restoration. Both groups had water conservation as their main motivation for restoration. Our study shows that understanding the perspectives and motivations of the diversity of rural landowners is crucial to effectively engage them and address the socio‐economic feasibility of different restoration approaches.

Tiny Architects of Fertile Soils: Understanding the Role of Soil Arthropods

Soil Arthropods are a vitally important component of the ecosystem, as their diversity, abundance, and distribution pattern play a vital role in ecosystem sustainability. Soil arthropods are critical to maintaining soil fertility and ecosystem health by driving essential ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, decomposition, and soil structure formation. As decomposers, these organisms, including mites, springtails, isopods, termites, and others, break down organic matter, aiding in the recycling of key nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, vital for plant growth. By burrowing and tunnelling, arthropods improve soil aeration, water infiltration, and aggregation, contributing to soil stability and resistance to erosion. Despite their small size, soil arthropods are essential ecosystem engineers, influencing the dynamics of microbial communities and facilitating the conversion of organic material into accessible forms for other organisms. However, their populations face threats from land-use changes, unsustainable agricultural practices, and the introduction of invasive species, all of which degrade soil health. Conservation strategies focused on habitat restoration, sustainable farming, and public awareness are crucial to protecting these vital organisms and ensuring the long-term sustainability of soils. A greater understanding of the roles played by these often-overlooked organisms can enhance conservation efforts and foster more sustainable agricultural practices, thereby supporting global ecosystem health.