Research In Restoration Ecology Research Articles

Ecological restoration research in Canada: who, what, where, when, why, and how?

Much has been achieved by research into ecological restoration as a nature-based solution to the destruction of ecosystems, particularly in Canada. We conducted a national-level synthesis of Canadian restoration ecology research to understand strengths and gaps. This synthesis answers the following questions: Who is studying restoration? What ecosystem types are studied? Where is restoration studied? Which themes has restoration research focused on? Why is restoration happening? And how is restoration monitored and evaluated? We employed systematic searching for this review. Our results show that restoration research is conducted mainly by academics. Forest, peatland, grassland, and lake ecosystem types were the most commonly studied. There was a concentration of research in four provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia). Research into restoration has changed its thematic focus over time from reforestation to climate change. Legislation was the most common reason given for restoration. Restoration research frequently documented results of less than 5 years of monitoring and included one category of response variable (e.g., plant response but not animal response). Future research could investigate the outcomes of restoration prompted by legislation. At the dawn of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, this work demonstrates Canada's momentum and provides a model for synthesis in other countries.

Late‐season drought exerts more negative effects on plant diversity and cover than early‐season drought through changing soil moisture in a semi‐arid grassland

AbstractQuestionsDrought timing during the growing season can profoundly influence plant diversity and cover, with subsequent impacts on ecosystem functions and services in terrestrial environments. However, the different responses of plant communities to drought in different periods of the growing season remain uncertain.LocationThe research was conducted in a semi‐arid grassland at the Duolun Restoration Ecology Research and Demonstration Station, in Inner Mongolia, China.MethodsThe responses of plant species richness and cover to early‐ and late‐season drought with a four‐year field experiment were examined in a semi‐arid grassland in northern China. Soil moisture at different depths was measured to explore the underlying mechanisms of the drought effects on plant richness and cover.ResultsOver the four years, late‐ rather than early‐season drought suppressed plant richness. Decreased species richness (−1.65 species) under late‐season drought was mainly due to suppressed perennial forb richness (−1.88 species). Late‐season drought also exerted greater negative effects on plant cover than early‐season drought. Effects of late‐season drought on plant cover depended on annual precipitation. Reduced plant cover (−7.5%) under early‐season drought stemmed from declines in shrubs and semi‐shrubs, particularly Artemisia frigida cover (−4.9%), which is sensitive to water deficits because of its shallow root depth (14.01 cm). Declined plant cover (−39.0%) under late‐season drought was mainly caused by suppressed perennial forb (−21.5%) and shrub and semi‐shrubs cover (−17.4%). The combined effects of early‐ and late‐season drought on plant cover were greater than the treatment alone, likely due to aggravating water deficits under growing‐season drought.ConclusionsOur results suggest late‐season drought is more critical for shifting plant communities. than early‐season drought. Our findings highlight the regulatory role of drought timing on plant community composition and development in arid and semi‐arid regions.

A tenuous link: Information transfer between urban ecological research and restoration practice

Despite a growing theoretical understanding of restoration ecology, this scientific knowledge is not typically well linked to restoration practitioner decision-making. Urban restoration projects are increasing worldwide due to the myriad ecological, social, cultural and economic benefits restored ecosystems provide, but if not linked to ecological theory these projects may not achieve long-term goals such as restoration of ecosystem structure and function. We conducted an Aotearoa New Zealand-wide survey of urban forest restoration practitioners using a combination of open-ended and fixed-answer questions to better understand drivers behind their planning, implementation, and management of restoration projects. We chose urban forest restoration as a model system because these practitioners are faced with extraordinary social pressures to restore under severely degraded ecological conditions, and therefore require reliable, efficient methods for success. Our goals were to 1) understand trends in practitioner decision making 2) identify weak links in knowledge transfer between restoration ecology research and ecological restoration practice, and 3) suggest targeted methods to strengthen information transfer between researchers and practitioners. Our survey identified a tenuous link between current scientific knowledge regarding best-practice restoration and practitioner actions. While best-practice recommends setting of specific, measurable objectives to restore ecosystems, the sample of Aotearoa New Zealand urban restoration practitioners surveyed tend to have broad, vague objectives and focus on restoration of simple ecosystem components such as a canopy of early successional plant species. Practitioners also prioritise management actions like planting or weed control over project planning and quantitative monitoring, despite projects requiring these for long-term success. Results indicate practitioners source knowledge equally through interpersonal interactions (e.g. with ecologists and fellow practitioners) and traditional forms of science communication (e.g. books and scientific articles). This suggests that prioritising interactive, interpersonal modes of science communication would help strengthen knowledge transfer. Additionally, providing practitioners with time-saving resources, adequate funding, and guidance to navigate socio-ecological constraints that arise in urban projects will improve restoration outcomes.

Pioneers of Allelopathy: XVI. Shaolin Peng

Shaolin Peng contributed immensely to restoration ecology research in last 40- years and has published 700 papers. He has made innovative and theoretical breakthroughs in vegetation restoration, ecological restoration of invaded ecosystems, interaction between ecological restoration and global change, etc. One of his key achievements is vegetation restoration in subtropical South China. He has developed new models of vegetation in natural succession, replacement and fluctuation, advanced theory and proved that extremely degraded tropical forests can be restored. He established that allelopathy is one of the driving forces of forest succession and did related studies on systematic sampling and analysis of several forest communities from south to north in China. He has done outstanding research on invasive plants and examined the Novel Weapon Hypothesis (allelopathic inhibition) of invasive alien plants in South China and determined the various aspects of invasive mechanism of alien plants (molecular mechanism of elevated temperature and CO effects in allelopathy of invasive plants). He put forward the ‘Allelopathic resistance hypothesis (native plants resistance to invasive plants)’ and ‘ecological control theory’. In recognition of his contributions to <i>Allelopathy</i> field, he was awarded the <i>Outstanding Achievement Award</i> by the International Allelopathy Foundation. He also did in-depth studies on ecological impacts of invasive plants, specifically focusing on plant-soil feedback and plant-AMF symbiosis. Besides, Peng has mentored 68 Ph.D. and 38 M.Sc graduates, and was recognized as Prominent Teacher by Sun Yat-sen University. He has been the Vice President, Ecological Society of China, Vice Chairman, Nature Conservation and Eco-Environment Teaching Steering Committee, Ministry of Education, Member, Academic Degree Commission of State Council, Awarded ‘Top Ten Outstanding Youth in China’, Young Scientist Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Outstanding Scientific and Technical Worker of China.

Communicating useful results from restoration ecology research

Interactions between restoration ecologists and stakeholders (policy makers and decision makers, volunteers, public supporters) benefit from clear communication of research findings. Given that adaptive management (e.g. learning while restoring) already stresses frequent and effective discourse among researchers and stakeholders, it seems that a new specialty under a new term, “translational ecology,” adds more confusion than clarity. Communicating technical information to nontechnical audiences benefits from simple rules—be clear and concise, retain familiar terms that serve well, and use fewer words.

Long‐term monitoring of shrub species translocation in degraded Neotropical mountain grassland

AbstractThe introduction of plant species is a central topic in restoration ecology research. It is an effective technique to restore degraded ecosystems that present low resilience, such as the rupestrian grasslands. Once implemented, the transplantation of native species is monitored only in the short term, whereas long‐term monitoring should be preferred to identify potential changes in the restoration results. Our study is the first assessment of the transplantation success of 10 native shrub species in a degraded area of rupestrian grasslands, 8.5 years after transplantation. Survival, growth, and recruitment were assessed in 2004, 2008, and 2012. For all species, survival, growth, and recruitment varied over time. Although some species exhibited great mortality during the last 4 years, they also showed a great resprouting ability. Our results highlighted a trade‐off between survival and recruitment capacity. Most of the studied species showed remarkable ability to adapt to the extreme environment of the degraded area, persisting either through surviving or recruiting new individuals. We list nine native species, which are well appropriated for rupestrian grasslands restoration. In constrained environments, survival and resistance should represent criteria to select species for restoration project rather than fast growth and ground cover.

Principal determinants of species and functional diversity of carabid beetle assemblages during succession at post-industrial sites.

Although ecological succession is one of the principal focuses of recent restoration ecology research, it is still unclear which factors drive this process and positively influence species richness and functional diversity. In this study we sought to elucidate how species traits and functional diversity change during forest succession, and to identify important factors that determine the species in the observed assemblages. We analyzed species richness and functional diversity of ground beetle assemblages in relation to succession on post-industrial localities after habitat deterioration caused by spoil deposition. We selected ground beetles as they are known to be sensitive to landscape changes (with a large range of responses), and their taxonomy and ecology are generally well-known. Ground beetles were sampled on the spoil heaps during the last 30 years when spontaneous succession occurred. To calculate functional diversity, we used traits related to habitat and trophic niche, i.e. food specialization, wing morphology, trophic level, and bio-indication value. Ground beetle species were found to be distributed non-randomly in the assemblages in the late phase of succession. Ordination analyses revealed that the ground beetle assemblage was significantly associated with the proportion of forested area. Environmental heterogeneity generated assemblages that contained over-dispersed species traits. Our findings indicated that environmental conditions at late successional stages supported less mobile carnivorous species. Overall, we conclude that the decline in species richness and functional diversity in the middle of the studied succession gradient indicated that the assemblages of open habitats had been replaced by species typical of forest ecosystems.

Resilience of savanna forest after clear-cutting in the cerrado-amazon transition zone

The dynamics of the natural process of recuperation of the structure and diversity of native vegetation following anthropogenic disturbance has been the subject of a great deal of controversy in restoration ecology research. The present study evaluates the natural regeneration of savanna forest ( cerradao ) 32 and 36 years after the clear-cutting of the vegetation. We compared species diversity, and the structure and dynamics of the vegetation in two communities, one representing preserved cerradao (PC), and the other, the regenerating cerradao (RC), which was clear-cut in 1976. Surveys were conducted in 2008 and 2012, 32 and 36 years after clear-cutting, respectively. In 2008, we demarcated 81 permanent 10 m x 10 m plots, 50 in the RC and 31 in the PC, and measured all live plants with a diameter at soil level > 5 cm. In 2012, the plots were resampled, including the original plants and all the recruits. The species were classified as specialists in savanna (SA) or forest habitat (FO), or as generalists (SA/FO). The RC presented the highest species richness and diversity, density, annual increment, and mortality rates. However, no significant differences were found between communities in the distribution of specialist or generalist species, or between years (2008 and 2012) in basal area or recruitment rates. While the species composition of the two communities is highly similar, the RC was characterized by a higher frequency of SA species, and was more similar to nearby savanna communities (cerrado sensu stricto ). Trees in the RC were smaller and suffered higher rates of mortality than those in the PC, but also higher annual increments. While the RC demonstrated a high degree of resilience following clear-cutting, it was still found to be at an intermediate stage of succession, even after almost four decades, indicating that regeneration is a slow process.

Progress and trend of development of restoration ecology research in the arid regions of China

In this paper, the development process and characteristics of restoration ecology research in the arid regions of China were reviewed, and the research frontiers and development trends were analyzed systemically.The study on restoration ecology in arid regions has been promoted by national demands. Revegetation was the main method and approach for ecological recovery and restoration. Future study should focus on vegetation zonal distribution, soil habitat restoration, interaction of arid land ecology and hydrology, plant water relation, biological soil crust, projection based on models and modeling, and so on. The interaction and integration of geography and biology provide a new way of thinking and approach for both theoretical and practical innovations in the development of restoration ecology.

Restoration management of fly ash deposits crucially influence their conservation potential for terrestrial arthropods

Fly ash deposits are a relatively common component of many industrial landscapes. Recently, these post-industrial sites were shown to host highly endangered communities of bees & wasps of vanishing continental drift sands. Nevertheless, nothing is known about this conservation potential for other arthropods, nor how it has been influenced by the practice of restoration. We sampled communities of bees wasps, moths, spiders, hoverflies, and ants colonizing several spontaneously developed and technically reclaimed plots in two fly ash deposits in northern Czech Republic, Central Europe. In addition to species richness, we also concentrated on the potential for colonization by species included in national red-lists and/or specialized to the highly threatened environments of continental drift sand dunes. In total, we recorded 585 species of the studied arthropods, including six considered as nationally extinct, 17 critically endangered, and 84 other red-listed species. From those numbers, 34 species were highly specialized for drift sands. bees & wasps and spiders comprised the overwhelming majority of the threatened species, and all the specialists. The overwhelming majority of the most threatened species colonized the non-reclaimed habitats and generally avoided afforested plots. Some of the endangered bees & wasps occurred also in the artificial grasslands, probably feeding on nectar. Summarizing, the studied fly ash deposits harbor arthropod communities of high conservation interest, importance of the spontaneously developed habitats differ among individual arthropod groups. However, this conservation potential is suppressed by artificial afforestation. Following the occurrence patterns of the most threatened species we suggest applying a mosaic-like combination of non-reclaimed habitats with reclaimed grasslands as a potentially effective solution combining both biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. The expected ensuing controversy of this approach should be one of the most essential challenges of current restoration ecology research and practice.

Restoration dynamics evaluation by vegetation mapping and transition matrix modelling: analysis of 20 yr of restoration and management at the megalithic site of Carnac (Brittany, France)

AbstractQuestionThe main aim of this study is to consider how long‐term spatial vegetation surveys can be optimized via a simple quantitative statistical model to assess, and potentially predict, restoration success. How can modelling be used as a decision‐making tool?LocationThe study was conducted in the megalithic site of Carnac (Brittany, France). Due to over‐frequentation (more than 500 000 visitors·yr−1) and lack of adapted management, the vegetation (heathlands and grasslands) of the site, which constitutes not only the framework of the monument, but also an essential protection for archaeological soils, was highly damaged during the 1980s. In order to initiate restoration of the vegetation, the whole site was fenced at the beginning of the 1990s, and a management plan (including vegetation management and frequentation control) was initiated in 2001.MethodsThe site has been mapped (with the same methodology) in 1985 (before enclosure), 1997 (5 yrs after fencing), 2006 (after 5 yrs of management plan application) and in 2012. GIS analysis and transition matrix modelling were used to describe vegetation dynamics changes in both time and space. Restoration trajectories were considered in two specific parts of the study site, which are analysed both together and separately in order to show potential spatial heterogeneity in vegetation dynamics.ResultsThe matrices approach underlined the heterogeneity of restoration process within the study site. The restoration process leads to the establishment of a complex of grassland with a potential dynamic toward broom thicket in one area, and to a heathland complex in the other area. These differences are needed to refine restoration goals, first defined as heathland for the whole site.ConclusionsThe matrix approach used on vegetation maps allows a more precise description of restoration processes than analysis only based on the evolution of the extent of each vegetation type. It notably includes the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation dynamics at site scale. It provides large data sets for qualitative assessment of restoration operations, and could potentially be used to build up prediction models. Indeed, maps, which are one of the main survey methods used in natural areas management, can offer much scientific knowledge for research in restoration ecology.

Spanning the Science-Practice Divide: Why Restoration Scientists Need to be More Involved with Practice

estoration ecology is at a critical juncture. As environmental management policy increasingly embraces restoration, the field of restoration ecol-ogy must span the science-practice divide, or risk becom-ing obsolete. Parties on both sides of the divide agree that science needs to be incorporated into restoration practice and that current approaches are “simply not sufficient” (Hobbs 2007, Weiher 2007, Palmer 2009). There is a resounding call for reforms that better address current limitations facing ecological restoration and a higher pri-ority placed on the scientific understanding of ecosystem restoration. The “science-practice gap” is frequently cited as a major factor limiting both the science and practice of restoration, and there are few individuals or institutions working directly to change this dynamic (Giardina et al. 2007, Weiher 2007, Palmer 2009, Cabin et al. 2010). This gap persists despite agreement about the need for rigorous, publication-quality studies to identify relevant restoration methods (Giardina 2007).Restoration ecology has faced critiques from both sides of the science-practice divide. Science argues that restora-tion ecology is largely ad-hoc, site specific, and lacking a conceptual framework (Hobbs and Norton 1996, Allen et al. 1997). Practitioners question how much science is necessary for the successful practice of restoration and are frequently frustrated that research is not applied at appro-priate scales for practitioner application (Cabin 2007, Halle 2007). These critiques present very different perspectives of how restoration ecology should proceed: the former calling for broader across-site theory and research and the latter emphasizing site-specific practicality over scientific goals. Together, these perspectives have slowed the development of a third perspective: application of restoration ecology research to inform practice and the utility of practice to inform the science.It is at this science-practice boundary that research can best evaluate whether the science of restoration ecology effectively informs successful management efforts and determine how to increase the efficiency of information transfer. We begin with a broad overview of critiques from both sides of the science-practice debate. We then detail lessons we have learned from a project where we (as restoration scientists) worked alongside practitioners in an attempt to better inform restoration practice. We conclude with ways that a boundary-spanning approach might be most effective in addressing this divide.

Feathering the Scene: The Effects of Ecological Restoration on Birds and the Role Birds Play in Evaluating Restoration Outcomes

Abstract Ecological restoration is a promising strategy to reverse biodiversity loss from habitat degradation worldwide. Historically, animals have received little attention within restoration activities, but in the last decade birds have been widely incorporated into restoration ecology research. Increasing our knowledge regarding birds within the restoration process should aid the development of novel approaches to perform restoration activities that consider all the components of ecosystems. In this review, we compile the literature related to birds and the restoration process, extract its general trends, summarize restoration recommendations, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest areas for future research. We classified the reviewed literature into 4 themes: 1) ecological dynamics; 2) habitat restoration for bird conservation; 3) birds as bioindicators of restoration outcomes; and 4) birds as guides for the restoration process. In general, research from temperate zones has been performed mainly within the United States (67% of reviewed literature), and our understanding of tropical ecosystems is very incomplete. The majority of reviewed literature (64.8%) analyzed the ornithological component of the restoration process from an ecological dynamics approach. Based on our findings, we suggest that particular properties of restoration activities (e.g., size of restored sites, habitat type, characteristics of contiguous habitats) should be contemplated when considering birds within the restoration context.

Restoration Program Assessment of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System

We conducted a programmatic assessment of ecological restoration within the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). The NERRS encompasses a network of 26 protected areas in 20 coastal states and Puerto Rico, representing a broad diversity of aquatic and terrestrial habitat types among pristine and disturbed settings. Nearly all of the reserves provide opportunities for habitat restoration and enhancement, and for research in restoration ecology. While the political, scientific, and management issues affecting restoration among the reserves vary, general restoration priorities are similar. The reserves provide a fertile arena for the development and standardization of restoration monitoring protocols and for the development of innovative restoration technologies and applications.

Restoration ecology research above the timberline: colonization of safety islands on a machine-graded alpine ski run

Colonization was studied in safety islands installed on a machine-graded downhill ski run (ca 2500m asl) and respectively aged 7, 8, and 9 years. For comparison, the neighbouring non-restored plots were investigated. The study included assessment of species richness (alpha diversity), size and spatial structure of the immigrant populations, and the nearest possible diaspore sources. The number of colonizing species recorded in the safety islands totalled 44 whereas only 25 species were found in the non-restored ski run plots close by. The mean species number per whole plot, per 1m2 and per 0.1m2 was significantly higher in the safety islands than in the non-restored ski run plots. Population founders and small populations represented more than half of all immigrant species in the safety islands, but medium-sized and large populations were also present. The overall distribution of plants was patchy but the number of individuals per 1m2 was significantly higher in the safety islands than in the ski run. Travelling distances separating the safety islands from the nearest possible diaspore source were often exceedingly short and ranged between 0.10m and 1m in 47.7% of all populations studied. It seems that the diaspore sources were mostly secondary i.e. plants scattered over the non-restored ski run, and those previously used in restoration trials, served as diaspore donors. The results of the study clearly demonstrate that successful colonization of machine-graded alpine ski runs in the study area is ultimately limited by safe-site availability and not by deficiencies in seed rain or remote diaspore sources. The colonization process in the safety islands is apparently well-advanced.