Opportunities For Restoration Research Articles

Ecological restoration efforts in tropical rural landscapes: Challenges and policy implications in a highly degraded region

Ecological restoration has received increasing attention as international agreements have set ambitious goals to mitigate environmental change and reshape degraded landscapes. However, current restoration activities sometimes remain modest in their success. In particular, tropical forest restoration has had mixed outcomes with variable cost-efficiency. Here, we address the need for taking into account the spatial context of restoration to inform policy initiatives that aim to improve the ecological and economic effectiveness of restoration. We accessed the spatial distribution of relevant characteristics for ecological restoration in an emblematic heavily degraded tropical region: São Paulo state, Brazil. We compared statewide patterns in soil erosion risk, distance to remnant habitat, and agricultural land use, to their characteristics in land voluntarily offered for active restoration. Based on this comparison, active restoration is likely to take place through small, low-priced parcels of land, usually in the context of substantial soil erosion risk and exacerbated deforestation. Restoration ecology predicts the need for expensive actions to assist a limited recovery process in such highly degraded conditions. This general pattern also suggests the necessity for long-term commitment among a broad set of social actors, combined to mitigation of degradation in adjacent remnants and agricultural lands. Active restoration may be complemented by spontaneous regeneration in areas with less adverse conditions. Policy makers therefore need to consider the complementarity of lands voluntarily offered for restoration, and land made available for restoration through other mechanisms. Our findings, likely applicable to other densely populated tropical regions, suggest that land-use policies need to address drivers of restoration success at a fine-scale to enable effective strategies. We suggest this can be achieved by spatial analyses that incorporate biophysical features that determine restoration opportunities and the likelihood of success.

Quantifying species recovery and conservation success to develop an IUCN Green List of Species.

Stopping declines in biodiversity is critically important, but it is only a first step toward achieving more ambitious conservation goals. The absence of an objective and practical definition of species recovery that is applicable across taxonomic groups leads to inconsistent targets in recovery plans and frustrates reporting and maximization of conservation impact. We devised a framework for comprehensively assessing species recovery and conservation success. We propose a definition of a fully recovered species that emphasizes viability, ecological functionality, and representation; and use counterfactual approaches to quantify degree of recovery. This allowed us to calculate a set of 4 conservation metrics that demonstrate impacts of conservation efforts to date (conservation legacy); identify dependence of a species on conservation actions (conservation dependence); quantify expected gains resulting from conservation action in the medium term (conservation gain); and specify requirements to achieve maximum plausible recovery over the long term (recovery potential). These metrics can incentivize the establishment and achievement of ambitious conservation targets. We illustrate their use by applying the framework to a vertebrate, an invertebrate, and a woody and an herbaceous plant. Our approach is a preliminary framework for an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Species, which was mandated by a resolution of IUCN members in 2012. Although there are several challenges in applying our proposed framework to a wide range of species, we believe its further development, implementation, and integration with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species will help catalyze a positive and ambitious vision for conservation that will drive sustained conservation action.

Measuring and evaluating ecological flows from streams to regions: Steps towards national coverage

Abstract Living aquatic communities are largely determined and maintained by the volume and quality of flowing waters, both within lotic systems and in receiving waters of coastal systems. However, flow is one of the most frequently and extensively altered features of rivers and streams; alteration effects are likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Lotic systems vary and different fish species need different environmental conditions, and distinct problems are evident at various spatial scales. New synoptic flow and biological information now make it possible to evaluate the effects of altered flows throughout the Great Lakes Region at scales from the stream reach to the Region. We used estimates of river and streamflow and observed fish abundances to develop tools that specify the response of fish to alterations in those flows. We fit the logistic model to a cumulative fish abundance curve as a function of yield providing an empirical means to develop models of the response of cumulative fish abundance to flows. Response zones of yield for each species in each system type (based on size and thermal class) illustrate how criteria may be developed that can be used in decision‐making for management of flows. In our example application, we evaluate both the general response of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) abundances (and fish diversity) to changes in flows and assess the sensitivity of each stream fish community to flow alteration. Mapping stream sensitivity to flow alteration throughout the US Great Lakes Region with a multiscale spatial framework showed how regional variability in sensitivity for any fish species or assemblage may be evaluated and provides managers with information to help determine where the best opportunities for protection or restoration of streamflows and associated communities exist. These results provide valuable tools and critical information to managers responsible for balancing water uses and maintaining high quality lotic ecosystems. These methods may be applied to any geographic region and can be extended nationally or globally, where flow, temperature, fish and landscape data are available.

PHOTOGRAMMETRIC MODELLING OF HASBEY DAR'ÜLHUFFAZ (MASJID) USING AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Cultural assets constitute the bridge between our past and future in the geography we live. Protecting the artifacts that survived until today and bear the experiences of history and, more importantly, passing these down to future generations are of great importance for our country. Protecting and sustaining cultural assets are duties of mankind for the sake of ownership of universal values. Therefore, documenting all cultural assets in the geography we live in is a necessity. To this end, documentation practices for cultural assets bear great significance in terms of both historical development and contributing to the world cultural heritage. This article discusses the 3D photogrammetric modelling of Hasbey Dar'ulhuffaz (madrasa for training hafiz) from the Karamanids era, which is located in Ayine Street, Mucellit Neighborhood, Meram District in Konya Province. Within this scope, firstly, four control points that cover the aforementioned cultural asset were established in the study. The coordinates for these points were determined with a Topcon FC-250 GPS. Then, photographs of the cultural asset were captured with Nikon D90 camera and aerial photographs were taken with DJI Phantom 4 unmanned aerial vehicle. DJI Go 4 and Pix4Dcapture mobile applications were used to capture photographs using the unmanned aerial vehicle. All data obtained were evaluated via Agisoft PhotoScan and Netcad software, and a 3D model of the artifact was acquired. Documentation of the 3D models for artifacts in question contribute greatly to the world cultural heritage. At the same time, the 3D model obtained constitutes a substantial and accurate resource to pass down the artifacts to future generations. The most important point is to provide an opportunity for a faithful restoration in case of any potential damage to this historical artifact from physical intervention and natural disasters. It is foreseen that this model will also offer solutions to the problems of many professional disciplines today.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESTORATION OF SOIL FERTILITY THROUGH METHODS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN THE YAMBOL AGROREGION

The quality and quantity of agricultural production depend on the fertility of the soil type on which it is grown. Soil fertility is the result of the interaction of multiple mutually merged factors. Loss of soil fertility leads to soil degradation. Subsequently, it gradually becomes unfit for farming activity. Controlling the maintenance and enhancement of soil fertility is the guarantor of sustainable yields and population satisfaction with food resources, protecting land from degradation, and preserving biodiversity of ecosystems. The report examines the opportunities for restoration of the soil fertility of the agricultural lands of the Yambol Agro region. The aim is to analyze and propose for practice the most suitable methods of organic farming, with the application of which to preserve and improve the fertility of soils from the agricultural fund of the region. The proposed options are in line with the requirements of the European Union and the elements of the Common Agricultural Policy for Conservation of Soil Fertility. As a result of analysis and studies found that the preservation and maintenance of soil fertility in agricultural land in Yambol agro region is recognized and priority policy of the departments of Agriculture and farmers. From soil fertility conservation methods, organic farmers in Yambol Agro region apply a comprehensive approach, focusing primarily on bio-fertilization, crop rotation and sequential soil treatment systems.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESTORATION OF SOIL FERTILITY THROUGH METHODS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN THE YAMBOL AGROREGION

The quality and quantity of agricultural production depend on the fertility of the soil type on which it is grown. Soil fertility is the result of the interaction of multiple mutually merged factors. Loss of soil fertility leads to soil degradation. Subsequently, it gradually becomes unfit for farming activity. Controlling the maintenance and enhancement of soil fertility is the guarantor of sustainable yields and population satisfaction with food resources, protecting land from degradation, and preserving biodiversity of ecosystems. The report examines the opportunities for restoration of the soil fertility of the agricultural lands of the Yambol Agro region. The aim is to analyze and propose for practice the most suitable methods of organic farming, with the application of which to preserve and improve the fertility of soils from the agricultural fund of the region. The proposed options are in line with the requirements of the European Union and the elements of the Common Agricultural Policy for Conservation of Soil Fertility. As a result of analysis and studies found that the preservation and maintenance of soil fertility in agricultural land in Yambol agroregion is recognized and priority policy of the departments of Agriculture and farmers. From soil fertility conservation methods, organic farmers in Yambol Agro region apply a comprehensive approach, focusing primarily on bio-fertilization, crop rotation and sequential soil treatment systems.

Estimating restorable wetland water storage at landscape scales.

Globally, hydrologic modifications such as ditching and subsurface drainage have significantly reduced wetland water storage capacity (i.e., volume of surface water a wetland can retain) and consequent wetland functions. While wetland area has been well documented across many landscapes and used to guide restoration efforts, few studies have directly quantified the associated wetland storage capacity. Here, we present a novel raster-based approach to quantify both contemporary and potential (i.e., restorable) storage capacities of individual depressional basins across landscapes. We demonstrate the utility of this method by applying it to the Delmarva Peninsula, a region punctuated by both depressional wetlands and drainage ditches. Across the entire peninsula, we estimated that restoration (i.e., plugging ditches) could increase storage capacity by 80%. Focusing on an individual watershed, we found that over 59% of restorable storage capacity occurs within 20 m of the drainage network, and that 93% occurs within 1 m elevation of the drainage network. Our demonstration highlights widespread ditching in this landscape, spatial patterns of both contemporary and potential storage capacities, and clear opportunities for hydrologic restoration. In Delmarva and more broadly, our novel approach can inform targeted landscape-scale conservation and restoration efforts to optimize hydrologically mediated wetland functions.

Review: Forest management and conservation practices in Ethiopia: Opportunities and constraints

Amenu BT. 2018. Review: Forest management and conservation practices in Ethiopia: Opportunities and constraints. Asian J For 2: 77-82. Ethiopia has various and diversified natural resources. Forests are one of the most valuable resources of our physical environments. It is one of the natural resources that have several benefits for the society. It constitutes various social, economic, and other uses. This review identified that forests are an important part of our state's environment and economy. When it managed well, forests provide clean air and water, homes for wildlife, beautiful scenery, places for recreation and more than 5,000 products we all use every day. Forest resources and forest lands should be managed and used in sustainable basis to fulfill the social, economic, cultural and spiritual needs of the present and future generation. By its nature, forestry is concerned with maintaining the quality of various nonmarket benefits. In forest management, trees are harvested for a variety of reasons including improving the health of the forest; controlling the types of trees that grow on the site; attracting certain wildlife species; providing a source of income for the landowner; producing paper, lumber and numerous other forest products; and improving access to the area for hikers, hunters and other recreational users. There are varieties problems, constraints, and opportunities of forest conservation and management system Address poverty and forest governance by promoting forest ownership and access rights. Promote greater recognition of the rights of local and indigenous groups and give greater attention to land tenure, ownership, and rights-to-resource, the greatest biodiversity losses in the world have occurred through habitat losses. Conversely, the greatest opportunities for ecological restoration will occur through land abandonment, and access issues In addition to this, the social, economic constraints and socio-economic factors are the major problems. The major constraints or problems are adequate appreciation of the role and value of forest and in adequate investment in forestry sector under the state plan etc. (internet). Constraints and factors such as poor management plan, lack of good resource management plan and policy were the main factors and constraints of forest destruction.

Terrestrial Condition Assessment for National Forests of the USDA Forest Service in the Continental US

The terrestrial condition assessment (TCA) evaluates effects of uncharacteristic stressors and disturbance agents on land-type associations (LTAs) to identify restoration opportunities on national forest system (NFS) lands in the United States. A team of agency scientists and managers, representing a broad array of natural resource disciplines, developed a logic structure for the TCA to identify appropriate data sources to support analyses. Primary national data sources included observed insect- and pathogen-induced mortality, key critical loads for soil and the atmosphere, long term seasonal departures in temperature and precipitation, road densities, uncharacteristic wildfires, historical fire regime departure, wildfire potential, insect and pathogen risk, and vegetation departure from natural range of variability. The TCA was implemented with the ecosystem management decision support (EMDS) system, a spatial decision support system for landscape analysis and planning. EMDS uses logic models to interpret data, synthesizes information over successive layers of logic topics, and draws inferences about the ecological integrity of LTAs as an initial step to identifying high priority LTAs for landscape restoration on NFS lands. Results from the analysis showed that about 74 percent of NFS lands had moderate or better overall ecological integrity. Major impacts to ecological integrity included risk of mortality due to insects and disease, extent of current mortality, extent of areas with high and very high wildfire hazard potential, uncharacteristically severe wildfire, and elevated temperatures. In the discussion, we consider implications for agency performance reporting on restoration activities, and subsequent possible steps, including strategic and tactical planning for restoration. The objective of the paper is to describe the TCA framework with results from a national scale application on NFS lands.

Patellar Tendon Repair With Ipsilateral Semitendinosus Autograft Augmentation

Patellar tendon ruptures are rare but potentially devastating injuries. Acute repair after patellar tendon rupture affords the best opportunity for tension-free restoration of the extensor mechanism. Biological augmentation of primary repair is believed to decrease strain across the repair site and reduce the risk of rerupture. We present a technique for primary patellar tendon repair with bidirectional fixation using transosseous tunnels, suture anchor fixation, and ipsilateral hamstring autograft augmentation in a distal patellar pole socket.

Cheatgrass Die-Offs: A Unique Restoration Opportunity in Northern Nevada

On the Ground The phenomenon of cheatgrass die-off is a common and naturally occurring stand failure that can eliminate the presence of this annual grass for a year or more, affecting tens of thousands of hectares in some years. We designed a study to determine if the temporary lack of cheatgrass caused by die-offs is a restoration opportunity. We seeded native perennial species at three die-offs in the Winnemucca, Nevada, area. Native grass establishment in die-offs was almost three times higher in the first season at all sites, relative to adjacent areas without die-off. Establishment was five times higher in the die-off at two sites in the second season, and plants produced dramatically more culms in the die-off at the third site in the third season. Increasing seed rates led to more seedlings establishing in both die-offs and controls, with the strongest effect in the second season. We suggest that landowners and managers consider targeting die-offs as efficient locations to focus native restoration e...

Urban habitat restoration provides a human health benefit through microbiome rewilding: the Microbiome Rewilding Hypothesis

Restoration aims to return ecosystem services, including the human health benefits of exposure to green space. The loss of such exposure with urbanization and industrialization has arguably contributed to an increase in human immune dysregulation. The Biodiversity and Old Friends hypotheses have described the possible mechanisms of this relationship, and suggest that reduced exposure to diverse, beneficial microorganisms can result in negative health consequences. However, it is unclear whether restoration of biodiverse habitat can reverse this effect, and what role the environmental microbiome might have in such recovery. Here, we propose the Microbiome Rewilding Hypothesis, which specifically outlines that restoring biodiverse habitats in urban green spaces can rewild the environmental microbiome to a state that enhances primary prevention of human disease. We support our hypothesis with examples from allied fields, including a case study of active restoration that reversed the degradation of the soil bacterial microbiome of a former pasture. This case study used high‐throughput amplicon sequencing of environmental DNA to assess the quality of a restoration intervention in restoring the soil bacterial microbiome. The method is rapid, scalable, and standardizable, and has great potential as a monitoring tool to assess functional outcomes of green‐space restoration. Evidence for the Microbiome Rewilding Hypothesis will help motivate health professionals, urban planners, and restoration practitioners to collaborate and achieve co‐benefits. Co‐benefits include improved human health outcomes and investment opportunities for biodiversity conservation and restoration.

Relationships between soil parameters and vegetation in abandoned terrace fields vs. non-terraced fields in arid lands (Lanzarote, Spain): An opportunity for restoration

Over 90% of terraced fields have been abandoned on the island of Lanzarote in the last 40 years. The present work analyses the effects of abandonment on the soil and vegetation recovery of terraced field agroecosystems by comparing them with adjacent non-terraced fields in Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Spain). This information is necessary to take the appropriate management actions to achieve goals such as soil protection and biodiversity conservation. Results indicate that terraced fields display better soil quality than non-terraced ones, as shown by the significant differences found in parameters such as SAR, exchangeable Na, CaCO3, B content, moisture content or soil depth. Moreover, the terraced fields' plant community has more species similarities with the native plant community when compared with non-terraced areas. Owing to characteristics such as deeper soils, more water capacity, lower salinity and less sodic soils, terraced soils provide better conditions for passive restoration of both soil and vegetation. Therefore, the recovery and maintenance of wall structures and revegetation with native/endemic species are proposed to promote the restoration of native systems and preserve a landscape with cultural and aesthetic value.

Establishing Pine Monocultures and Mixed Pine-Hardwood Stands on Reclaimed Surface Mined Land in Eastern Kentucky: Implications for Forest Resilience in a Changing Climate

Surface mining and mine reclamation practices have caused significant forest loss and forest fragmentation in Appalachia. Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) is threatened by a variety of stresses, including diseases, pests, poor management, altered fire regimes, and climate change, and the species is the subject of a widescale restoration effort. Surface mines may present opportunity for shortleaf pine restoration; however, the survival and growth of shortleaf pine on these harsh sites has not been critically evaluated. This paper presents first-year survival and growth of native shortleaf pine planted on a reclaimed surface mine, compared to non-native loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), which has been highly successful in previous mined land reclamation plantings. Pine monoculture plots are also compared to pine-hardwood polyculture plots to evaluate effects of planting mix on tree growth and survival, as well as soil health. Initial survival of shortleaf pine is low (42%), but height growth is similar to that of loblolly pine. No differences in survival or growth were observed between monoculture and polyculture treatments. Additional surveys in coming years will address longer-term growth and survival patterns of these species, as well as changes to relevant soil health endpoints, such as soil carbon.

Intraspecific Variation in Growth Rates is a Poor Predictor of Fitness for Reef Corals

Given the losses of coral on present-day reefs, and a poor prognosis for recovery, it is important to understand the factors promoting coral success. Identification of “winning” corals provides insight into the phenotypes that might populate future reefs, and it creates the opportunity for restoration by propagating “winning” colonies. On reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands, annual growth of coral recruits over 20 years was a poor predictor of success, suggesting that the pace of environmental change exceeds the capacity for beneficial response by existing genotypes. It may be better for the environment (rather than humans) to pick winning corals. These photographs illustrate the article “Intraspecific variation in growth rate is a poor predictor of fitness for reef corals” by P. J. Edmunds, published in Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.1912

PHOTOGRAMMETRIC MODELLING OF SAKAHANE MASJID USING AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Turkey has been home to various cultures and civilizations throughout history. Thus, it is a piece of land that has architecturally maintained the cultural structure of civilizations throughout history. This geography we live in served as a capital to many civilizations to this date. Considered as the birth place of civilization, the Anatolian soils historically accommodated many civilizations. To this end, Konya served as the capital of Anatolian Seljuk Empire between 1086 and 1308. Ergo, this geography houses a vast accumulation of cultural and historical heritage. We owe history a debt to show necessary effort in order to pass down these cultural assets that survived throughout history to future generations. Therefore, documentation and protection of cultural assets are important for them to be passed down from one generation to the other. This article discusses the 3D photogrammetric modelling of Sakahane Masjid from the Anatolian Seljuk Empire era, located in Ferhuniye Neighborhood in Konya Province. A Nikon D90 Camera and DJI Phantom 4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle were used in taking photographs of the historical artifact for the purposes of 3D photogrammetric modelling. DJI Go 4 and Pix4Dcapture mobile applications were used to capture photographs using the unmanned aerial vehicle. The data obtained were evaluated via Agisoft PhotoScan software and 3D models of the artifact were acquired. The 3D model of the said cultural asset is meant to be a resource for future generations in terms of the protection of cultural heritage. It is foreseen that this model will also provide an opportunity for a faithful restoration in case of any possible damage to this historical artifact, as well as offering solutions to the problems of many professional disciplines today.

Twenty years of menin: emerging opportunities for restoration of transcriptional regulation in MEN1.

Since the discovery of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene in 1997, elucidation of the molecular function of its protein product, menin, has been a challenge. Biochemical, proteomics, genetics and genomics approaches have identified various potential roles, which converge on gene expression regulation. The most consistent findings show that menin connects transcription factors and chromatin-modifying enzymes, in particular, the histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes MLL1 and MLL2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with next-generation sequencing has enabled studying genome-wide dynamics of chromatin binding by menin. We propose that menin regulates cell type-specific transcriptional programs by linking chromatin regulatory complexes to specific transcription factors. In this fashion, the MEN1 gene is a tumor suppressor gene in the endocrine tissues that are affected in MEN1. Recent studies have hinted at possibilities to pharmacologically restore the epigenetic changes caused by loss of menin function as therapeutic strategies for MEN1, for example, by inhibition of histone demethylases. The current lack of appropriate cellular model systems for MEN1-associated tumors is a limitation for compound testing, which needs to be addressed in the near future. In this review, we look back at the past twenty years of research on menin and the mechanism of disease of MEN1. In addition, we discuss how the current understanding of the molecular function of menin offers future directions to develop novel treatments for MEN1-associated endocrine tumors.

Habitat evaluation model for ecologically successful lake restoration

ABSTRACTYao W, Zhao T, Chen Y, Zhong Y, Fan H, Zhang W, Li L. 2017. Habitat evaluation model for ecologically successful lake restoration. Lake Reserv Manage. 00:1–13.Anthropogenic activities have severely affected the quality of Qianling Lake, China, causing mud and sediment deposition, poor water quality, and degraded fish habitat. In some regions of the lake, fish habitat that was formerly dominant has disappeared completely. A few areas of desirable habitat persist as a result of purposeful restoration actions, and these areas provide important conservation and restoration opportunities. In this study, the ecological conditions of Qianling Lake were assessed to identify hydrodynamic conditions, sediment deposition, and fish habitat suitability to recommend strategies for improving and restoring these areas. Two restoration strategies, “flood flush” and “add an artificial island,” were proposed and modeled to predict the restoration effects. Simulation results showed that the restoration scheme “add an artificial island” could improve spinibarbus (Spinibarbus sinensis Bleeker) habitat quality. The analysis also indicated that this restoration strategy could succeed in restoring the fish habitat under natural dynamic processes.

The inner blood-retinal barrier: Cellular basis and development

The blood-retinal barrier (BRB) regulates transport across retinal capillaries maintaining proper neural homeostasis and protecting the neural tissue from potential blood borne toxicity. Loss of the BRB contributes to the pathophysiology of a number of blinding retinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy. In this review, we address the basis of the BRB, including the molecular mechanisms that regulate flux across the retinal vascular bed. The routes of transcellular and paracellular flux are described as well as alterations in these pathways in response to permeabilizing agents in diabetes. Finally, we provide information on exciting new studies that help to elucidate the process of BRB development or barriergenesis and how understanding this process may lead to new opportunities for barrier restoration in diabetic retinopathy.

Restoration of denitrification in agricultural wetlands

Wetland restoration of abandoned farmland may replace some of the wetland area originally lost to development, but these restoration opportunities pose unique challenges due to the agricultural legacy of the soil. Understanding how wetlands restored on agricultural lands develop and function is critical not only for improving restoration practice, but for developing our ecological understanding of wetlands. In New England, cranberry farming has dominated the agricultural industry for over a century, but decreases in yield, increases in costs, and competition from more productive cultivars grown primarily in the upper Midwest and Canada are forcing many New England cranberry farms to close. Because most cranberry farms developed in the late 1800’s and 1900’s are located in low-elevation coastal bogs in densely populated areas, the potential of restoring wetland functions lost to agricultural development is particularly significant. The objective of this study was to assess soil-based ecosystem functions in an actively farmed cranberry bog, a retired cranberry bog, a restored bog, and a natural reference bog that had not been farmed. At each site we measured a suite of soil processes and properties including denitrification potential, soil organic matter, moisture, and microbial biomass as indicators of wetland development and functioning. Denitrification potential increased with increasing soil moisture, organic matter, and microbial biomass. However, all measures were significantly lower in the retired and restored bogs compared to natural wetlands. A trajectory model based on short-term trends suggests that restoration provides a quicker path to wetland development and functional equivalence than site retirement with no restoration, although the process appears to be slow.