Land Restoration Research Articles

From desertification to restoration in the Brazilian semiarid region: Unveiling the potential of land restoration on soil microbial properties

Land desertification poses a significant challenge in the Brazilian semiarid region, encompassing a substantial portion of the country. Within this region, the detrimental effects of human activities, particularly unsuitable anthropic actions, have resulted in diminished vegetation cover and an accelerated rate of soil erosion. Notably, practices such as overgrazing and the conversion of native forests into pasturelands have played a pivotal role in exacerbating the process of land desertification. Ultimately, land desertification results in significant losses of soil organic matter and microbial diversity. To address this pressing issue and contribute to the existing literature, various land restoration practices, such as grazing exclusion, cover crops, and terracing, have been implemented in the Brazilian semiarid. These practices have shown promising results in terms of enhancing soil fertility and restoring microbial properties. Nonetheless, their effectiveness in improving soil microbial properties in the Brazilian semiarid region remains a subject of ongoing study. Recent advances in molecular techniques have improved our understanding of microbial communities in lands undergoing desertification and restoration. In this review, we focus on assessing the effectiveness of these restoration practices in revitalizing soil microbial properties, with a particular emphasis on the soil microbiome and its functions. Through a critical assessment of the impact of these practices on soil microbial properties, our research aims to provide valuable insights that can help mitigate the adverse effects of desertification and promote sustainable development in this ecologically sensitive region.

Effects of Restoration Strategies on the Ion Distribution and Transport Characteristics of Medicago sativa in Saline–Alkali Soil

Studying the distribution and transport dynamics of cations in plants is crucial for understanding their response mechanisms to saline–alkali stress conditions. However, our current understanding of how restoration measures affect cation distribution and transport in plants is surprisingly limited. To address this gap, we conducted a split-plot experiment using Medicago sativa L. cv. “Zhongmu No. 1” to investigate the combined effects of biological and chemical restoration measures—with bio-fertilizer as the primary zone and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum and with humic acid as the secondary zone—on soil properties, plant growth, and the content, distribution, and transport of cations in plants. The results revealed that bio-fertilizers exhibited positive effects on the plant growth, yield, and translocation of key ionic components to leaves. On the contrary, FGD gypsum with humic acid reduced the soil’s pH level, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) while increasing the contents of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in the soil. The combination of bio-fertilizer, FGD gypsum, and humic acid increased the biomass and enhanced the translocation of Mg2+ to leaves. The distribution and transport of Mg2+ within the plant constituted pivotal elements for enhancing plant growth through restoration strategies. The application of bio-fertilizer, FGD gypsum, and humic acid reduced Na+ transport in M. sativa by enhancing the selective absorption of beneficial ions in leaves and by facilitating the transport of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from stems to the leaves. This, in turn, increases the salt tolerance of plants and promotes their growth. Our results offer new insights into the interactions among measures, soil, and plants in saline–alkali land restoration, providing practical solutions for the restoration of saline–alkali soil.

Identification of critical ecological restoration and early warning regions in the five-lakes basin of central Yunnan

The scientific determination of crucial regions for ecological land restoration and reasonable early warnings for ecologically weak areas are vital for implementing land ecological restoration. Five major plateau lake basins in central Yunnan (China) are selected as the study area in this research. An ecological security pattern (ESP) is constructed using the source-resistance surface-corridor-pinch point framework to effectively identify crucial areas for ecological restoration. Finally, the land use/cover change (LUCC) in the study region in 2030 is simulated in terms of the natural development prospect (NDP), with priority given to urban development (PUD) and priority given to ecological protection (PEP) scenarios, and identify areas where future urban expansion poses a threat to current ecological source areas and corridors as early warning regions. The results indicate the following: (1) There are 15 ecological source regions in the Five Lakes Basin, mainly forestland and waters, with a total area of 787.54 km2. The ecological corridor spans 245.72 km, with a total area of 439.90 km2. (2) The key ecological restoration areas include 72.87 km2 of ecological pinch points, 70.46 km2 of barrier points of ecological, and 71 breakpoints. (3) The ecological land under the NDP scenario and the PUD scenario were damaged to varying degrees. The ecological land dominated by forestland and water area under the PEP scenario is effectively protected. (4) The seven ecological protection space early warning points are mainly distributed in the eastern part of Dianchi Lake and the northern part of Fuxian Lake, which have good economic development and better habitat quality. The comprehensive analysis identified key ecological restoration areas and identified future ecological stresses due to land use change in the Five-Lakes Basin. Restoration strategies are proposed based on current land use and future scenarios to enhance the ESP in central Yunnan's Five Lakes Basin.

Ephedra shrubs facilitate local arthropod communities in the Andean Puna: Implications for conservation and habitat restoration

In high-altitude deserts, the vegetation is spatially structured as a mosaic of patches with vegetation and interpatches of bare soil. Shrub patches create microhabitats that facilitate the persistence of other organisms by ameliorating climate extremes and increasing soil nutrients and moisture. Although this facilitative effect has been studied mainly on shrub understorey plants, the positive influence of desert shrubs may extend to the local arthropod community. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that plant facilitation by the desert shrub species Ephedra multiflora and E. breana positively influences the epigeal arthropod communities of the Andean Puna. We found that arthropod abundance, richness and diversity were all higher on Ephedra shrub microsites relative to paired open microsites. The harsh environmental conditions prevailing in the Puna ecosystems and the protection and resources provided by plants could jointly explain the positive influence of Ephedra shrubs over the arthropod community. The growth of tourism and the boom for lithium, as well as the increasing drought expected for the region under climate change scenarios, strengthens the importance of conserving shrub cover in these ecosystems to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Our results are also relevant for restoration projects that consider the whole biological community, where using Ephedra as foundation shrubs to support desert endemics could be a strategy for land restoration.

The resolution of the transition conflict from tourism to mining in Pangkal Niur Village through the strengthening of social capital

Utilization of social capital is considered capable of addressing conflicts that arise in rural areas, especially those related to tourist areas that are part of community empowerment programs. This study examines the crucial role of social capital in dealing with conflicts arising from the transition from the tourism sector to mining in Pangkal Niur Village. This study used qualitative methods. The analysis results depict in-depth how social capital significantly mitigates conflicts between the tourism and mining sectors. The implications of this social capital are also highlighted in the context of modernization and globalization, especially concerning the local community in Pangkal Niur Village. Additionally, this research emphasizes the importance of social relationships in forming the basis of trust, cooperation, and community participation. In the context of post-mining land restoration efforts, sustainable actions are crucial to reduce environmental damage caused by such functional changes, especially in regions with significant mining sectors like Bangka Belitung. The findings of this research have broad implications, especially in environmental management and sustainable development. The study concludes that social capital can play a role in resolving conflicts, but continuous efforts are still needed to preserve the environment and enhance community well-being.

A Landscape Restoration Initiative Reverses Desertification with High Spatiotemporal Variability in the Hinterland of Northwest China

Although we are in an era of enormous global commitments to ecological restoration (the UN Decade on ER; the Bonn Challenge), little attention has been paid to the importance of sustained commitment to individual restoration initiatives and few resources have been dedicated to monitoring, especially the long-term and broad-scale evaluations that would allow us to understand how basin-scale restoration can result in complex spatiotemporal patterns. Remote sensing offers a powerful tool for evaluating restoration initiatives focused on water management in arid regions, where changes in vegetation growth can be tracked visually with measures like the generalized difference vegetation index (GDVI). In this paper, we evaluate the Comprehensive Treatment Program of the Shiyang River Basin (CTSRB), a landscape restoration initiative in China’s northwest, using a widely available remote sensing tool, showing how it can reveal the causes of fluctuating changes in restoration success. We focus on spatiotemporal variation, studying a time series from 2001 to 2020 using regression, trend, and stability analyses for six different divisions of the study region (the study area as a whole, the irrigated areas, the periphery of the irrigated regions, and the districts of Ba, Quanshan, and Hu) to evaluate the effects of the restoration initiative. The study period was divided into four equal-length phases based on the implementation timeline of the CTSRB, which includes one pre- and post-intervention interval and two stages of the CTSRB. We found that the CTSRB has played a positive role in the restoration of vegetation in the Minqin Basin, especially desert vegetation. However, the positive effects were not obvious in the first CTSRB period, which was characterized by a decline in vegetation growth likely caused by the strategy of “close the pumping-wells, transform the land”, which reversed a greening trend caused by the unsustainable irrigation of wasteland prior to the project’s initiation. During the second phase of the CTSRB, vegetation in the regions of “transform the land” gradually improved, and the growth of desert vegetation gradually improved and expanded as a result of more water flowing out of agricultural zones. The rate of vegetation recovery slowed down during the final phase of the CTSRB, and some areas even experienced a decline in the GDVI. Overall, our findings show that the CTSRB, by integrating water management and allowing for uninterrupted ecological restoration, drove complex regional changes in the GDVI, including successful restoration of desert vegetation. The spatiotemporal variable we observed underscores the importance of long-term commitment to arid land restoration initiatives and the importance of even longer-term monitoring using tools like remote sensing.

The Current Situation and Development Trend of Contaminated Land Restoration

In recent years, the situation of land pollution has become increasingly serious, exacerbating the contradiction between supply and demand of land resources, and seriously threatening the red line of arable land and food security. In order to alleviate conflicts, ensure the red line of arable land, protect food security, and increase construction land, it is necessary to combine government policy guidance and use engineering technology to turn polluted land into usable land. By consulting literature and studying the policy orientation of contaminated land, combined with the engineering and technical experience of contaminated land restoration in recent years, this paper explores and summarizes the current situation of contaminated land, the policy orientation and technical means of contaminated land restoration, and finally looks forward to the development trend of global contaminated land restoration technology.

Evaluation of clones of Eucalyptus planted in an experimental plot for Forest Landscape Restoration in Paraguay

The adoption of strategies involving the combination of Eucalyptus plantations with native species emerges as an effective alternative to mitigate the issues of deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation affecting native forests. Eucalyptus, in this context, presents itself as a species that offers a rapid economic return, making it an appealing resource for private landowners aiming to carry out land restoration processes. The aim of this study was to compare the growth in diameter at breast height, diameter at collar height, crown coverage area, and height of the Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake × Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill (clone i144) and Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake × Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Clone vm01) hybrids. The study was conducted in the district of Hernandarias, Alto Paraná Department, Paraguay. It was structured into 5 blocks and 2 treatments randomly distributed. Both treatments were selected for this study, with the first treatment consisting of a strip of eucalyptus for timber purposes, and the second treatment serving energy purposes. The design of each experimental unit comprised two major strips, one for conservation and the other for production. The focus of the study was on the second strip, which included 32 trees per experimental unit on treatment 1, and the second treatment, with 44 trees, covering an area of 1080 m2 per unit. The parameters evaluated for this study were as follows: diameter at collar height (DAC), total height (Ht), Diameter at breast height (DAP), and crown coverage area (ACP) over a 24-month plantation period. Statistically, no significant differences were found in the analyzed variables; on average, it was determined that the means were 1167.3 cm, 11 cm, 3.9 m2, 132.3 cm for Ht, DAP, ACP, and DAC, respectively.

Remote sensing reveals how armed conflict regressed woody vegetation cover and ecosystem restoration efforts in Tigray (Ethiopia)

In recent years, armed conflicts are globally on the rise, causing drastic human and environmental harm. The Tigray war in Ethiopia is one of the recent violent conflicts that has abruptly reversed decades of ecosystem restoration efforts. This paper analyzes changes in woody vegetation cover during the period of armed conflict (2020–2022) using remote sensing techniques, supplemented by field testimony and secondary data. Extent of woody vegetation cover was analyzed using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) thresholding method from Sentinel 2 images in Google Earth Engine, and scale of de-electrification was qualitatively analyzed from Black Marble HD nighttime lights dataset, acquired from NASA's Black Marble team. The magnitude, direction as well as the mechanisms of change in woody vegetation cover varied across the region and over time. Tigray's woody vegetation cover fluctuated within 20% of the landmass. Mainly scattered to mountainous areas, the dry Afromontane forest cover declined from about 17% in 2020 to 15% in 2021, and 12% in 2022. About 17% of the overall decline was observed between 500 m and 2000 m elevation, where there is higher anthropogenic pressure. Land restoration practices meant to avert land degradation and desertification were interrupted and the area turned warfare ground. In many areas, forests were burned, the trees cut and the area became barren. The suspension of public services such as electricity for household or industrial use created heavy reliance on firewood and charcoal, further threatening to compound weather and climate. The magnitude of disturbance in a region that is already at a very high risk of desertification requires urgent national and international attention. Continued ecosystem disturbance could eventually make the domain part of a wider desert connecting the Sahel to the Afar Triangle, a scenario which may render the area uninhabitable.

Co-cropping vetiver grass and legume for the phytoremediation of an acid mine drainage (AMD) impacted soil

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a form of environmental pollution from mining activity that can negatively affect soil environments by acidification, salinisation, and metal(loid) contamination. The use of plants to remediate (phytoremediation) these impacted environments while generating plant-based value is a promising approach to more accessible and cost-benefiting restoration of post-mining, marginal lands. In this study, a 3-month growth-chamber pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of co-cropping two plant species, Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver grass) and the legume Medicago truncatula (barrel clover) with a wheat straw biochar amendment on the phytostabilisation of metal(loid)s Cr, Zn, and As and the phytoextraction of rare earth element (REE) in an AMD impacted soil from a gold mining region in South Africa. The results showed that co-cropping with vetiver significantly lowered the legume's Cr, Zn, and As root contents by 80%, 32% and 54%, respectively, and improved the plant's overall metal(loid) tolerance by increasing its translocation from root to shoot tissue. The biochar further inhibited root uptake of Cr and Zn, by 71% and 36%, and increased the legume biomass by 40%. Both plant species and cropping treatments exhibited low REE extraction capabilities by shoot tissue, which accounted for less than 0.2% of total soil REE contents. The study shows that co-cropping with vetiver and biochar amendment are effective tools for the phytoremediation of AMD impacted soil mainly by lowering plant uptake and improving plant metal(loid) tolerance. Likely mechanisms at play include the alteration of rhizosphere chemistry and species-specific physiological and molecular responses. These effects offer support for the phytostabilisation of AMD impacted soil with the generation of plant-based value through dual (and safe) cultivation (phytoprotection) rather than through REE recovery from plant biomass (phytoextraction). These techniques could allow for the simultaneous restoration of post-mining, mining-impacted and marginal lands with agricultural production.

Response of soil aggregate disintegration to antecedent moisture during splash erosion

Soil aggregate breakdown is the initial stage of splash erosion. Preventing aggregate disintegration can effectively control the material source for sediment transport. The impact factors of aggregate disintegration have been partially studied, but the effect of soil moisture content on slaking and physico-chemical dispersion remains unclear. In this study, simulation tests of splash erosion were carried out on three sandy clay loam soils with different years of vegetation restoration (S1, S2 and S3 were 55, 80 and 100 years of reforestation and land restoration, respectively). Three rainfall heights (1.5 m, 2 m and 2.5 m) were used to simulate aggregate disintegration caused by different rainfall kinetic energies. Soil aggregates with five antecedent moisture contents (air drying, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %) were subjected to three different pretreatments: fast wetting (FW), slow wetting (SW) and shaking after prewetting (WS). It was found that the mean weight diameter in the fast wetting (MWDFW) treatment increased and then decreased with increasing moisture content. Aggregate sensitivity to slaking decreased with increasing moisture content. After rainfall, the macroaggregates content (>0.25 mm) increased and then decreased with increasing moisture content. In the S1 sample, the contribution of physico-chemical dispersion to splash erosion was dominant for increasing splash erosion rate at the moisture content of 15–20 %. The slaking contributed more to decreasing splash erosion rate with increasing moisture content in the S2 and S3 samples. This study clarifies the response of slaking and physico-chemical dispersion to moisture content, which is helpful for thoroughly understanding the disintegration mechanisms of soil aggregates.

Characterizing land use transition in China by accounting for the conflicts underlying land use structure and function

Human activities and global changes have undergone significant transformations in land systems. It is imperative to comprehend the intricacies of land use transitions (LUT), as they serve as indicators of the evolving dynamics within the complex human-environmental relationship. In this study, we adopt the conflict-coordination theoretical framework to delve into the role of land-use conflicts (LUC) in driving LUT. Our investigation involves the quantification of LUT and the assessment of LUC within China, spanning from 1980 to 2020. Subsequently, we scrutinized the interplay between LUT and LUC using Spearman correlation analysis and the Wilcoxon test. Our findings reveal that greater diversity in land-use structure can be attributed to ecological land fragmentation and the restoration of unused land, while the expansion of urban and cropland areas contributes to a less diverse land-use pattern. Furthermore, there is a discernible upward trend in land use function. Although the overall degree of LUC in China is relatively mild, there is a noticeable upward trajectory over the past four decades. More pronounced conflicts within land-use patterns promote a diversified land-use pattern, while conflicts arising from competing land-use functions elevate the level of land-use functionality. Moreover, a dynamic interplay between land-use transitions and conflicts becomes evident, with intense conflicts within land-use patterns weakening land-use functionality, and imbalances in functionality driving greater diversity in land-use patterns. Our research introduces an innovative analytical framework that elucidates LUT through the lens of LUC, with the potential for broader applicability across different regions. This framework not only enhances our understanding of LUT but also provides valuable scientific guidance for the effective management of conflicts to promote the sustainable development of land resources.

Soil extracellular enzyme activity reflects the change of nitrogen to phosphorus limitation of microorganisms during vegetation restoration in semi-arid sandy land of northern China

Soil extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) and enzyme stoichiometry are indicators of soil nutrient availability and microbial substrate limitation. However, the patterns in soil enzyme activities and stoichiometry, and their key drivers remain unclear during vegetation restoration in degraded sandy land. Here, soil ecosystems at five restoration stages of degraded sandy land were selected for investigation and we quantified the microbial nutrient limitation using EEA stoichiometry. The average C:N:P ratio for the nutrient-acquisition enzymes was 1:0.88:0.86, which differed from the global ratio of 1:1:1, indicating stronger microbial C limitation than N or P limitation. With vegetation restoration, the enzyme N:P ratio decreased, but the angle term used in vector analysis increased, indicating that the restored grassland transitioned from N-restricted (angle < 45°) to P-restricted (angle > 45°). Plant C inputs increased the soil nutrient content and significantly decreased the microbial C and N limitation but increased P limitation due to nutrient competition between plants and soil microorganisms. Decreased soil water levels caused by vegetation transpiration may have shifted the microbial limitation from N to P. The decreased fungi:bacteria ratio strengthened the microbial C and N or P limitations. On the basis of these findings, as measures to alleviate the associated nutrient limitations, we would recommend supplementation with phosphorus in the potential and slight stages of rocky desertification and the supplementary application of nitrogen in the moderate and severe stages during the restoration of degraded sandy ecosystems.

Promoting effects of soil C and N and limiting effect of soil P jointly determine the plant diversity during the aerial seeding restoration process in Mu Us sandy land, China.

Exploring the change and maintaining mechanism of plant diversity is of great significance for guiding the restoration of degraded ecosystems. However, how plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity change during long-term ecosystem restoration process and their driving factors remain unclear. Based on the 35-year time gradient of aerial seeding restoration in Mu Us sandy land, this study explored the changes in plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity and the driving factors. The results showed that plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity showed consistent response with the aerial seeding restoration, all of which increased first and then tended to a saturation state in the middle of restoration (14 years). TN, TOC, and NO3 --N increased with aerial seeding restoration and showed a significant positive correlation with plant diversity of the three dimensions, while AP showed a negative correlation. Soil nitrogen and carbon promoted the increase of diversity of three dimensions in the early restoration period, while phosphorus limited the increase of diversity of three dimensions in the middle and late restoration periods. The diversity of three dimensions was mainly affected by restoration time, soil nutrients, and climate factors, and the coupling effect of restoration time and soil nutrients was dominant. These findings indicate that the plant diversity in different dimensions and soil nutrients are improved by aerial seeding restoration. Our study highlights that aerial seeding restoration mainly improves plant diversity by increasing soil nutrients, and the relative effects of different soil nutrients on plant diversity during restoration are inconsistent.

Differences in seed characteristics, germination and seedling growth of Suaeda salsa grown in intertidal zone and on saline inland

The ecological restoration of saline land in the Yellow River Delta is essential for the sustainability of this region. Halophytic species, like Suaeda salsa, are critical for the restoration process. However, potential differences in traits of heteromorphic seeds collected from the intertidal zone and inland condition have been largely overlooked. The seeds were analyzed for hardness, nutrient elements, and secretions, while structural differences were observed under a stereomicroscope. Germination percentages of the different seed types and subsequent seedling growth were also recorded. Our study found that the black seeds from intertidal zone had the highest hardness when compared to the three other types of seeds. Nutrient analysis revealed that brown seeds had a higher iron (Fe) content than black seeds. Accordingly, brown seed embryos were greener compared to their black seed counterparts due to the iron’s role in chlorophyll synthesis. Our results also revealed that brown seeds secreted greater amounts of exudates than black seeds. Finally, both the intertidal brown seeds and the inland-grown brown seeds had higher germination percentages and better early seedling growth than the corresponding black seeds. The differential characteristics between dimorphic seeds and seedlings may influence their environmental adaptation in different saline environments.

Drivers of field-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity: Implications for restoring degraded tropical landscapes

Water security represents a major challenge in East Africa, affecting the livelihoods of millions of people and hindering sustainable development. Predicted increases in rainfall intensity and variability are expected to exacerbate water insecurity and land degradation. Improving soil infiltrability is an effective strategy for addressing water insecurity and land degradation. Research on soil infiltrability is often highly localized; therefore, scientific understanding of the drivers of infiltrability on larger spatial scales is limited. The aim of this study was to understand the main drivers of infiltrability across five contrasting landscapes in Kenya. We measured field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) in 257 plots and collected data for variables representing soil properties (sand content, soil organic carbon (SOC) and pH), land degradation (grazing pressure and presence of erosion), vegetation quantity (woody aboveground biomass), and vegetation quality (functional properties and diversity). We used generalized mixed-effects models to test for the effects of these variables on Kfs. Median Kfs for the five sites ranged between 23.8 and 101.8 mm h−1. We found that Kfs was positively associated with sand content (standardized effect 0.39), SOC content (0.15), and functional diversity of woody vegetation (0.09), while it had a negative relationship with the presence of erosion (−0.24) and grazing pressure (−0.09). Subsequently, we conclude that infiltrability can be enhanced through using land restoration strategies which specifically target parameters that affect Kfs. The results further support that Kfs is not solely dictated by inherent soil properties, and that management interventions which boost SOC, reduce erosion, and minimize unsustainable grazing can help address water scarcity by restoring soil hydrological function.

Frugivore-mediated seed dispersal in fragmented landscapes: Compositional and functional turnover from forest to matrix.

Seed dispersal by frugivores is a fundamental function for plant community dynamics in fragmented landscapes, where forest remnants are typically embedded in a matrix of anthropogenic habitats. Frugivores can mediate both connectivity among forest remnants and plant colonization of the matrix. However, it remains poorly understood how frugivore communities change from forest to matrix due to the loss or replacement of species with traits that are less advantageous in open habitats and whether such changes ultimately influence the composition and traits of dispersed plants via species interactions. Here, we close this gap by using a unique dataset of seed-dispersal networks that were sampled in forest patches and adjacent matrix habitats of seven fragmented landscapes across Europe. We found a similar diversity of frugivores, plants, and interactions contributing to seed dispersal in forest and matrix, but a high turnover (replacement) in all these components. The turnover of dispersed seeds was smaller than that of frugivore communities because different frugivore species provided complementary seed dispersal in forest and matrix. Importantly, the turnover involved functional changes toward larger and more mobile frugivores in the matrix, which dispersed taller, larger-seeded plants with later fruiting periods. Our study provides a trait-based understanding of frugivore-mediated seed dispersal through fragmented landscapes, uncovering nonrandom shifts that can have cascading consequences for the composition of regenerating plant communities. Our findings also highlight the importance of forest remnants and frugivore faunas for ecosystem resilience, demonstrating a high potential for passive forest restoration of unmanaged lands in the matrix.

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Suaeda salsa (Linn.) Pall. (Amaranthaceae) Demonstrate Varying Salinity Tolerance among Different Provenances.

Salinity is a pressing and widespread abiotic stress, adversely affecting agriculture productivity and plant growth worldwide. Seed germination is the most critical stage to seedling growth and establishing plant species in harsh environments, including saline stress. However, seed germination characteristics and stress tolerance may vary among geographical locations, such as various provenances. Suaeda salsa (Linn.) Pall. (S. salsa) is a halophytic plant that exhibits high salt tolerance and is often considered a pioneer species for the restoration of grasslands. Understanding the germination characteristics and stress tolerance of the species could be helpful in the vegetation restoration of saline-alkali land. In this study, we collected S. salsa seeds from seven different saline-alkali habitats (S1-S7) in the Songnen Plain region to assess the germination and seedling growth responses to NaCl, Na2CO3, and NaHCO3, and to observe the recovery of seed germination after relieving the salt stress. We observed significant differences in germination and seedling growth under three salt stresses and among seven provenances. Resistance to Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 stress was considerably higher during seedling growth than seed germination, while the opposite responses were observed for NaCl resistance. Seeds from S1 and S7 showed the highest tolerance to all three salt stress treatments, while S6 exhibited the lowest tolerance. Seeds from S2 exhibited low germination under control conditions, while low NaCl concentration and pretreatment improved germination. Ungerminated seeds under high salt concentrations germinated after relieving the salt stress. Germination of ungerminated seeds after the abatement of salt stress is an important adaptation strategy for black S. salsa seeds. While seeds from most provenances regerminated under NaCl, under Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, only seeds from S4 and S7 regerminated. These findings highlight the importance of soil salinity in the maternal environment for successful seed germination and seedling growth under various salinity-alkali stresses. Therefore, seed sources and provenance should be considered for vegetation restoration.

Bacillus cereus G2 Facilitates N Cycle in Soil, Further Improves N Uptake and Assimilation, and Accelerates Proline and Glycine Betaine Metabolisms of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Subjected to Salt Stress.

Soil salinity is a severe abiotic stress that reduces crop productivity. Recently, there has been growing interest in the application of microbes, mainly plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), as inoculants for saline land restoration and plant salinity tolerance. Herein, the effects of the plant endophyte G2 on regulating soil N cycle, plant N uptake and assimilate pathways, proline and glycine betaine biosynthesis, and catabolic pathways were investigated in Glycyrrhiza uralensis exposed to salinity. The results indicated that G2 improved the efficiency of N absorption and assimilation of plants by facilitating soil N cycling. Then, G2 promoted the synthesis substrates of proline and glycine betaine and accelerated its synthesis rate, which increased the relative water content and reduced the electrolyte leakage, eventually protecting the membrane system caused by salt stress in G. uralensis. These findings will provide a new idea from soil to plant systems in a salinity environment.

Social Capital Dynamics in Resolving Transition Conflict: Tourism to Mining in Pangkal Niur Village

This study explores the pivotal role of social capital in managing conflicts during the transition from tourism to mining in Pangkal Niur Village. Using qualitative methods within a descriptive research framework, this study interviewed diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, the village government, tourism sector representatives, and opponents of this shift. Employing purposive sampling and inductive analysis, our findings reveal the significant role of social capital in mitigating conflicts between the tourism and mining sectors, particularly in the context of modernization and globalization. This holds profound implications for Pangkal Niur’s local community. The study underscores that social relationships form the basis for trust, cooperation, and community involvement, crucial for post- mining land restoration efforts. In regions with a significant mining sector like Bangka Belitung, these findings are highly relevant, emphasizing social capital as a catalyst for conflict resolution, promoting sustainable practices, safeguarding the environment, and enhancing community well-being in environmental management and sustainable development.