Implications For Ecological Restoration Research Articles

Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Water Use Efficiency in Typical Ecosystems on the Loess Plateau in the Last 20 Years, with Drivers and Implications for Ecological Restoration

The water use efficiency (WUE) is an essential indicator of carbon–water coupling between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere, and it is an important parameter for studying ecosystem responses to global climate change. A comprehensive understanding of the water–carbon coupling process in the Loess Plateau can reflect the balance between the “carbon absorption” and “water consumption” in vegetation, which drives the ecosystem succession process. In recent years, scholars have gained a more comprehensive understanding of the WUE and the driving factors of the Loess Plateau. However, there is still a need to study the carbon and water coupling mechanisms of different land use types in the Loess Plateau region. In this article, based on the gross primary productivity (GPP), evapotranspiration (ET), surface cover remote sensing products, and meteorological observation data, the trend of WUE changes for different vegetation types in the Loess Plateau from 2001 to 2020 and the correlations with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), precipitation, and temperature values were analyzed using the Theil–Sen median (SEN) trend analysis method and correlation coefficient analysis method. The spatial distribution patterns of the changes with the drought index showed that the multi-year average WUE value of the Loess Plateau was 1.24 g C mm−1 H2O, and the mean WUE values in different seasons were ranked as follows: summer > autumn > spring. The WUE growth rates of all vegetation types showed a decreasing trend with the increase in drought index, and the size of the WUE response rate for each vegetation type to drought was ranked as follows: grassland > forest > shrub > crop. The annual average WUE increase rate of the Loess Plateau was 0.02 g C mm−1 H2O yr−1, of which 93.36% of the area showed an increasing trend. The NDVI was the dominant factor affecting the spatial and temporal variations in WUE rates in the Loess Plateau, and the correlation between the NDVI and WUE was strongest in summer. In the more arid regional ecosystems, the WUE was negatively correlated with the precipitation and temperature, but in summer the precipitation had a positive effect on the WUE. The correlation of grassland and shrub WUE rates with temperature was more sensitive to the drought index than that of the forest and crop areas, but there was also a threshold effect. Therefore, when vegetation restoration is carried out in arid and semi-arid regions, the carbon and water coupling mechanisms of different vegetation types and the reasonable allocation of regional water resources should be fully considered.

Germination of Seeds Subjected to Temperature and Water Availability: Implications for Ecological Restoration

The regeneration of natural Betula platyphylla Suk., a pioneer tree and predominant species in stand forest of the northern region, China faces a challenge, i.e., population decline. One of the bottlenecks relative to the successful seedling establishment is the effectiveness of seed germination. In this study, four different families (3-4, 3-22, 3-42, and 3-43) of B.platyphylla seeds were used as research objects to explore the effects of temperature and PEG simulated drought on seed germination. The result showed that seed germination ability from different families increased first and then decreased with the increase in temperature. The germination rate (GR), germination value coefficient (GVC), and germination index (GI) at 25 ℃ and 30 ℃ were significantly higher than those at lower temperatures (15 ℃ and 20 ℃) and higher temperature (35 ℃), and the time for germination percentage to reach 50% (T50) was faster. The germination ability decreased gradually with the increase in drought stress. Seeds are more sensitive to drought stress at low temperatures, their germination is severely inhibited, and the tolerance range of PEG concentration at 15 °C (0%–10%) is less than other temperatures (10%–20%), while they can germinate well at high temperatures and the tolerance to drought stress is stronger. Our results suggested that 3-43 had better germination ability at high temperature, while 3-22 had better germination ability at low temperature. Our findings highlight low temperatures and drought stress as key factors limiting seed germination, which may be one of the bottlenecks to population regeneration. This research provides a scientific reference for the natural regeneration and population restoration of B. platyphylla.

How does land use cover change affect hydrological response in the Atlantic Forest? Implications for ecological restoration

Water availability is influenced by climate conditions and physical characteristics such as topography, soil type, and land use and cover. The Atlantic Forest has a long deforestation history and shows a climatic and environmental gradient that results in natural vegetation diversity driven mainly by water availability and local conditions. Therefore, Atlantic Forest ecoregions are expected to show a natural variability of water responses and different hydrological effects caused by land-use cover change. In this study, we compared the hydrological response among 11 Atlantic Forest ecoregions in areas of native vegetation and pasture, using CHIRPS rainfall data, evapotranspiration by the MOD16A2 product of the MODIS satellite and water surplus calculated by the 19-year mass balance for 712 sampling points. The parameter “m”, which can be considered a proxy for local hydrological responsiveness, was calculated by equations based on the Budyko framework and varied between 1.2 and 3.6 in the biome. In 10 of the 11 ecoregions, the parameter “m” in native vegetation was statistically higher than in the pasture, and in the REST, ECOT, SEMI, STEP, and PARK ecoregions this difference was more pronounced. For all ecoregions, the R/P ratio was inversely proportional to the parameter “m”, but there were different levels of variation among them. In wetter and drier areas, there is less variation in the water surplus, while the greatest variations occurred in areas where the PET/P ratio is 1.5. In conclusion, the parameter “m” of native vegetation and pasture varies in different Atlantic Forest ecoregions. The results of each ecoregion regarding hydrological response and implications for water yield can be used to understand and plan changes in land use for water production.

Insight into the factors of mountain bog and forest development in the Schwarzwald Mts.: Implications for ecological restoration

Peatlands are a significant landscape component in temperate mountain ranges and serve multiple functions. However, many peatlands were damaged, altered, or drained over the past centuries, and knowledge about their development is needed for their protection and sustainable management. In our study, we analysed two peat cores from a bog site located in the Black Forest (Southwest Germany) using high-resolution multi-proxy palaeoecological analysis, including biological indicators (plant macrofossils, pollen, testate amoebae), macro-and micro-charcoal as well as geochemical analyses (peat stoichiometry and stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N)) supported by radiocarbon dating. We tracked the development of the peatland and forest ecosystem to (i) determine their current ecological state, and to (ii) assess the role of different agents of change at the catchment scale on peatland development. The overall objective was to determine natural reference conditions as a basis for the restoration of degraded mountain bogs in the Black Forest Mountains and other temperate mountain ranges. Our results revealed that: i) the bog developed on mineral bedrock of slight slope through paludification around ca. 10,000 cal. BP; ii) the pristine plant populations dominated by Sphagnum fuscum occurring from 6200 cal. BP were replaced by Sphagnum medium/divinum and Eriophorum vaginatum since ca. 3300 cal. BP, most likely due to hydrological disturbances and possible dust deposition on the bog; iii) peat formation at the study site seems still active despite relatively deep water levels (ca. 22–26 cm below surface) and was active over the last 8000 years also when WTD varied between 12 and 26 cm; iv) the self-recovery of peat formation at this mountain bog is possible; v) the protection and restoration of mountain bog ecosystems should also consider land cover changes in the surrounding catchment, serving as further indicators or drivers of mountain bog development.

Anthropogenic impacts and implications for ecological restoration in the Karoo, South Africa

Arid regions globally have suffered ecological damage as European colonists have displaced virtually all nomadic cultures over the past 300 years, exploiting grazing, fauna and water unsustainably in creating permanent settlements. The Karoo is one such arid region that covers about one third of South Africa. In common with arid regions globally, this sparsely-populated shrubland was historically used mainly for ranching, but is now becoming increasingly important for renewable energy generation (wind and sun), for adventure tourism, and potentially for mining. Current and future land users in the Karoo face challenges posed by damage caused by past land use, particularly overgrazing and impoundments. Land users of the future will probably experience additional challenges caused by the combined impacts of damaging land use and climate change. This review synthesizes the bodies of literature on the archaeology, ecology, land use history, environmental change and development planning. In doing so, we address the effects of historical land use on biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services in the region. We also identify avenues for future research, including mitigation and restoration actions required to make continued human occupation of the Karoo sustainable. Insights on the sustainability of the Karoo region are relevant when considering the socio-ecological futures of arid regions elsewhere.

Macroinvertebrate communities and physicochemical characteristics along an anthropogenic stress gradient in a southern Nigeria stream: Implications for ecological restoration

Anthropogenic pollution of water has become an urgent management challenge across the world. We explored benthic macroinvertebrates community structure in relation to physicochemical conditions of the water column and sediments along an anthropogenic stress gradient in a southern Nigeria stream. We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) followed by Canonical Corresponding Analysis (CCA) to analyse the original monitoring dataset (33 water quality indexes), identify the important physicochemical variables, and evaluate the relationship between the concluded important physicochemical variables and macroinvertebrates assemblages. PCA and CCA showed that sediment heavy metals explained larger part of variance in benthic macroinvertebrates assemblage. CCA showed a strong relationship between species metrics and environmental predictors. Sediment heavy metals pollution residues from industries that have relocated from the catchments of Site 2 affected the sediment and water quality as well as the benthic community structure at this site, demonstrated by the dominance of organic and heavy metal pollution tolerant taxa. Due to rapid urbanization, gradients of anthropogenic impacts resulted in an increase in the profile of heavy metal and nutrient concentrations along Sites 2, 3, and 4, indicated by the dominance of pollution-tolerant taxa of Oligochaete and Diptera groups. Our results supply useful baseline knowledge on urban chemical pollution in a developing world perspective. The long-term impression from sediment heavy metals pollution residues resulting from relocated industries should be a concern to environmental managers. For ecological restoration, objective management policies, legislation, and participatory scientific monitoring are key.

Internal Nitrogen Cycle in Macrophyte-Dominated Eutrophic Lakes: Mechanisms and Implications for Ecological Restoration

Macrophyte-dominated eutrophication (MDE) poses great challenges to lake management. However, macrophyte overgrowth research has been mainly confined to the field of invasion ecology, and eutrophication research has been primarily limited to phytoplankton-dominated eutrophication. In this study, the impacts of macrophytes on the internal N cycle were studied utilizing inference statistics with field-scale observation data from several deliberately selected contrasting regions (i.e., with and without macrophytes and with and without water flow) in 13 semiconnected sublakes in a single large MDE lake based on the before–after–control–impact analysis method. The t test between the impact and control regions, combined with the macrophyte N stock variation and the vertical sediment N diffusion analysis, indicates that macrophyte biodynamics, not physiochemical dynamics, dominate the sustainable internal N cycle, leading to macrophyte overgrowth in MDE lakes. Sediment N is absorbed and stored in macrophytes during the growing season and then begins to return to sediment during the withering period, forming a sustainable internal N cycle. Therefore, the restoration of eutrophication should emphasize limiting the self-enforced “sediment–macrophyte” N cycle rather than controlling only water N content or sediment N release. A practical strategy was proposed using the synergetic considerations of both the sediment N removal efficiency and the ecological interruptions.

Plant provenance affects pollinator network: Implications for ecological restoration

Abstract The selection of plant provenance for ecological restoration is an intensively debated topic. Throughout this debate, arguments mostly focus on plant performance, but little attention is paid to the effects of provenance on other members of the restored ecosystem. On the other hand, in restoration projects that focus specifically on supporting interacting biota, for example, wildflower strips among fields to support pollinators, the provenance choice is often not considered, partly because the effect of provenance on pollinators is unknown. In this pioneering case study, we tested whether pollinators differentiate between experimental plant communities of different provenances. We established experimental plant communities with the same species composition but with plants originating from three different provenances. We then recorded plant phenology and observed pollinators and flower visitors interacting with these experimental communities and related the pollinator visitation to the provenance identity. The provenances of the experimental plant communities had a strong and significant effect on the diversity and abundance of flower–pollinator interactions, with one provenance interacting two times as often as the other two provenances. The effect was driven by the differences in flowering phenology among provenances. Synthesis and applications. Plant provenances substantially differ in their interactions with local pollinators. Therefore, the selection of plant provenance should be considered when planning restoration projects for the support of pollinators.

Water source and transmission in Haloxylon ammodendron in the desert margin of the Manas River Basin, China

Abstract Analysis of water source and moisture transfer characteristics of desert plants is of great significance for ecological restoration in arid areas. In this study, the water source utilized by the desert plant, Haloxylon ammodendron, was analysed using the stable isotope technique, and the water transportation characteristics were obtained based on the proportional heat balance method under different weather conditions. The results showed that (1) before raining, the moisture of H. ammodendron mainly relied on groundwater (the average contribution rate was 34.14%) and on soil water located at a depth of 120–180 cm (the average contribution rate was 29.87%). After the rain, H. ammodendron mainly absorbed soil water from a depth of 60–120 cm (the average contribution rate was 33.19%) and groundwater (the average contribution rate was 30.67%); (2) the stem flow of H. ammodendron showed an obvious diurnal variation, showing a “midday rest” phenomenon. The stem flow showed a peak value, and in sunny days, it was ~2 fold higher than that in cloudy days. (3) The stem flow rate of H. ammodendron varied regularly overtime as follows: August > July > September > June > May, and the meteorological factors affecting its stem flow were solar radiation (0.826) > atmospheric temperature (0.598) > humidity (-0.573). The results provide basic support for the ecological conservation of the desert plant H. ammodendron, while also having important implications for ecological restoration in arid regions.

Response of mangrove plant species to a saline gradient: Implications for ecological restoration

Mangroves are salt tolerant plants that occur in tropical and sub-tropical sheltered coasts. Saltwater intrusions into terrestrial landscapes often occur due to either anthropogenic reasons or natural calamities such as tsunamis. We investigated the potential of using mangrove species for rehabilitation of high saline environments by revealing the capacities of species to remove salt from sediment. We established the salt retention capacity of common mangrove species in Sri Lanka i.e., Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal, and Avicennia marina through ex-situ and in-situ measurements of NaCl content in plant tissue and soil samples, by titrating with 0.01 N AgNO3. The results revealed A. marina to be the most efficient in retaining salt within plant tissues while C. tagal is superior to R. mucronata but inferior to A. marina in performing this function. These findings were further confirmed by measuring salt uptake rates of hydroponically grown seedlings of the same species. Although R. mucronata is the most popular species used for restoration, A. marina appears the most suitable mangrove species not only for coastal mangrove restoration but also for rehabilitating salinity affected landscapes.

Growth and survival of Campinarana seedlings subject to drought and flooding: implications for ecological restoration

Campinaranas are Amazonian ecosystems that undergo seasonal drought and flooding, making seedling establishment a great challenge. In ecosystems with extreme hydrologic variation, the seeding timing may affect seedling establishment. This study evaluates germination, survival, and growth of seedlings of the Campinarana tree species Himatanthus sucuuba, Hydrochorea corymbosa, and Ruizterania retusa under drought and flooding conditions, simulating different timings of planting. Germination was evaluated in flooding and moist conditions. Seedlings underwent the following treatments in a greenhouse environment: moist followed by moist (MoMo), moist followed by flooding (MoFl), moist followed by drought (MoDr), and flooding followed by moist (FlMo), with a 90-day period for each water regime. Seedling survival, biomass, height, wilting stages, and development of morphological structures were evaluated. Seedling survival of H. sucuuba and H. corymbosa was higher than 80% in all treatments. Himatanthus sucuuba had higher growth in MoMo and H. corymbosa did not differ among MoMo, MoDr, and FlMo treatments. Ruizterania retusa had higher survival in MoMo and FlMo treatments and had higher growth in FlMo. Himatanthus sucuuba and H. corymbosa seedlings had low growth in general but were resistant to flooding up to 90 days, while 90–180-day-old seedlings took advantage of moist conditions to grow fast. Species varied widely in their performances from dry to flooded conditions after germination, suggesting that Campinarana species have different strategies to ensure seedling establishment. Timing of seeding or seedling planting could be managed to improve seedling establishment.

Fire regimes and structural changes in oak-pine forests of the Mogollon Highlands ecoregion: Implications for ecological restoration

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests occur at their warmer, drier environmental limits in the Mogollon Highlands ecoregion (MHE) of the Southwestern United States, and are commonly found in stringers or discrete stands that form ecotones with interior chaparral. These “rear edge” forests are likely to be highly vulnerable to rapid changes in structure and composition with climate warming, drought, and wildfire. There is increasing interest in understanding historical conditions, ecosystem changes, and restoration needs for MHE forests. However, comprehensive reconstruction analysis of fire regimes and stand structure has not been done for these systems, which differ from many montane ponderosa pine forests by having an abundance of understory shrubs. In this study we used demographic data from field plots, fire scar samples, and dendroecology to reconstruct historical fire regimes and landscape structure at ponderosa pine-dominated sites that spanned a range of environmental conditions on the Prescott and Tonto National Forests. We found strong evidence of historical surface fire regimes with mean fire intervals ranging 1.3–15.6 years across the five MHE sites during the period 1700–1879. We found very little evidence of historical high-severity fire at any study site. Historical forest structure was open with tree densities ranging 84.7–136.4 trees ha−1 and stand basal area (BA) ranging 4.5–8.4 m2 ha−1. Historical composition showed codominance of ponderosa pine, Arizona white oak (Quercus arizonica), Emory oak (Q. emoryi), and Gambel oak (Q. gambelii). Thus, oak species and likely other hardwoods were important historical components of these ecosystems. Contemporary forests are greater in stand density and BA by 359–703% and 285–502%, respectively, compared to historical estimates. In addition, we observed contemporary shifts in species composition. Changes related to disruption of historical fire regimes have increased susceptibility of ponderosa pine forests in the MHE to rapid shifts in structure and composition that may come about with climate change and high-intensity wildfire. Meeting fuels reduction and ecological restoration goals will be challenging for land managers due to vigorous regeneration responses of shrubs to tree thinning, prescribed burning, or other management activities. Managers will be required to balance attention to historical reference conditions, conservation of biological diversity, and needs for fuels management.

Succession of macrozoobenthic communities and implications for ecological restoration in an urban Lake Wuli, Jiangsu Province

底栖动物作为湖泊生态修复中常用的淡水生物类群，对维持和稳定湖泊生态系统结构与功能具有重要作用，探明底栖动物群落演变特征对湖泊生态修复实践具有重要的指导意义.本研究于2007-2017年对太湖五里湖底栖动物群落结构开展了11年的长期调查，结合底栖动物历史数据以及水体、沉积物和浮游植物等相关资料的分析，探讨了五里湖底栖动物群落结构演变特征及潜在的影响因素.在综合分析底栖动物及环境因子变化特征的基础上，结合五里湖开发与修复工程的特点和发生时间，发现五里湖底栖动物群落演变过程总体可划分为自然演变、快速退化、生境修复和缓慢恢复4个阶段.在自然演变阶段，生境特征为底栖动物群落演变的直接影响因素，如水深、溶解氧和底质类型等；在快速退化阶段，人类活动干扰（如围湖造田）剧烈成为此阶段底栖动物群落演变的主要影响因素；在生境修复阶段，五里湖内开展的综合整治（包括生态清淤、污水截流、退渔还湖、动力换水、生态修复、湖岸整治和环湖林带建设等工程）等各项生态修复工程成为群落演变的主要影响因素，但在此阶段底栖动物优势种仍为耐污种；自2014年以来进入缓慢恢复期，软体动物投放成为底栖动物群落演变的一个重要影响因素，铜锈环棱螺等软体动物成为优势种.综合以上分析结果及底栖动物在生态修复中的应用实践，今后应加强对底栖动物生态修复投放过程及之后的维护管理等方面的研究.;Zoobenthos play crucial roles in maintaining and stabilizing the structure and function of lake ecosystem. Moreover, various zoobenthic species are valuable in freshwater eco-restoration. Uncovering the succession of zoobenthic community evolution could provide important information for the application of zoobenthic species in freshwater eco-restoration. In the present study, succession of macrozoobenthic communities was examined by combing field investigation from 2007 to 2017 and various documents. It was found that the succession of zoobenthos community in Lake Wuli can be divided into four stages, including natural succession stage, rapid degradation stage, habitat restoration stage and slow recovery stage. Besides, taking the water quality, sediment characteristics, phytoplankton community, and the reported eco-restoration activities in Lake Wuli into consideration, we discussed the major impact factors in different succession stages of zoobenthos community. Summarily, based on the above results and practical application of zoobenthos in freshwater eco-restoration, the present study pointed out the research directions which should be enhanced at last.

Foraging behavior of the Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) and its implications for ecological restoration and sustainable boreal forest management

Several studies have shown that the Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) is strongly favored by large-scale disturbances, including forest fires. However, natural disturbances have largely disappeared from European boreal forests because of modern forestry practices and fire suppression. We currently lack knowledge on the foraging activity and resource use of the Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, especially in burned forests, and this restricts our ability to develop strategies for sustainable forest management and ecological restoration aiming at improving the situation of this woodpecker and associated species. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we studied the characteristics of selected foraging substrates and the foraging behavior of the Three-toed Woodpecker during the breeding season in unburned forests and forests that have been subjected to prescribed burning. We used instantaneous sampling duringtwo consecutive springs (2016-2017), where we observed the woodpeckers’ foraging behavior during a total of 977 minutes in burned forest and 962 minutes in unburned forests. The preferred foraging substrate for Three-toed Woodpeckers in both burned and unburned forests can be characterized as freshly dead trees with a DBH > 15 cm. However, data on time spent foraging on different substrates suggest that also substrates in the 5-15 DBH range and living trees are important. Additionally, prescribed burnings led to less pronounced selection of tree species, which suggest that fire may reduce differences in abundance of saproxylic insect prey between tree species. This information on substrate selection and foraging time provide complementary knowledge and thus should be used simultaneously when management strategies for improved woodpecker habitat are developed. Our results suggest that both prescribed burning and protecting forests with high density and diversity of dead wood provides habitat opportunities for Three-toed Woodpeckers and using both in management may maximize conservation outcome

Comparing traditional and modern methods of kākahi translocation: implications for ecological restoration

ABSTRACTHandling methods are an important determinant of translocation success. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, tangata whenua traditionally used insulated kete to translocate aquatic animals to new environments as part of ahumoana tawhito (ancient aquaculture). In this study we investigated the influence of three transport methods (traditional [flax kete], modern [bucket], and a hybrid of the two [bucket with flax support structures]) on the short-term performance (burrowing speed) of kākahi (freshwater mussels). We also tested whether assisted release (planting kākahi in the substrate) resulted in enhanced burrowing speeds. Kākahi that were transported using the traditional method were slower to begin probing the substrate, but there was no difference in overall burrowing speed. We also found that assisted release resulted in faster burrowing speeds. We conclude that handling and release procedures can influence the short-term performance of translocated kākahi, and we recommend procedures for future translocation projects, including transporting animals in immersion vessels where practical, and planting them at the release site

Barriers to ecosystem restoration presented by soil legacy effects of invasive alien N2‐fixing woody species: implications for ecological restoration

Impacts of invasive alien N2‐fixing woody species and how they can persist as soil legacy effects after invasive species control are well appreciated, but how soil legacy effects can present barriers to restoration is poorly understood. Finding better ways to deal with these barriers to restoration is essential to improving restoration outcomes. In this study, we review 440 studies to identify barriers to restoration and potential management actions for the barriers to restoration, and provide practical application examples of the management actions. Our findings suggest that altered soil microbial communities, depleted native soil seed banks, elevated N status, secondary invasion and weedy native species dominance, and reinvasion are potential barriers to restoration. Furthermore, carbon addition, litter removal, soil microbial treatments, establishing species adapted to low N levels, prescribed burning, classical biological control, grazing, mowing, herbicide or graminicide application, manual weeding, soil N management, soil solarization, weed mats, native species reintroduction, and nurse plants are potential management actions for these barriers to restoration. However, there is little evidence suggesting that several of these barriers to restoration hinder improved restoration outcomes and this could be due to little research on them. More research is needed to assess their relative importance in hindering improved restoration outcomes. Management actions are rarely applied in combination, despite that they often address distinct barriers to restoration. Management actions should be combined into an integrated management effort to improve restoration outcomes.

Spatial variability and temporal trends of precipitation over the Loess Plateau of China: 1957-2013

Accurate information about regional precipitation and trends in spatiotemporal variation is crucial, both from the perspective of quantifying water budgets and to determine appropriate vegetation restoration. The objectives of this study were to evaluate spatiotemporal changes in precipitation and to analyze the monthly, annual, and seasonal precipitation trends of 85 stations in the Loess Plateau during 1957−2013. The Mann−Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator were applied to analyze the precipitation data. Monthly precipitation trends exhibited apparent regional differences over the Loess Plateau, significant increasing trends in rainfall were found in winter. On the seasonal scale, the magnitude of significant negative trends in seasonal rainfall varied from 0.595 mm/yr2 to 2.732 mm/yr2. The magnitude of significant positive trends varied from 0.010 mm/yr2 to 1.987 mm/yr2. One of the most remarkable findings was that all the stations showed significant positive trends in winter. For annual average rainfall, the magnitude of significant positive trends varied from 2.075 mm/yr2 to 3.427 mm/yr2. No significant negative trends were detected. Although, the annual average rainfall over the Loess Plateau showed a non-significant increasing trend, the seasonal and regional pattern was obvious. Such findings can provide important implications for ecological restoration and farming operations across the study region.

Acacia saligna's soil legacy effects persist up to 10 years after clearing: Implications for ecological restoration

AbstractTo reduce the negative impacts of invasive plants, management interventions such as control or eradication are usually necessary. It is often assumed that the impacts of invasive plants will diminish immediately after such interventions. However, in some cases the invader can have legacy effects in the soil that might persist for long periods, preventing the natural restoration of the areas managed. Therefore, to achieve the re‐establishment of a functional native ecosystem it is important to understand for how long such legacies can persist in the soil. This paper explores this issue, using Acacia saligna in South Africa as case study. We collected soil samples in invaded, non‐invaded and previously invaded sites (representing 2, 6 and 10 years after clearing) and analysed the levels of pH, carbon, nitrogen, available phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate and electrical conductivity. We also analysed enzyme activities (β‐1,4‐glucosidase, urease and acid phosphatase). Acacia saligna invasion alters overall soil characteristics but specifically raises pH by 0.6–1.8. Moreover, soil characteristics (e.g. pH) are not restored to natural conditions after control (soil legacy effects persist up to 10 years after clearing). Furthermore, A. saligna control elevates soil levels and these can remain higher than in invaded (1.55–6.67 mg kg−1) and non‐invaded (2.16–4.35 mg kg−1) sites up to 10 years after clearing. Elevated often facilitates secondary invasion and/or weedy native species dominance which may hinder the restoration of functional native ecosystems. Therefore, strategies to manage areas previously invaded by A. saligna should take into account the removal of litter from the target invader, secondary invaders and weedy native species.

Procesos ecológicos implicados en el ensamblaje de comunidades de taludes de carretera y su aplicación a la restauración ecológica

Procesos ecológicos implicados en el ensamblaje de comunidades de taludes de carretera y su aplicación a la restauración ecológica

Impact of Large-scale Reclamation on Coastal Wetlands and Implications for Ecological Restoration, Compensation, and Sustainable Exploitation Framework

Impact of Large-scale Reclamation on Coastal Wetlands and Implications for Ecological Restoration, Compensation, and Sustainable Exploitation Framework