Natural Expansion Research Articles

To Plant or Not to Plant: When can Planting Facilitate Mangrove Restoration?

Global change processes such as sea level rise and the increasing frequency of severe storms threaten many coastlines around the world and trigger the need for interventions to make these often densely-populated areas safer. Mangroves could be implemented in Nature-Based Flood Defense, provided that we know how to conserve and restore these ecosystems at those locations where they are most needed. In this study, we investigate how best to restore mangroves along an aquaculture coast that is subject to land-subsidence, comparing two common mangrove restoration methods: 1) mangrove restoration by planting and 2) Ecological Mangrove Restoration (EMR); the assistance of natural mangrove regeneration through mangrove habitat restoration. Satellite data revealed that historically, landward mangrove expansion into the active pond zone has mainly occurred through mangrove planting on pond bunds. However, there is potential to create greenbelts along waterways by means of EMR measures, as propagule trap data from the field revealed that propagules of pioneer species were up to 21 times more abundant in creeks of the pond zone than near their source in the coastal zone. This was especially true during the prevailing onshore winds of the wet-season, suggesting that smart seasonal sluice gate management could help to efficiently trap seeds in target ponds. In the coastal zone, field experiments showed that permeable brushwood dams, aimed at expanding mangrove habitat, could not sufficiently overcome subsidence rates to increase natural mangrove expansion in the seaward direction, but did significantly increase the survival of already established (planted) seedlings compared to more wave-exposed sites. The survival and growth rate of EMR-supported plantings greatly varied between species. Out of the four planted species, Rhizophora mucronata had the highest survival (67%) but the lowest growth rate. Whereas the pioneer species Avicennia alba and Avicennia marina had lower survival rates (resp. 35 and 21%), but significantly higher growth rates, even resulting in fruiting young trees within a 16-month timeframe. Overall, we conclude that 1) EMR has potential in the pond zone, given that propagules were observed to reach well into the backwaters; and 2) that mangrove recovery in the coastal zone may be facilitated even at very challenging coastal sites by combining EMR with the planting of pioneer species.

Electric power generation technology of natural gas pressure reduction: Insights from black box-gray box hierarchical exergy analysis and evaluation method

Based on the “three box” exergy analysis model, a black box-gray box hierarchical exergy analysis and evaluation method is put forward in this paper, which is applied to evaluate the power generation technology of differential pressure produced by natural gas expansion. By using the exergy analysis theory, the black box - gray box hierarchical exergy analysis models of three differential pressure power generation technologies are established respectively. Firstly, the “black box” analysis models of main energy consuming equipment are established, and then the “gray box” analysis model of the total system is established. Based on the calculation results of exergy analysis indexes, the weak energy consumption equipment in the whole power generation process is accurately located. Taking a gas field in southwest China as an example, the comprehensive energy consumption evaluation of the three power generation technologies is carried out, and the technology with the best energy consumption condition among the three technologies is determined. Finally, the rationalization improvement measures are put forward from improving the air tightness, replacing the deflector and reducing the flow loss.

Optimizing opportunities for oak woodland expansion into upland pastures

Abstract Woodland expansion is widely advocated for the mitigation of climate change and its impacts. This is supported by ambitious targets for increasing tree cover in the United Kingdom and elsewhere to aid carbon storage, flood mitigation and biodiversity provision. However, it remains unclear whether natural tree establishment can supply demand for expanded treescapes in remote, anthropogenically modified upland landscapes. We assessed natural establishment of NW‐European native oak (Quercus robur, Q. petraea) saplings (< 12 years) in UK upland pasture systems adjacent to established ‘Atlantic’ oak woodlands on Dartmoor, SW England. We compared the extent of natural sapling colonization (abundance) into pasture sites on the moorland fringe and assessed their survival and growth throughout early life history using long‐ and short‐term grazing exclusion experiments. Natural oak establishment typically occurred on naturally freely draining pasture slopes and at high densities (up to 1900 saplings per ha–1) within 20 m of the nearest adult congeneric. Beyond 20 m from a likely seed source, establishment was limited with no recorded establishment between 75–100 m. The natural establishment of oak saplings in grazed pastures was specific to ontogeny with livestock exclusion only favouring the density of older recruits (8–12 years). Results suggest an age‐dependent relationship between ground cover and sapling performance; that is positive association between bare‐ground and height for 4–7 year old trees, but little effect for seedlings and younger (0–3 years) saplings. Our scoping study highlights that with informed livestock management, there is significant opportunity for natural expansion of oak woodland into upland pastures where existing propagule sources are present (woodland edge, isolated trees). We signpost, however, that rapid expansion of oak woodland into UK uplands for climate mitigation is likely to require targeted planting and temporary grazing cessation, and there is need for improved evaluation of the effects of grazer exclosure and ontogeny specific ecology to better facilitate native woodland expansion efforts.

Characteristics Analysis of Urban Space Expansion in Luoyang, China

The characteristics of urban space expansion reflect the changes of urban space layout and space structure, as well as the urban developing direction and urban orientation in the future. Based on the remote sensing image data of 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020, this paper analyzes the urban space expansion characteristics of Luoyang, by using the urban land compaction index, expansion intensity index and centroid distribution in 4 time sections and 3 periods. The results show that: 1) the urban land area of Luoyang has expanded rapidly, the urban planning policy has successfully guided the urban expansion. 2) In the first period, the urban expansion belongs to the rapid expansion type, mainly filling the built-up area and natural expansion to outward; the second period is of high-speed expansion type, the urban expansion mainly enlarges the urban framework, then fills the expanded district, and the influence of urban natural growth factor is very small; the third period belongs to the high-speed expansion type, and the expansion rate is significantly lower than that in the second period, the urban expansion is mainly to fill in the urban framework enlarged in the previous period and continue to enlarge the urban framework, and the influence of urban natural growth factor is very little. 3) The urban land centroid gradually migrates to the southeast with the azimuth of 151.47°, the annual migration distance is of 138.29 m. The migration rate in the second period is the fastest, which is about 7.43 times that of the first period, and 2.70 times that of the third period. In the first period, the urban land is mainly expanded to southward, with the main azimuth of 201.13°. Compared with the urban land centroid in 2000, the urban land in the second period mainly expands to east-southeast and southward along the azimuths of 141.92° and 154.17° respectively. Compared with the urban centroid in 2010, the urban land in the third period mainly expands in the orientations of southeast and eastward along the azimuth of 96.24° and 133.45°.

Ways to expand presidential competence

The article analyzes the main directions (they can be called forms) in which the competence of the president is expanded in the system of presidentialism. Expansion of the competence of other public-power institutions is also possible, but (for various reasons) not to such an extent. The increase in the power of the president’s powers does not contradict the Constitution by itself. On the contrary, any state occasionally finds itself in situations where unconventional decisions and methods are needed. And this is mainly expected of the president, who is elected in a general election and occupies a central place in the system of state authorities. However, the natural expansion of presidential competence poses the danger of an authoritarian evolution of the head of state. It is therefore necessary to look particularly closely at what new powers the president acquires in the course of expanding his competence.

Forest Transition and Metropolitan Transformations in Developed Countries: Interpreting Apparent and Latent Dynamics with Local Regression Models

Metropolitan fringes in Southern Europe preserve, under different territorial contexts, natural habitats, relict woodlands, and mixed agro-forest systems acting as a sink of biodiversity and ecosystem services in ecologically vulnerable landscapes. Clarifying territorial and socioeconomic processes that underlie land-use change in metropolitan regions is relevant for forest conservation policies. At the same time, long-term dynamics of fringe forests in the northern Mediterranean basin have been demonstrated to be rather mixed, with deforestation up to the 1950s and a subsequent recovery more evident in recent decades. The present study makes use of Forest Transition Theory (FTT) to examine spatial processes of forest loss and expansion in metropolitan Rome, Central Italy, through local regressions elaborating two diachronic land-use maps that span more than 80 years (1936–2018) representative of different socioeconomic and ecological conditions. Our study evaluates the turnaround from net forest area loss to net forest area gain, considering together the predictions of the FTT and those of the City Life Cycle (CLC) theory that provides a classical description of the functioning of metropolitan cycles. The empirical findings of our study document a moderate increase in forest cover depending on the forestation of previously abandoned cropland as a consequence of tighter levels of land protection. Natural and human-driven expansion of small and isolated forest nuclei along fringe land was demonstrated to fuel a polycentric expansion of woodlands. The results of a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) reveal the importance of metropolitan growth in long-term forest expansion. Forest–urban dynamics reflect together settlement sprawl and increased forest disturbance. The contemporary expansion of fringe residential settlements and peri-urban forests into relict agricultural landscapes claims for a renewed land management that may reconnect town planning, reducing the intrinsic risks associated with fringe woodlands (e.g., wildfires) with environmental policies preserving the ecological functionality of diversified agro-forest systems.

Status and habitat description of the globally threatened Udzungwa Forest PartridgeXenoperdix udzungwensisthirty years after discovery

SummaryThe Udzungwa Forest PartridgeXenoperdix udzungwensiswas discovered in 1991 in the geologically old and eco-climatically stable Udzungwa Mountains (hereafter the Udzungwas) in Tanzania - a global biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Arc Mountains of East Africa. The partridge is categorised as globally ‘Endangered’ and this study aims at assessing its population status and habitat requirements in the two separate montane forests where it was discovered c.30 years ago and for the first time using systematic playback technique. We estimate the partridge population at c.2,800 individuals (1,680–3,860) confined to less than 150 km2and now confined to a single forest and with a clearly declining distribution within the last few decades since its discovery. The species is confined to evergreen closed (semi-closed) canopy forest habitat with leaf litter and sedges on the forest floor for feeding and cover. The partridge has become an emblem for the high concentration of endemic species of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. At the same time there is a risk that this species could go extinct without notice if the Tanzanian authorities do not tackle two envisaged main drivers, namely fragmentation of the evergreen forest area over the last few centuries and current illegal hunting. Hence it seems crucial to allow natural expansion of its forest habitat in the Udzungwas and to eliminate hunting in the other forest within its recently known distribution where the population has presumably been extirpated. The partridge is remarkable as its closest relatives are in South-east Asia and it is used as a flagship species for the Udzungwas, which has one of the highest concentrations of endemic species on earth.

A window of opportunity: a recent exotic palm invader can still be eradicated in an Atlantic Forest Protected Area

Exotic palms are introduced as ornamental all over the world, with some of them become invasive. Here, we characterize the population status and the stage of invasion of the exotic palm Caryota urens in an Atlantic Forest Protected Area, southeastern Brazil. Palms were sampled in 2019 and 2020, in fifteen 10 x 10 m plots, placed from an alley of planted reproductive palms. All individuals inside plots were marked and classified in ontogenetic stages. The number of sampled individuals was 110 in 2019 and 114 in 2020; palms were recorded in six plots in 2019 (the furthest 330 m from the alley) and in eight plots in 2020 (the furthest 420 m from the alley). In 2020, most palms were on the earlier ontogenetic stages (seedlings and infants, 86 %), but we also recorded juveniles (10.5 %) and immatures (3.5 %), values similar to those found in 2019. The population structure observed and the natural expansion of the species inside the forest indicate that the palm has successfully established in the area and has become invasive. Management actions should be taken urgently in an attempt to contain the spreading to new locations or eradicate this palm from this protected area.

Genetic structure of Eurasian beaver in Romania: insights after two decades from the reintroduction

Once exploited for fur, meat, and extracting the yellowish exudate called castoreum, the Eurasian beaver disappeared from Romania during the eighteenth century. After, the reintroductions carried out two decades ago are currently thriving in the Danube River basin. Using nine nSSR markers, we analysed samples from 98 individuals, and we found no genetic substructure, suggesting high dispersal and gene flow capabilities. The stepwise mutation model (SMM) indicated the existence of a recent genetic bottleneck, though the Eurasian beaver retains high levels of genetic diversity and population growth facilitated variation in nSSR loci. A fine-scale spatial correlation in females was detected, contrasting with males’ dispersal on longer distances. While the movement and establishment of individuals’ new territories were made under natural predation pressure, the mix following natural expansion improved the fitness and could contribute to a higher genetic diversity than the source population. With any reintroduction, a focus on capturing individuals from various geographic origins, as well as securing many and suitable founding individuals (adults, subadults, and juveniles) with mixed origins, could secure the post-genetic bottleneck recovery and higher genetic diversity. Beyond this conservation success, future management strategies should consider building a National Action Plan (NAP) for the species, including a permanent genetic monitoring programme for Eurasian beaver.

Coupling Cellular Automata and a Genetic Algorithm to Generate a Vibrant Urban Form-A Case Study of Wuhan, China.

Enhancing urban vitality is a key goal for both the government and ordinary urban residents, and creating this vitality is emphasized in China’s urban development strategy. Enhancing urban vitality through the rational design of urban forms is a leading topic of Western urban research. An urban growth pattern (UGP) reflects the dual characteristics of a static pattern and the dynamic evolution of the external urban form. It affects urban vitality by influencing the spatial allocation of internal structural elements and patterns in the adjacent location. The cellular automata (CA) mode can effectively simulate the aggregation process of urban growth (infilling expansion or edge expansion). However, it does not simulate the diffusion of urban growth, specifically the evolution of outlying expansion. In addition, CA focuses on learning, simulating, and building knowledge about geographic processes, but does not spatially optimize collaborative land use against multiple objectives or model multi-scale land use. As such, this paper applies a coupling model called the “promoting urban vitality model,” based on cellular automata (CA) and genetic algorithm (GA) (abbreviated as UV-CAGA). UV-CAGA optimally allocates cells with different UGPs, creating a city form that promotes urban vitality. Wuhan, the largest city in Central China, was selected as a case study to simulate and optimize its urban morphology for 2025. The main findings were as follows. (1) The urban vitality of the optimized urban form scheme was 4.8% higher than the simulated natural expansion scheme. (2) Compared to 2015, after optimization, the simulated sizes of the newly increased outlying, edge, and infilling areas in 2025 were 6.51 km2, 102.69 km2, and 23.48 km2, respectively; these increases accounted for 4.90%, 77.32%, and 17.68%, respectively, of the newly increased construction land area. This indicated that Wuhan is expected to have a very compact urban form. (3) The infilling expansion type resulted in the highest average urban vitality level (0.215); the edge expansion type had the second highest level (0.206); outlying growth achieved the lowest vitality level (0.199). The UV-CAGA model proposed in this paper improves on existing geographical process simulation and spatial optimization models. The study successfully couples the “bottom-up” CA model and “top-down” genetic algorithm to generate dynamic urban form optimization simulations. This significantly improves upon traditional CA models, which do not simulate the “diffusion” process. At the same time, the spatial optimization framework of the genetic algorithm in the model also provides insights related to other effects related to urban form optimization, such as urban environmental security, commuting, and air pollution. The integration of related research is expected to enrich and improve urban planning tools and improve the topic’s scientific foundation.

Connection among Stochastic Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman Equation, Path-Integral, and Koopman Operator on Nonlinear Stochastic Optimal Control

The path-integral control, which stems from the stochastic Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, is one of the methods to control stochastic nonlinear systems. This paper gives a new insight into nonlinear stochastic optimal control problems from the perspective of Koopman operators. When a finite-dimensional dynamical system is nonlinear, the corresponding Koopman operator is linear. Although the Koopman operator is infinite-dimensional, adequate approximation makes it tractable and useful in some discussions and applications. Employing the Koopman operator perspective, it is clarified that only a specific type of observable is enough to be focused on in the control problem. This fact becomes easier to understand via path-integral control. Furthermore, the focus on the specific observable leads to a natural power-series expansion; coupled ordinary differential equations for discrete-state space systems are derived. A demonstration for nonlinear stochastic optimal control shows that the derived equations work well.

Occurrence of Golden Topminnow, Fundulus chrysotus, in the San Marcos River, Texas

Within the western extent of its range, Fundulus chrysotus (Golden Topminnow) is generally restricted to coastal drainages of Texas, with few reported occurrences inland. We report a new record of Golden Topminnow in the upper San Marcos River of Texas. The occurrence of Golden Topminnow could represent a natural range expansion or incidental introduction to the area. Future monitoring of the population within the San Marcos River (Guadalupe River basin) is needed to confirm if the species becomes established.

Sub-ppm/°C Bandgap References With Natural Basis Expansion for Curvature Cancellation

A general approach based on a natural basis function expansion to cancel the temperature-curvature of the base-emitter voltage in the bipolar transistors embedded in bandgap references is presented. The proposed method can be applied to the widely used Banba, Kuijk, and Brokaw structures to build references with sub-ppm/°C temperature coefficients. Current version and voltage version embodiments based on a self-bootstrapping concept are provided. Error sources that can potentially affect the reference performance are analyzed and their effects on the temperature coefficient are minimized after trimming. Monte Carlo simulation results confirm that after calibration, temperature drift performance is within the design/trimming target 0.5 ppm/°C. A partially integrated Kuijk-based prototype reference has been designed and fabricated in a 65nm UMC process. Measurement results demonstrated a 1.5 ppm/°C temperature coefficient over a temperature range of 0 °C to 80 °C with a low-cost two-temperature trimming method. With additional trimming, 0.8 ppm/°C performance was achieved.

Determination of Suitable Areas for Establishment of Sports-City in Iraq's Center Using an Integrated Fuzzy Logic Algorithm and Geomatic Techniques

In recent times, many cities have clustered new sports infrastructures in concentrated areas to create a sports city. Al Hillah City as one of the biggest cities in the center of Iraq, because of many components' countryside relocation and natural expansion of population, and other has been distinguished; extreme population expansion and lastly evolution in need of planning in some inner-city areas and places. Consequently, designated areas in terms of premier spatial allocation and appropriate location for users of general services; sports services that are rapid, on time, and at ease access to them are essential that are not considered. A small- scale recognition has spent on critical aspects of sports utilization for land measure and appropriately locating. This issue has been minimized the premier performance of these spaces and creates problems for the city and its citizens. The premier performance of these spaces has been minimized because of the above-mentioned issue, which creates difficulties for the city and its residents. This research conducted based on the integration between Fuzzy logic algorithm and GIS techniques, spatial analysis tools in ArcGIS software were utilized to implement this method. The results showed that the most suitable areas include three areas that are located on the north-west and the south of the study area. On the other hand, the largest area located on the north-west location respect to Al-Hillah city, the center of Babylon Province, which is considered the proposed area to construct sports city. This study will be useful for decision-makers and stockholders by reducing cost, time, and efforts through decreasing field works.

Numerical Simulation of Turbine Expander in Natural Gas Pressure Energy Power Generation System

In this paper, the numerical simulation method is used to study the aerodynamic characteristics of the runoff turbine expander, the key equipment in the natural gas pressure energy recovery power generation system. The geometric structure of the turbine expander under the condition of sub-high pressure natural gas expansion was designed and the flow characteristics of the internal flow field during its operation were obtained by numerical simulation. It is found that the expansion process of fluid in the runoff turbine expander mainly occurs in the guide vane channel and the inlet section of the rotor channel. The turbine expander designed in this paper can well meet the working requirements under design conditions, and the flow in the whole channel is good. When the flow channel in the moving impeller changes from radial to axial, the flow field is complex and there is a poor flow. The research results of this paper provide a reference for the design and optimization of runoff turbine expander in natural gas pressure energy power generation system.

Long-Term Projections of the Natural Expansion of the Pine Wood Nematode in the Iberian Peninsula

The invasive pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, causal agent of pine wilt disease, was first reported in Europe, near Lisbon, in 1999, and has since then spread to most of Portugal. We here modelled the spatiotemporal patterns of future PNW natural spread in the Iberian Peninsula, as dispersed by the vector beetle Monochamus galloprovincialis, using a process-based and previously validated network model. We improved the accuracy, informative content, forecasted period and spatial drivers considered in previous modelling efforts for the PWN in Southern Europe. We considered the distribution and different susceptibility to the PWN of individual pine tree species and the effect of climate change projections on environmental suitability for PWN spread, as we modelled the PWN expansion dynamics over the long term (>100 years). We found that, in the absence of effective containment measures, the PWN will spread naturally to the entire Iberian Peninsula, including the Pyrenees, where it would find a gateway for spread into France. The PWN spread will be relatively gradual, with an average rate of 0.83% of the total current Iberian pine forest area infected yearly. Climate was not found to be an important limiting factor for long-term PWN spread, because (i) there is ample availability of alternative pathways for PWN dispersal through areas that are already suitable for the PWN in the current climatic conditions; and (ii) future temperatures will make most of the Iberian Peninsula suitable for the PWN before the end of this century. Unlike climate, the susceptibility of different pine tree species to the PWN was a strong determinant of PWN expansion through Spain. This finding highlights the importance of accounting for individual tree species data and of additional research on species-specific susceptibility for more accurate modelling of PWN spread and guidance of related containment efforts.

Analysis and optimization of a natural gas multi-stage expansion plant integrated with a gas engine-driven heat pump

Excessive preheating energy consumption is a persistent issue in natural gas expansion power plants. In this paper, a novel system is proposed to solve this problem by using multi-stage expansion and gas engine-driven heat pumps (GHP). A dynamic model based on phase equilibrium theory is established to predict hydrate formation. A control strategy with continuously variable transmission (CVT) for optimizing engine efficiency is investigated through simulation and experiment. Finally, the efficiency and economic performance are compared among GHP, electric heat pump (EHP), and cogeneration (CHP) in a case study. The results show that the engine efficiency of CVT is 4.89% higher than that for multi-level transmission. Compared to single-stage expansion, multi-stage design can reduce preheating temperature by 46%, preheating load by 4.41%, and improve the performance coefficient (COP) of GHP 1.4-fold. The COP of GHP is 33.38% higher than that of EHP, and the primary energy ratio (PER) is 1.81 times that of CHP accordingly. The annual average profit margin for GHP is 1.89 times that of CHP and 7.15 times that of EHP. Thus, the proposed system has significant energy savings and economic advantages.

Planning natural gas networks and storage in emerging countries – an application to Brazil

Some emerging countries, such as Brazil, have large remaining natural gas resources but relatively poor infrastructure to monetize it. When most of the natural gas extraction derives from associated gas, this results in high reinjection rates in production fields combined with fuel imports also to deal with an increasingly variable demand. This study test the hypothesis that modeling the natural gas transportation network expansion with Underground gas Storage (UGS) is crucial, as UGS can reduce transportation costs by better fitting natural gas supply and demand. Without UGS chances are that network expansion will be based in oversized pipelines, or pipelines often challenged by peaking demands. Therefore, this study emulated a real natural gas transport network in a thermo-hydraulic model, aiming at diagnosing its bottlenecks mainly caused by demand intermittency, and pointing out infrastructure solutions. Findings indicated the design of UGS associated with new pipelines as a problem-solver for network bottlenecks, under a least-cost approach. This option reduced idleness and lowered gas transmission costs by 60%. In addition, it increased the network operation reliability and created a virtuous cycle, where a better planning reduces the gas tariffs and spur infrastructure expansion by raising the fuel competitiveness.

Simulation of Lanzhou urban land expansion based on multi-agent model

Using the four periods of land use data and socio-economic statistics of Lanzhou City in 1995, 2005, 2015 and 2018, we examined the evolution characteristics and driving forces of urban land use in Lanzhou, with expansion intensity index, Logistic regression, and principal component analysis method. Based on the multi-agent model, the expansion of urban land use in Lanzhou under multiple scenarios in 2025 was simulated using Netlogo software. The results showed that the intensity and scale of urban land expansion in Lanzhou City from 1995 to 2018 showed an increasing trend, with a total of 307 km2 of cultivated land and water area. The expansion of urban land in Lanzhou City was significantly related to regional GDP, social fixed asset investment, population density, population, policy, and terrain. The multi-agent model on the Netlogo software could simulate the expansion trend of urban land in Lanzhou, which provided a reliable simulation method for the expansion of valley-type cities. From 2020 to 2025, urban land use under the comprehensive development scenario, natural expansion development scenario, ecological and farmland protection development scenario all showed an increasing trend. The scale of expansion would range between 42.6-134.3 km2. The expansion mode would mainly be infilled expansion. Our results could provide decision support for the land space planning and ecological environment layout optimization for Lanzhou City.

Restoration of biogeomorphic systems by creating windows of opportunity to support natural establishment processes.

In degraded landscapes, recolonization by pioneer vegetation is often halted by the presence of persistent environmental stress. When natural expansion does occur, it is commonly due to the momentary alleviation of a key environmental variable previously limiting new growth. Thus, studying the circumstances in which expansion occurs can inspire new restoration techniques, wherein vegetation establishment is provoked by emulating natural events through artificial means. Using the salt‐marsh pioneer zone on tidal flats as a biogeomorphic model system, we explore how locally raised sediment bed forms, which are the result of natural (bio)geomorphic processes, enhance seedling establishment in an observational study. We then conduct a manipulative experiment designed to emulate these facilitative conditions in order to enable establishment on an uncolonized tidal flat. Here, we attempt to generate raised growth‐promoting sediment bed forms using porous artificial structures. Flume experiments demonstrate how these structures produce a sheltered hydrodynamic environment in which suspended sediment and seeds preferentially settle. The application of these structures in the field led to the formation of stable, raised sediment platforms and the spontaneous recruitment of salt‐marsh pioneers in the following growing season. These recruits were composed primarily of the annual pioneering Salicornia genus, with densities of up to 140 individuals/m2 within the structures, a 60‐fold increase over ambient densities. Lower abundances of five other perennial species were found within structures that did not appear elsewhere in the pioneer zone. Furthermore, recruits grew to be on average three times greater in mass inside of the structures than in the neighboring ambient environment. The success of this restoration design may be attributed to the combination of three factors: (1) enhanced seed retention, (2) suppressed mortality, and (3) accelerated growth rates on the elevated surfaces generated by the artificial structures. We argue that restoration approaches similar to the one shown here, wherein the conditions for natural establishment are actively mimicked to promote vegetation development, may serve as promising tools in many biogeomorphic ecosystems, ranging from coastal to arid ecosystems.