Tool For Restoration Research Articles

Ten years to restore the planet: a seedy situation

Almost 1 billion hectares of land have been pledged for restoration globally under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Seed‐based restoration will be essential to achieve native revegetation targets in a timely and effective manner. However, problematic seed germination, seeding environments, and seed handling can limit our ability to use native seeds in revegetation. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs) are post‐harvest seed treatments, which may improve seed performance and handling, thereby optimizing seed‐use efficiency and success in restoration. We highlight SETs as a restoration tool accessible to anyone and which can also be used to deliver seed‐based restoration at scale. If SETs are to rise to the challenge of restoration targets in the coming decade, improving native seed supply, research efforts, knowledge and data sharing, and collaboration and funding will be essential. These actions are discussed within a roadmap for advancing SETs in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Highlighting assumptions of community engagement in urban stream restoration

Restoration practitioners experience mixed results when they try to engage community members in urban stream restoration projects. In some cases, practitioners make presumptions about community responses to restoration that lead to unsuccessful engagement and detract from restoration goals. During the 5th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, we noticed that participants repeatedly discussed community stakeholder engagement as a tool for effective urban stream restoration. However, most presenters did not acknowledge that typical engagement strategies do not consider how the target community’s social, economic, and political dynamics will influence stakeholder response. As a result, many practitioners make assumptions about communities that can be counterproductive to engagement efforts. Here, we discuss 4 underlying assumptions that many researchers make when trying to engage community stakeholders: 1) community members and researchers have the same project goals, 2) educating residents is essential in garnering community support, 3) the community will benefit from the restoration effort, and 4) the community has solutions to contribute to the technical aspects of the restoration effort. We present and develop these assumptions in the context of relevant urban stream restoration projects and highlight the complexity represented across communities where urban stream restoration projects can take place. Land managers and researchers must first cultivate a thoughtful understanding of the community and its existing socioeconomic capacities before integrating community stakeholders into urban stream restoration projects. We believe highlighting these societal complexities will promote a deeper consideration of appropriate engagement strategies for urban stream restoration projects.

Frontloading of stress response genes enhances robustness to environmental change in chimeric corals

BackgroundChimeras are genetically mixed entities resulting from the fusion of two or more conspecifics. This phenomenon is widely distributed in nature and documented in a variety of animal and plant phyla. In corals, chimerism initiates at early ontogenic states (larvae to young spat) and results from the fusion between two or more closely settled conspecifics. When compared to genetically homogenous colonies (non-chimeras), the literature has listed ecological and evolutionary benefits for traits at the chimeric state, further positioning coral chimerism as an evolutionary rescue instrument. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this suggestion remain unknown.ResultsTo address this question, we developed field monitoring and multi-omics approaches to compare the responses of chimeric and non-chimeric colonies acclimated for 1 year at 10-m depth or exposed to a stressful environmental change (translocation from 10- to 2-m depth for 48h). We showed that chimerism in the stony coral Stylophora pistillata is associated with higher survival over a 1-year period. Transcriptomic analyses showed that chimeras lose transcriptomic plasticity and constitutively express at higher level (frontload) genes responsive to stress. This frontloading may prepare the colony to face at any time environmental stresses which explain its higher robustness.ConclusionsThese results show that chimeras are environmentally robust entities with an enhanced ability to cope with environmental stress. Results further document the potential usefulness of chimeras as a novel reef restoration tool to enhance coral adaptability to environmental change, and confirm that coral chimerism can be an evolutionary rescue instrument.

Existing and emerging uses of drones in restoration ecology

Abstract In the absence of effective and scalable human intervention, up to 95% of the world's ecosystems will be affected by anthropogenic degradation by 2050. Therefore, immediate and large‐scale ecological restoration is imperative to stem biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline. Ecologists must draw upon the most effective and efficient tools available to achieve successful restoration goals. Drones (i.e., unmanned aerial vehicles) are a valuable set of tools in the environmental, forestry, and agriculture sectors; however, there has been limited uptake in restoration ecology. Here, we aim to highlight the existing and emerging uses of drones in restoration science and practice. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these applications and provide a roadmap for increasing the utilisation of drones to refine and enhance restoration objectives. Our article is presented with the restoration continuum in mind, including sections for restoration planning, implementation and monitoring. We also take a novel approach by describing how drones relate to a globally recognised restoration tool published by the Society for Ecological Restoration. Drones are used in several restoration scenarios from mapping habitats and managing wildfires, to monitoring the effectiveness of restoration interventions. Many applications in other disciplines can also be transferred to restoration scenarios. However, the use of drones will be context‐dependent, and several technical and practical constraints need to be addressed. Drones have considerable potential to improve the science and practice of restoration at all stages of a restoration project, which is vital to realising the goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Toward Identifying Alternatives to Fencing for Forest Restoration: Tube Shelters Outperform Mesh Shelters for Deer Browse Protection of Live Oak, Quercus virginiana

Herbivory is a common forest regeneration challenge across ecosystems. While fencing effectively reduces animal browse damage, it can be impractical. Tree shelters are an alternative forest restoration tool to protect seedlings from herbivory that may also provide a favorable microclimate. Yet, regeneration responses to tree shelters often vary among tree species, environmental conditions, and shelter specifications. To restore the once dominant Quercus virginiana (live oak) and its associated conservation values to subtropical U.S. maritime forests, control of animal browsing is critical. We evaluated the effects of tube and mesh tree shelters to exclude animal browse, combined with the use of controlled-release fertilizer to promote Q. virginiana seedling growth. After two growing seasons, mean seedling survival was 83% for protected seedlings, either from tube or mesh shelters, compared to 68% with non-sheltered seedlings. Seedlings in solid-wall tube shelters had significantly less browse incidence compared to both seedlings in mesh shelters and non-sheltered seedlings. Seedlings in tube shelters had greater height and diameter, followed by mesh shelters, and lastly, the no shelter treatment. Fertilizer resulted in higher browsing incidence and greater seedling height and diameter after the first growing season only, with no shelter treatment interactions. Our findings illustrate the efficacy of tree shelters to improve early regeneration success of Q. virginiana and may have application to the restoration of other forest ecosystems.

Mechanistic support for increased primary production around artificial reefs.

Understanding factors controlling primary production is fundamental for the protection, management, and restoration of ecosystems. Tropical seagrass ecosystems are among the most productive ecosystems worldwide, yielding tremendous services for society. Yet they are also among the most impaired from anthropogenic stressors, prompting calls for ecosystem-based restoration approaches. Artificial reefs (ARs) are commonly applied in coastal marine ecosystems to rebuild failing fisheries and have recently gained attention for their potential to promote carbon sequestration. Nutrient hotspots formed via excretion from aggregating fishes have been empirically shown to enhance local primary production around ARs in seagrass systems. Yet, if and how increased local production affects primary production at ecosystem scale remains unclear, and empirical tests are challenging. We used a spatially explicit individual-based simulation model that combined a data-rich single-nutrient primary production model for seagrass and bioenergetics models for fish to test how aggregating fish on ARs affect seagrass primary production at patch and ecosystem scales. Specifically, we tested how the aggregation of fish alters (i) ecosystem seagrass primary production at varying fish densities and levels of ambient nutrient availability and (ii) the spatial distribution of seagrass primary production. Comparing model ecosystems with equivalent nutrient levels, we found that when fish aggregate around ARs, ecosystem-scale primary production is enhanced synergistically. This synergistic increase in production was caused by nonlinear dynamics associated with nutrient uptake and biomass allocation that enhances aboveground primary production more than belowground production. Seagrass production increased near the AR and decreased in areas away from the AR, despite marginal reductions in seagrass biomass at the ecosystem level. Our simulation's findings that ARs can increase ecosystem production provide novel support for ARs in seagrass ecosystems as an effective means to promote (i) fishery restoration (increased primary production can increase energy input to the food web) and (ii) carbon sequestration, via higher rates of primary production. Although our model represents a simplified, closed seagrass system without complex trophic interactions, it nonetheless provides an important first step in quantifying ecosystem-level implications of ARs as a tool for ecological restoration.

Field experiments to assess passage of juvenile salmonids across beaver dams during low flow conditions in a tributary to the Klamath River, California, USA.

Across Eurasia and North America, beaver (Castor spp), their dams and their human-built analogues are becoming increasingly common restoration tools to facilitate recovery of streams and wetlands, providing a natural and cost-effective means of restoring dynamic fluvial ecosystems. Although the use of beaver ponds by numerous fish and wildlife species is well documented, debate continues as to the benefits of beaver dams, primarily because dams are perceived as barriers to fish movement, particularly migratory species such as salmonids. In this study, through a series of field experiments, we tested the ability of juvenile salmonids to cross constructed beaver dams (aka beaver dam analogues). Two species, coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead trout (O. mykiss), were tracked using passive integrated transponder tags (PIT tags) as they crossed constructed beaver dam analogues. We found that when we tagged and moved these fishes from immediately upstream of the dams to immediately downstream of them, most were detected upstream within 36 hours of displacement. By the end of a 21-day field experiment, 91% of the displaced juvenile coho and 54% of the juvenile steelhead trout were detected on antennas upstream of the dams. In contrast, during the final week of the 21-day experiment, just 1 of 158 coho salmon and 6 of 40 (15%) of the steelhead trout were still detected on antennas in the release pool below the dams. A similar but shorter 4-day pilot experiment with only steelhead trout produced similar results. In contrast, in a non-displacement experiment, juveniles of both species that were captured, tagged and released in a pool 50 m below the dams showed little inclination to move upstream. Further, by measuring hydraulic conditions at the major flowpaths over and around the dams, we provide insight into low-flow conditions under which juvenile salmonids are able to cross these constructed beaver dams, and that multiple types of flowpaths may be beneficial towards assisting fish movement past instream restoration structures. Finally, we compared estimates of the number of juvenile salmonids using the pond habitat upstream of the dam relative to the number that the dam may have prevented from moving upstream. Upstream of the dams we found an abundance of juvenile salmonids and a several orders of magnitude difference in favor of the number of juveniles using the pond habitat upstream of the dam. In sum, our study suggests beaver dams, BDAs, and other channel spanning habitat features should be preserved and restored rather than removed as perceived obstructions to fish passage.

Review of Effects of Dam Construction on the Ecosystems of River Estuary and Nearby Marine Areas

Dams have made great contributions to human society, facilitating flood control, power generation, shipping, agriculture, and industry. However, the construction of dams greatly impacts downstream ecological environments and nearby marine areas. The present manuscript presents a comprehensive review of the influence of human activities on the environment, especially the effect of dam construction on the ecosystems of river estuaries and nearby marine areas, so as to provide a scientific basis for ecological environment protection. To summarize these impacts, this review used recent studies to comprehensively analyze how dam construction has affected river hydrology, geomorphology, and downstream ecosystems globally. Effects of dams on ecosystems occur through reduced river flow, reduced sediment flux, altered water temperature, changed estuary delta, altered composition and distribution of nutrients, altered structure and distribution of phytoplankton populations, habitat fragmentation, and blocked migration routes in river sections and adjacent seas. Effects of dam construction (especially the Three Gorges Dam) on the Yangtze River were also reviewed. Performing community and mitigation planning before dam construction, exploring new reservoir management strategies (including targeted control of dam storage and flushing sediment operations), banning fishing activities, and removing unnecessary dams (obsolete or small dams) are becoming crucial tools for ecosystem restoration.

A Biodiversity Boost From the Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) in Germany’s Oldest National Park

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Beavers are important engineers in freshwater ecosystems and reintroduction programs have enabled the recovery of beaver populations in several European countries, but the impact on biodiversity conservation is still unclear. We studied the effects of beavers on the terrestrial biodiversity of eight taxonomic groups by comparing beaver ponds with river and forest habitats in a mountain forest ecosystem in Central Europe. Among the 1,166 collected species, 196 occurred exclusively at beaver ponds, 192 in plots at the river, and 156 in the forest plots. More species of conservation concern were found at the beaver ponds (76) than on the river (67) and forest (63) plots. Abundances of bats and birds were higher at the beaver ponds than at the river or forest sites. The number of bird species at the beaver ponds was higher than at the river. The community composition of birds, beetles, and true bugs differed significantly between the beaver ponds and river plots, and for seven taxonomic groups it differed significantly between the beaver ponds and forest plots. An indicator species analysis revealed eight indicator species for the beaver pond but none for the river and forest plots. Our results demonstrate that beavers, as ecological engineers, increase habitat heterogeneity in mountain forests and thereby promote biodiversity. The expansion of beaver populations into these ecosystems should thus be supported, as it may serve as a biotic restoration tool.

Seedlot Selection Tool and Climate‐Smart Restoration Tool: Web‐based tools for sourcing seed adapted to future climates

AbstractThe Seedlot Selection Tool and Climate‐Smart Restoration Tool are web‐based tools designed to match seedlots with planting sites assuming that seedlots are adapted to the past climates in which they evolved, primarily with respect to temperature and aridity. The tools map the climatic match of seedlots with the past or projected climates of planting sites. The challenge is that future climates are a moving target, which means that seedlots must be adapted to the near‐term climates as well as the climates of the mid‐ to late‐21st century. Because climate projections are uncertain, the prudent approach is to aim for the warmest climate that may be expected while ensuring that seedlots moved from warmer to colder locales are not moved so far that they risk cold damage. Uncertainty in climate projections may be mitigated by ensuring genetic diversity through mixing seed sources and having collections from many parents per seed source. Three examples illustrate how to effectively use the web tools: (1) choosing seedlots targeting different future climates for a mid‐elevation Douglas‐fir site in the Washington Cascades, (2) finding current and future seed sources for restoration of big sagebrush after fires in the Great Basin and Snake River Plain, and (3) planning to ensure that a Douglas‐fir seed inventory includes seedlots suitable for future climates in western Oregon and Washington.

Identifying effective tree planting schemes to restore forest carbon and biodiversity in Shiretoko National Park, Japan

Growing interest in ecosystem restoration has recently turned the focus on tree planting, one of the most widely used restoration tools globally. Here, we study the restoration potential of tree planting in a cool‐temperate forest in Shiretoko National Park, northern Japan. We used simulation modeling to investigate the long‐term success of tree planting in restoring biodiversity and the climate change mitigation function relative to intact natural forests. Specifically, we investigated 31 different restoration scenarios, consisting of five planting densities (1,000–10,000 trees/ha) × six levels of planted tree species richness (one to six species) + one no‐planting scenario. We examined these scenarios at different distances from natural forests serving as a seed source (0–300 m) to quantify the potential for natural regeneration. In restoration areas in close proximity to a natural forest, species‐rich high‐density planting scenario performed best, reaching >50% of the reference values from intact natural forests within 33 years for both restoration goals. However, variation in restoration outcomes was small when >2,500 trees/ha of more than four species were planted, regardless of distance to seed source. In contrast, biodiversity restoration was considerably delayed in scenarios where planted species richness was low as well as in restoration areas that were far from a seed source yet relied solely on natural regeneration. We here demonstrate how forest landscape simulation can be used to identify viable restoration options for managers across multiple restoration goals as an important step to bridge the research–implementation gap in forest restoration.

Dynamics of stump sprout regeneration after transformation to multiaged management in coast redwood forests

There is considerable interest in multiaged management as a silvicultural and restoration tool in redwood forests of California. For multiaged silviculture to be successful, a new cohort of trees must first be able to regenerate underneath the residual overstory. We used annual re-measurement data from a replicated manipulative experiment in coastal northern California to determine how understory light, stand density, and spatial arrangement of residual trees affected coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) stump sprouts regenerating after partial harvest of conifers and felling-to-waste of tanoak. Four treatments (group selection, aggregated retention, low-density dispersed retention, and high-density dispersed retention) were applied at each replicate on redwood-dominated sites. Height growth of redwood sprouts was 49% greater than tanoak sprouts across all treatments. Redwood and tanoak sprouts were sensitive to overstory density. Redwood sprouts were marginally taller under high-density aggregated versus dispersed overstory trees at the same residual stand density (39.5 m2/ha BA). Sprout growth correlated with understory light; redwood sprouts exhibited a significant increase in sensitivity to light availability from year 2 to year 6. No differences in redwood sprout growth were detected when retaining a residual tree on the same root system versus sprouts growing on a root system where all redwood stems were cut. Our finding that cutting unwanted hardwoods in tandem with partial harvesting of merchantable conifers can maintain a competitive advantage for redwood sprouts versus tanoaks is an important consideration for maintaining redwood dominance when transitioning to multiaged management.

UNDERSTORY RESPONSE TO RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES IN A SEQUOIA SEMPERVIRENS (CUPRESSACEAE) FOREST

The use of mechanical thinning as a restoration tool in second-growth Sequoia sempervirens (D.Don) Endl. forests is becoming increasingly common, yet little is known about how this treatment affects understory plant communities. The shade tolerant herbaceous species common to the Coast Redwood forest are known to be sensitive to disturbance and may provide a metric for assessing the recovery of the plant community as a whole. Stratified random sampling was used to compare understory composition in old-growth reference stands, naturally recovering forests (57–65 years old), and sites treated with variable density thinning (65 years old; 10–12 years post thinning) in Redwood National Park. Pairwise permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PerMANOVA) indicated greater abundance of native herbs, and lower abundance of non-natives, in old-growth and naturally recovering second-growth compared to thinned stands. Non-metric multidimensional scaling suggested that un-thinned sites were more similar to old-growth than thinned sites in regard to understory composition and abundance, and indicator species analysis returned a suite of indicator species shared between naturally recovering plots and old-growth plots (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn; Trillium ovatum Pursh; Dryopteris arguta (Kaulf.) Maxon; Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth; Vaccinium ovatum Pursh; Gaultheria shallon Pursh; Rubus spectabilis Pursh; Rhododendron macrophyllum D.Don ex G.Don), while thinned plots shared only one indicator species with old-growth (Goodyera oblongifolia Raf.). In addition, both old-growth and naturally recovering un-thinned second-growth sites were dominated by residual species, while thinned plots were dominated by invader species.

Can top-down effects of planktivorous fish removal be used to mitigate cyanobacterial blooms in large subtropical highland lakes?

Removal of planktivorous fish is used extensively in northern temperate lakes to reduce phytoplankton abundance via enhanced zooplankton grazing. However, whether this method would work also in large subtropical highland lakes to alleviate cyanobacterial blooms is unknown. We conducted a one-year pilot in situ experiment where we removed a substantial biomass of fish in a fenced-in area, followed by a 3-year whole-lake experiment where the dominant fish species (Japanese smelt) was removed in Lake Erhai in southwest China. The fencing experiments showed that between July and November, when the biomass of the removed stock reached 4 g/m2, the zooplankton biomass inside the fence increased significantly compared to a control fence. In the full-lake experiment, we found that sustained removal of Japanese smelt led to an increase in the biomass of cladocerans (Daphnia spp. but especially of Bosmina spp.) and a significant decrease in the biomass of Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta. Additionally, a marked increase in the ratio of zooplankton to phytoplankton biomass, as well as an increase in the body size of cladocerans, emphasising the importance of enhanced top-down control for mitigating cyanobacterial blooms following extensive fish removal. Our results reveal that removal of small fish (here Japanese smelt) can lead to a reduction of the phytoplankton and cyanobacteria biomass through a trophic cascade in highland deep subtropical lakes. Thus fish removal may be a feasible additional restoration tool to external nutrient loading reduction in such lakes.

Responses of Soil Microbial Metabolic Activity and Community Structure to Different Degraded and Restored Grassland Gradients of the Tibetan Plateau.

Climate change and land-use disturbances are supposed to have severely affected the degraded alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau. Artificial grassland establishment has been implemented as a restoration tool against grassland degradation. However, the impact of such degradation and restoration processes on soil microbial communities and soil quality is not clearly understood. Here, we aim to investigate how the dynamics of microbial community and soil quality of alpine grasslands respond to a gradient of degradation and that of restoration, respectively. We conducted a randomised experiment with four degradation stages (light, moderate, heavy, and extreme degradation) and three restoration stages (artificial restoration for 1, 5, and 10 years). We analysed the abundance and diversity of soil bacteria and fungi, and measured soil nutrients, enzymatic activity and microbial biomass. The concentration of soil nitrogen (TN), soil organic matter (OM) in heavy degraded grassland decreased significantly by 37.4 and 45.08% compared with that in light degraded grassland. TN and OM in 10-years restored grassland also increased significantly by 33.10 and 30.42% compared to that in 1-year restored grassland. Four soil enzymatic activity indicators related to microbial biomass decreased with degradation gradient and increased with recovery time (i.e., restoration gradient). Both bacterial and fungal community structure was significantly different among grassland degradation or restoration successional stages. The LEfSe analysis revealed that 29 fungal clades and 9 bacterial clades were susceptible to degraded succession, while16 fungal clades and 5 bacterial clades were susceptible to restoration succession. We conclude that soil quality (TN, OM, and enzymatic activity) deteriorated significantly in heavy degraded alpine grassland. Soil microbial community structure of alpine is profoundly impacted by both degradation and restoration processes, fungal communities are more sensitive to grassland succession than bacterial communities. Artificial grasslands can be used as an effective method of restoring degraded grassland, but the soil functions of artificial grassland, even after 10 years of recovery, cannot be restored to the original state of alpine grassland.

Experimental assessment of endozoochorous dispersal of Prosopis flexuosa seeds by domestic ungulates

AbstractQuestionThe spatial and temporal dynamics of plant communities in various ecosystems are shaped by the movements of seeds expressed as different dispersal modes. In desert rangeland, many plants produce relatively large fruits that are limited in their long‐distance dispersal abilities and, therefore, depend on transport inside animals, a process termed endozoochory. Evaluating the effectiveness of this process from experimental data is crucial for assessing the potential of domestic ungulates as effective long‐distance seed dispersers and, consequently, as management and restoration tools in degraded rangelands.MethodsIn this study we jointly estimated recovery, gut retention time (RT) and germination probability of Prosopis flexuosa seeds (a tree species of Monte desert in Argentina) transported by goats, horses and cattle (n = 4) through a seed‐feeding experiment. Also, in horses and cattle, we used plastic particles to distinguish between seed loss due to mastication and due to degradation in the gut.ResultsResults showed higher seed recovery in horses (26%) than in cattle (3%) and goats (5%), and different values of RT and germination of seeds among species (in decreasing order, RT was: cattle > goats > horses; and germination was: goat > horses > cattle = control seeds).ConclusionsWe concluded that the quality of seed treatment by horses is better than by the other species, because of the high seed recovery and high germination compared to control seeds. To get a complete picture of this mutualistic interaction, future studies could inquire about the physical and chemical properties of faeces as substrate and the environmental conditions of sites where seeds are deposited.

A metabarcoding approach for the study of biodeterioration of ancient wall paintings in an Italian cave

AbstractCaves represent unique habitats for the development of microbial communities due to particular environmental conditions. Mural paintings occurring in caves suffer from degradation caused by natural processes in which microorganisms are significantly involved. The characterization of the microbial biofilm with non-destructive analysis is important to better preserve and safeguard these artifacts. This study aimed at investigating the microbial communities colonising the frescoes in the Fornelle cave (Calvi Risorta, Caserta, Italy) using a metabarcoding approach. We found a high representation of eubacteria, followed by cyanobacteria, fungi, and microalgae. This study confirmed the potential of non-invasive techniques as DNA metabarcoding as powerful tool for conservation and restoration of artworks.

The Conservation and Restoration of Riparian Forests along Caribbean Riverbanks Using Legume Trees

In the actual context of global change and biodiversity depletion, soil bioengineering represents an important tool for riparian ecosystem restoration and species conservation. Various techniques have already been implemented, but their adaptation still must be carried out in Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspots, where suitable species remains unknown. Nitrogen-fixing legumes are particularly relevant for ecological restoration and the diversity of native Caribbean legume trees is promising in the search for suitable species for soil bioengineering. We hypothesized that Caribbean legume tree species present a growth performance and set of biotechnical traits compatible with their use in soil bioengineering. We selected five native legume trees, adapted to riparian environments, in different ecosystems (swamp forest, evergreen seasonal forest, rainforest) based on their ecology, resistance to disturbance and seed production characteristics. We measured root traits relevant for soil bioengineering on nursery grown 3-month-old seedlings. Despite their differences in sensitivity to herbivory and in growth strategies, the selected species have a high potential for use in soil bioengineering, with high seed production, high germination rates—from 88 to 100%—, and 100% survival rates, and are therefore compatible with large scale plant material production. We provided practical guidance tools for their integration into soil bioengineering techniques.

Using the Resist‐Accept‐Direct management framework to respond to climate‐driven transformations in marine ecosystems

AbstractClimate change is impacting natural ecosystems and the services they provide at an unprecedented rate, yet management is not keeping pace with radical ecosystem transformations. Management in marine systems is primarily designed to regulate fishing pressures, which may be of limited use in addressing large‐scale climate impacts. The Resist‐Accept‐Direct (RAD) is a flexible, novel framework that gives managers a way to structure and plan how to respond to radical shifts/transformations in ecosystems. We present marine case studies of broad scale impacts and outline how the responses may fit into the RAD concept. We use the RAD framework to address the collapse of the kelp forest in northern California and examine how potential policy guiding restoration strategies can be organised. We conclude that the response to most marine ecosystem transformations has been to use the resist strategy that includes adaptive management, and we suggest that for the kelp forests in California the resist strategy provides the best option for moving forward. The RAD framework will be useful for marine ecosystem transformations in which systems have reached their tipping points and now require novel restoration tools and thinking as we face climate change stressors and an unpredictable future.

Multispecies fishways in a Mediterranean river: Contributions as migration corridors and compensatory habitat for fish

River connectivity is essential for the resilience of fish assemblages and populations and is a priority goal to reach good ecological status for river systems. Increasing knowledge on the functionality of restoration tools such as fishways is relevant for future management strategies. The present two-year assessment showed clear ecological contributions of different types of multispecies fishways in the fish assemblage of a strongly modified Mediterranean-type river. Just after their implementation, early and extended use by dominant river-resident fish of both naturelike and technical fishways were observed. All fishways were used in different seasons, especially during the migratory periods by potamodromous cyprinids, suggesting a possible use as migration corridors. Fishways also may provide compensatory habitats for small and juvenile individuals throughout the annual cycles, mostly for rheophilic fish inside nature-like bypasses and for limnophilics inside technical types. Fluvial habitat characteristics and lower flow variability inside the fishways could favour their role as a fish refuge, mainly to juveniles of cyprinids, in heavily regulated rivers where large flow fluctuations occurred. Nature-like fishways could be a better option to function as a compensatory habitat for rheophilic cyprinids in Mediterranean-type Rivers, even more because their use by large nonnative limnophilics seems to be very scarce. However, technical fishways could offer the opportunity to establish control traps of some nonnative fish, which could be of interest to reduce the risk of spreading invasive fish. Therefore, fish ecology and local hydrology should drive the decision between the types to implement. The obtained information on the ecological functionality of multispecies fishways should be considered for applying successful river restorations that are demanded by water and wildlife management schemes (e.g., the European Water Framework Directive).