Resource Database

Effects of simulated N deposition on photosynthesis and productivity of key plants from different functional groups of alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Little is known about the response mechanisms of individual plants in alpine regions to N deposition. We conducted a field experiment with three treatments, including 0 kg N ha^-1 year-1 (CK), 8 kg N ha^-1 year-1 (Low N), and 72 kg N ha^-1 year-1 (High N) established to simulate N deposition in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. The results showed that responses of alpine plants were species-specific under N deposition. Compared with grass species (Agropyron cristatum) and forb species (Thalictrum aquilegifolium), the sedge species (Carex melanantha) was much more sensitive to N deposition; a lower N load (8 kg N ha^-1year-1) can cause a negative effect on its photosynthesis and productivity. Additionally, N deposition can promote plant N uptake and significantly decreased the C/N ratio. High N deposition inhibited the photosynthesis and growth of the forb species Thalictrum aquilegifolium and sedge species Carex melanantha. In all three functional types of herbage species, the grass species A. cristatum tended to show a much higher photosynthetic capacity and better growth potential; thus, suggesting that grass species A. cristatum will be a more adaptive alpine plants under N deposition. Our findings suggested that plant photosynthetic responses to N deposition were species-specific, low N deposition was not beneficial for all herbage species, and N deposition may change plant composition by the differential photosynthetic responses among species in alpine grassland. Plant composition shifts to grass-dominance in alpine regions might be attributed to a much higher photosynthetic potential and N use efficiency of grass species.

The impact of grazing systems on structure and function of alpine grassland for sustainable restoration and management

The alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has long been subjected to grazing by local livestock, yak, and Tibetan sheep. The alpine grassland grazing ecosystem provides vital ecological services for the region and fundamental living supports (economic services) for the local residents. However, grassland degradation due to artificial disturbance (over-grazing) and climate change has resulted in profound losses of both ecological and economic services of the alpine grassland. In order to explore the most sustainable grazing management, we have conducted a series of manipulated grazing experiments to evaluate the impact of different grazing systems on the structure and functions of the alpine grassland. The experiments involve grazing intensity, annual/seasonal grazing regime, and different livestock species (yak and Tibetan sheep) under moderate grazing. The results showed that: (1) Grazing intensity dramatically influenced species composition and community structure; (2) Heavy grazing intensity not only decreased community biomass but also reduced forage quality because of the loss of palatable grasses and augmentation of weeds; (3) The seasonal grazing regime had less effect on plant composition when compared to  continuous grazing; (4) The structure of the plant community was relatively stable under moderate grazing irrespective of livestock species; (5) Yak grazing increased soil total carbon (STC) but decreased soil total phosphorus (STP), whereas sheep grazing decreased STC but increased STP, and neither of the two livestock species had an impact on STN.

Selection of suitable plant species for alpine meadow protection near an open-pit copper mine in Tibet

The open-pit mining of copper mines has brought tremendous economic benefits to Tibet while seriously damaging the local alpine meadows. This study describes an effective approach to select suitable plant species for reducing interference from mining in the Qulong copper mine in Tibet. We compared soil variables, vegetation structure, and floristic composition along different gradients (10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400 m) from the mine. Soil variables showed a general trend over the gradient of increasing soil organic matter, total carbon, and nitrogen, but a reduction in soil pH, Cu, As, Cr, Ni, and Pb. Most of the heavy metal content exceeds the background value of the region, which means that all the samples have been contaminated with heavy metals from mining activity. It also suggested that the impact of copper mining on the surrounding ecological environment is over 400 m. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analyses revealed that great differences in vegetation community composition existed in the sampled plots, even those at similar distances from mining areas, which indicates that disturbance distance was not the only factor to determine the vegetation community. The results of Canonical Correlation Analyses showed that Cu was the main soil variable affecting the vegetation diversity in this region. Malva sylvestris, a perennial erect herb, had the highest tolerance to Cu. The use of Malva sylvestris to isolate the mining area from the fragile alpine meadow area is an effective method to reduce the damage of mining to the regional ecosystem.

Soil seed banks in the alpine grassland ecosystem: Structure and function during vegetation degradation and restoration

Although soil seed banks have long existed in alpine ecosystems, current studies indicate that soil seed banks are not very effective in maintaining function in stable alpine vegetation, especially those of alpine vegetation system that rely heavily on asexual reproduction. Based on analyses of the soil seed bank and vegetation changes in the alpine ecosystem globally and analysis of changes in the soil seed bank in alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau, we found the following: 1) With severe environmental changes, the impact of soil seed banks on vegetation in alpine ecosystems immediately had a strong driving effect, 2) In the process of vegetation degradation, some species with enormous seed numbers in the soil became the dominant populations in the process of dynamic vegetation change (e.g. Artemisia spp., Potentilla spp., Koenigia spp.), 3) The soil seed bank density of some species is continuously enhanced, making the toxic weed community formed more stable after the disturbance, and making difficult colonization by some native plants, 4) Relying on native vegetation’s soil seed banks (e.g. Kobresia spp., Poa spp.) to recover degraded grasslands is difficult, and 5) Artificial soil seed bank donations can help the reconstruction of vegetation and accelerate the near-natural recovery process of vegetation. Therefore, we should pay attention to the preservation and adoption of donation technology for native plant seed banks in alpine grassland. These can help to obtain faster natural recovery processes in the restoration engineering of degraded alpine ecosystems.

Long-term evidence of wetland change: Accommodating variability in setting restoration options

Long term records of wetland change reveal considerable variation in response to climate variability, anthropogenic catchment change, and the natural evolutionary pathways of aquatic systems. For wetland restoration this suggests that there is no single identifiable condition that may represent a target for management actions. Almost fifty years ago nations signed the Ramsar Convention for the protection of the world’s most significant wetlands in response to the recognition of the widespread loss and degradation of critical habitat, particularly for birds and fish. Under the Convention, governments are required to identify the natural ecological character of their nominated wetlands. In most instances this condition was that described at the time of listing. More recently the Convention is seeking signatory parties to identify the limits of acceptable change to their listed wetlands. There are many listed wetlands across Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin and the nominated natural character of many is in contrast to that revealed by paleoecological records of their past state. This longer-term view could broaden options for management and allow the drivers of change to be better identified and mitigated and so allow restoration measures to be better targeted into the future.

Long-term change in the forest-grassland mosaic of Central Highlands, Madagascar, and its conservation implications

Ecosystem degradation has been reported worldwide but particularly in the tropics where it was accentuated by deforestation. For Madagascar, the Central Highlands, thought to have been covered by forest, are currently dominated by grassland. As a result, restoration projects were conducted in these areas, but so far, very few results have been recorded. However, the success of such an approach can only be guaranteed with full understanding of ecological processes which occur on a scale of centuries to millennia. This research aims to reconstruct the vegetation and fire history of two sites in the region during the Holocene using fossil pollen, carbon isotopes, and microscopic charcoal in sediment samples. Results show that the first site, Ambohitantely, was dominated by C3 plants before 1300 yr BP, confirmed by the abundance of Podocarpus (Podocarpaceae), Syzygium (Myrtaceae), Proteaceae, and Ericaceae pollen, but shifted to C4 plants (Poaceae dominated) from 1300 yr BP to the present period. Current abundance of grassland in the area correlated positively with increased fire events as identified through charcoals. However, Dangolahy, the second site, displayed an abundance of C3 plants over time from the late Holocene even with the slight increase in grass at the near present period, which coincides with increase of charcoals. These results indicate that within the Central Highlands, there were internal differences in vegetation histories which suggest different management strategies. If Ambohitantely would benefit from restoration projects by reintroducing its tree component, Dangolahy would require monitoring of fire frequency to maintain its local biodiversity.

Palaeoecology as a valuable source of information for restoration practices in globally endangered habitats: A case study from a Mediterranean seasonal wetland

Seasonal wetlands are small, shallow water bodies that are usually waterlogged during the rainy season only. They develop as a consequence of high phreatic levels, almost exclusively in areas under Mediterranean climate. Here, they represent highly diverse habitats, delivering important environmental services such as water provisioning and purification. This is key in areas undergoing summer drought. They are globally threatened by human impact and environmental change, making their restoration a priority. Seasonal wetlands represent potential palaeoecological archives and consequently are valuable records of environmental and land-use change capable of revealing their long-term ecological history. Here, a high-resolution multi-proxy case study from a seasonal wetland in the Western Mediterranean (Doñana National Park, southwestern Spain) is presented. The palaeoecological analyses (palynological, microcharcoal, magnetic susceptibility, loss on ignition and diversity analyses) reveal the intermittent development of ~300–500-year-long wetland phases along the last ~6900 years. The development of wetlands is linked to dune immobilization during humid periods, whereas during arid periods mobile dunes cover them. This suggests that geomorphological dynamism is the baseline state for this system, ultimately controlling wetland development and biodiversity. Restoration efforts here should focus on the management of Pinus pinea, (a keystone species associated to substrate dynamism) to promote the development of landscapes capable of maintaining wetlands under the current aridification trend. In conclusion, palaeoecological reconstructions, as here exemplified, can provide a link between long-term historical data, present landscape intervention, and future scenario projection for these endangered but yet of utmost importance habitats.

Shifting baselines in the restoration ecology of Renosterveld

Ecological baselines are important in informing restoration targets. Baselines can shift, however, depending on the timescale of observation. Using observations from the past few years or decades can give a misleading impression of the historical range of variability, and the extent of recent human transformation. Palaeoecological techniques can track interacting effects of climate change and land-use on vegetation composition and fire regimes over decadal–millennial timescales, thereby informing ecologically possible conservation management options and restoration targets. In the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, European settlement and subsequent land transformation led to dramatic changes in land-cover. Ninety-six percent of Renosterveld, a highly diverse indigenous shrubland, has been transformed. Thus, appropriate management of remaining fragments is critical to biodiversity conservation. However, we know little of the Renosterveld landscapes before the mid-17th century. This study used fossil pollen, coprophilous fungal spores and charcoal to track vegetation, herbivory and fire at centennial timescales in one of the few remaining Renosterveld fragments. Results showed that the current landscape is atypical compared with the long-term history of the site, with higher abundance of Renosterbos (Elytropappus rhinocerotis), local fires, and herbivory that reflect intensive utilisation beginning in the mid-20th century. To accommodate uncertainties in future environmental change, we recommend an adaptive management approach, which incorporates palaeoecological analyses, burning and grazing experiments, and long-term monitoring. Managing the integrity of Renosterveld at this site according to a pre-colonial baseline requires lower levels of herbivory and fire.

Using long-term ecological data to establish benchmarks for restoration in South African drylands

The Succulent Karoo biome forms part of one of the most arid regions of South Africa and is recognised by the IUCN as a biodiversity hotspot. Historical landscape photographs from this biome illustrate the condition of the landscape a century ago and are an under-utilised source of ecological data in an otherwise data-deficient geographic region. Taking contemporary repeats of historical photographs provides a valuable means of comparison between the past and present condition of the landscape. The observed changes in various land cover classes from several sites in the Tanqua Karoo (Northern Cape) are attributed to major changes in land-use, notably a decrease in livestock as a consequence of de-agrarianisation and a shift to a more conservation-oriented function of privately-owned farms. Long-term ecological research emanating from Tierberg-LTER in Prince Albert (Western Cape) with over 30 years of climatic and ecological data demonstrates the utility of routine monitoring and resampling of fixed plots over successive years in providing insight into the influence of different livestock stocking rates, changing climatic conditions, and extreme weather events such as drought. These examples highlight the usefulness of various sources of long-term ecological data in establishing benchmarks for restoration and rehabilitation in the economically and ecologically important Karoo region of South Africa.

Long-term change in the biomes of southern Africa: Implications for restoration ecology

Humans have changed the environment in profound ways.  What we see around us today may be nothing like the kind of environment that existed centuries or even only a few decades earlier and, as a result, acceptable baseline conditions might also have changed. This has important implications for the setting of reference points for restoration ecology. Using an analysis of repeat photographs, we summarise the changes that have occurred in the major biomes of southern Africa over the last 100 years. The results show that the Succulent Karoo biome has remained relatively stable over time, although woody plant cover has increased in ephemeral river environments.  Woody plants have also expanded into fynbos biome environments on the Cape Peninsula as a result of fire protection policies that are currently in place. The eastern part of the semi-arid Nama-Karoo biome has become significantly more grassy since the mid-20th century while grass cover has also increased in the more arid parts of the Grassland biome. The Savanna biome has experienced a significant increase in woody plant cover over the last 100 years in both the mesic and arid parts of this biome. These results are discussed in the context of changing land use practices in the region.  The number of animals utilising southern African environments have declined significantly over time while fire regimes have also changed. Understanding the different ways in which land use has influenced environmental outcomes provides restoration ecologists with the tools to influence particular trajectories of change.

Threshold dynamics in the use of mobile bomas (livestock corrals) for rangeland rehabilitation

Bomas (livestock corrals) create hotspots (or glades) within tropical savanna or grassland matrices and can be used to rehabilitate degraded rangeland. High soil and foliar nutrient content within the site are maintained by feedback mechanisms – notably, increased use by wild herbivores. The duration of boma occupancy varies and more frequent relocation (shorter occupancy) could increase the area rehabilitated per unit time. However, little is known about the minimum – or threshold – occupancy duration necessary to establish the feedbacks that maintain hotspots/glades. This study consisted of five replicates of five treatments: bomas occupied for 0 (control), 4, 7, 14 and 28 days. Vegetation and animal dung (a proxy of use) were monitored at several time points. The threshold for graminoid and total herbaceous cover appeared to be crossed by all treatments >0 days. But the 4-day treatment did not show a significantly lower percentage of either short-lived grass cover or species richness (indicators of glades) than the control. Use by wild herbivores in the 14- and 28-day treatments was significantly higher than in the control, but the 4- and 7-day treatments were not. These results show that the thresholds are dependent on the focal variable. Although bomas occupied for shorter periods reduce bare ground and increase herbaceous cover effectively, they may not attract enough herbivores to instigate feedbacks required to maintain the elevated soil and foliar nutrient contents characteristic of glades over longer time periods. These findings also emphasize the importance of monitoring multiple variables for assessing restoration success.

A landscape approach is needed to improve farmers’ livelihoods while reforesting degraded reserves in Ghana

A study about the patterns of deforestation in Ghana from 1986 to 2015 identified that expansion of agriculture is a major contributor to deforestation in the country. The study therefore recommended the practice of agricultural intensification on existing farmlands to reduce farm expansion into the remaining forest. However, the intensity of the deforestation has turned some forest reserves into grassland. Sustainable Development Goal 15 stresses the protection of remaining forest and the restoration of degraded forest through afforestation. We therefore studied the willingness of farmers to participate in a reforestation project as a means to restore degraded forest and support the livelihood of farmers. We used Ongwam II Forest Reserve in the Ashanti region of Ghana, and we engaged farmers in two communities fringing the forest reserve for the research. We found that farmers’ level of participation in reforestation is determined by the worth of their farm in the forest, the location of their farm, farming experience, the location of the project, and the motivation attached to the project. Inter-planting food crops with trees could reduce the effects of arable farming on deforestation, limit the clearance of trees from farmlands, and enhance the provision of ecosystem services. The effective implementation of several small-scale reforestation projects could together lead to forest transition, more trees in agricultural systems, and better protection of residual natural forests.

Germination strategies of selected Kuwaiti desert plants and their implications for dryland restoration

Desert plants use a number of strategies to survive in arid environments, which are characterized by extremely high temperature, intense radiation, strong winds, low and erratic rainfall, high evaporation rates, soil erosion, and lower nutrient availability. These species produce certain structures that help in seed dispersal to suitable microsites and/or regulate their germination response to prevailing conditions. Some species also produce heteromorphic seeds or maintain aerial seed banks to cope with extreme environmental conditions. The adaptive mechanisms in three of Kuwait’s native plants, namely, Farsetia aegyptia Turra (presence mucilage), Seidlitzia rosmarinus Boiss. (presence of wings) and Calligonum comosum (heteromorphic seeds) were studied and their germination behavior under different temperature and light regimes and elevated salinity conditions was determined in the present study. Irrespective of incubation temperature regimes and photoperiods, de-winged S. rosmarinus seeds germinated better (76-88% total germination) than intact seeds (24-41%) with the low temperature regime (20/15 °C) resulting in 10% higher germination (85-88% vs. 76-78%). Although the presence of mucilage and thermoperiod did not affect the germination, longer storage significantly increased the germinabilty of C. comosum seeds. Increasing salinity levels decreased the germination of all three species, but ungerminated seeds were able to germinate when the salinity stress was alleviated. These mechanisms allow them to minimize the impact of adverse habitat conditions and maintain seed viability. The implications of these adaptive mechanisms for dryland restoration will be discussed in this paper.

The importance of root hydraulic function for the survival of planted seedlings in dry conditions

Root function and growth is critically important to the survival and performance of planted seedlings, especially in ecosystems with seasonal dry periods. In many restoration sites, limited access to soil moisture has the potential to reduce outplanting success. Root hydraulic conductance, Kr, measures the capacity of a plant’s root system to supply the shoot with water. Kr can be impacted by planting practices, environmental conditions, and subsequent seedling growth. Using techniques from plant hydraulic physiology, we conducted a greenhouse experiment to measure changes in root hydraulic conductance in Douglas-fir seedlings (Pseudotsuga menziesii) after transplanting. Douglas-fir is a key forest species in the western United States and planted Douglas-fir seedlings must survive summers with very little rainfall. We found that Kr increased linearly with seedling leaf area in well-watered conditions. However, in water-limited conditions, Kr did not increase as seedlings grew new needles, which in turn reduced photosynthesis and lowered total seedling biomass. These results indicate that water limitation changes root function even before the seedlings experience xylem cavitation and in ways that impact the water supply to the shoot. From these conclusions, we emphasize the importance of restoration practices that can mitigate water stress after planting, such as the timing of planting, site preparation methods that reduce competition for soil water, and nursery growing and handling protocols that promote high capacity for root growth. Careful attention to root quality, understanding root function, and taking actions to ensure root growth will be important for the success of restoration with planted seedlings.

Using dispersal and germination life traits of native vegetation to promote ecological restoration in southern New Caledonia

New Caledonia is considered to be one of the main “hotspots” of biological conservation. Its exceptional level of endemism is increasingly threatened by the expansion of human activities. One of the most important threats is habitat fragmentation due in part to fires and mine exploration on ultramafic massifs that erodes habitat quality. Natural environments affected must be restored to maintain the ecosystem services they provide. Over the past 40 years, revegetation techniques have aimed to reduce the impacts of erosion. However ecological restoration has only been pioneered in the past 15 years. Present research compliments previous studies and aims to (1) characterize dispersal and germination of plant species found in early successional maquis and forest mosaics on the Goro plateau in southern New Caledonia, (2) evaluate the trajectory of mine revegetation plantations based on the life traits of the species used from surrounding vegetation. A database was constructed and presents data dealing with 41 life-traits of 407 taxa found in the vegetation mosaic. In addition, an assessment restoration progress using the five-star recovery system developed by SER was conducted from surveys and measurements of both planted and colonizing vegetation. Finally, inventories of surrounding natural vegetation provided details of their structure and composition that highlight the ecological succession and permitted establishment of a local indigenous reference ecosystem. Recommendations based on results were provided to managers to assist in implementing ecological continuities projects including a list of candidate species to prioritize in future restoration programs.

Testing for evolutionary change in restoration: A genomic comparison between ex situ, native, and commercial seed sources of Helianthus maximiliani

North America’s grasslands are one of the most globally imperiled ecosystems and thus need restoration strategies that maintain evolutionary potential for persistence under rapidly changing conditions. However, the maintenance of evolutionary potential requires genetic variation for adaptive evolution. Thus, increasing our understanding for how preservation and propagation may modify genetic variation of material used in restoration will illustrate the important role evolutionary change may have influencing short- and long-term restoration success. A combination of evolutionary factors, including selection, demographic variation, and founder effects will influence the amount and type of genetic variation available in restoration material. Intentional or unintentional selection of restoration material may contribute to the evolution of seed sources, impacting performance and evolutionary potential following restoration. We examined genomic variation in Helianthus maximiliani, a perennial sunflower distributed across the Great Plains of North America that is commonly used in grassland restorations. We use next-gen sequencing (GBS) approaches to evaluate genomic variation within and among a combination of seed sources; including historical ex situ collections, native populations, and commercial seed sources. Our data suggest that genetic differences have evolved across seed source types. In particular, commercial seed sources exhibit significant genetic differentiation from both ex situ and native seed sources. Future work aims to tease apart the impact different evolutionary processes have had on the genomic structure of the different seed source populations. This work will include an evaluation of whether phenotypic variation in traits important to adaptation have evolved over time and in response to propagation.

State of the research: Using activated carbon in herbicide protection pods to simultaneously reseed desirable species and treat invasive annual weeds

Restoration of desirable plants can be challenging in dryland settings, and the challenge is compounded when competing exotic species are present. Pre-emergent herbicides are frequently used to reduce competition from exotic annual plants prior to seed-based restoration. After application, reseeding desirable species usually must wait up to a year or more until herbicide toxicity has waned, and this herbicide-fallow period necessitates additional site visits to reseed. Also, if rapid annual reinvasion occurs, there may be little benefit from herbicide application. Herbicide protection pod (HPP) technology allows for simultaneous seeding and herbicide application by protecting desirable seeds inside pods or pellets containing activated carbon, thereby eliminating herbicide-fallow periods and allowing for single-entry restoration approaches. This technology has shown promise in multiple laboratory and field experiments to date, but many important questions remain and are under investigation. We present a review of the technology, then summarize recent results and ongoing research with emphasis on 1) optimizing HPP efficacy via modifying size and formulation, 2) comparing different delivery methods, and 3) scaling up production. Optimal HPP formulation and geometry depends on seed size and species, and refinement can decrease cost and improve efficiency. Traditional seed-delivery systems may need modification to ensure maximum performance of this technology. Industrial mass-production will be crucial to scaling up but presents challenges in maintaining product quality. We highlight additional opportunities and challenges and propose goals and priorities for ongoing research of this developing technology, which could prove to be transformative for restoration of invaded drylands.

Tropical savanna restoration by direct seeding: Steps forward

International commitments set a target for Brazil to restore 12 million hectares of natural habitat of which 5 million hectares are within the Cerrado (savanna) region. To achieve such commitments, we need restoration methods that are cost-effective and practical at a large scale. Since 2012, we have tested and developed direct seeding techniques to decrease costs and improve restoration success on grasslands and savannas. More than 200 hectares have been direct seeded to restore areas in central Brazil. The direct seeding techniques have been applied by an increasing number of private and public companies to promote restoration. We were able to establish more than 70 native grasses, shrubs and trees species; and significantly changed soil cover from exotic to native species. However, many challenges persist, especially the control of African grass species, widely introduced for pasturelands that become aggressive invaders. We tested mechanical control of invasive grasses (IG) through repetitive soil plowing before direct seeding and the introduction of different functional groups. A mixture of native species with perennial grasses and fast-growing shrub and tree species improves restoration success, especially in less fertile soils where IG fitness is reduced. Mechanical control decreases IG but does not eliminate them, and it causes severe soil disturbances. The use of chemical control, even inside legally protected areas, is highly recommended to improve restoration success in tropical grasslands and savannas where shading by thick tree layer would eliminate IG but create inadequate restoration endpoints. Improving native species harvesting and seeding techniques is also essential.

A decade of direct seeding for forest restoration in the Brazilian Amazon, Cerrado, and Atlantic biomes

South Amazon forests have been highly deforested since the 1970’s. The Y Ikatu Xingu watershed campaign direct seeded 5 000 ha of forests from 2006 up to 2018. Direct seeding is considered a feasible, inexpensive, and effective method for ecological restoration with advantages that facilitate large-scale use, such as mechanized operations. Nevertheless, little is known about the successional trajectory of tropical forests restored through direct seeding. We sampled 72 direct seeded sites (1-10-y old), three seedling planted sites, and six natural regeneration sites, along a latitudinal gradient of 600 km in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Sites began dominated by herbs and shrubs (green manure, short cycle leguminous), followed by 1 to 5 light-demanding tree species, while slow-growing species were present in the understory. After four years, direct-seeded sites formed a multi-layered canopy and were starting to be colonized by non-planted species. We sampled 90 species from the 152 seeded plus 68 colonizer species. Seeded communities present more orthodox, wind-dispersed seeds than reference forests. However, animal-dispersed and recalcitrant seed traits are found in colonizers. Canopy frequently closed (80%), forming a tall secondary forest with high height-to-diameter ratio trees that do not bifurcate in the first 3 years. Broadcast seeding sites had higher seedling and sapling densities than sites that received other restoration methods. In conclusion, direct seeding was a successful method for tropical forest restoration, promoting a structure that was more like resilient natural regeneration sites than to non-resilient natural regeneration sites and seedling planting sites.

Seed networks for upscaling native seed supply in Brazil

Brazil has committed to restore 12 million hectares of degraded lands by 2030, however, there is a shortage of native seed supply. In this research, we assess the outcomes of six Brazilian seed networks in the Amazon, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest Biomes, and estimate the plant material demanded to achieve the national restoration goal. Seed networks have operated through non-governmental and governmental organisations that link local communities who have produced seeds with restoration markets. Overall, these initiatives have produced 386 tonnes of seeds and engaged 1,046 collectors over the last 10 years. Each collector produced on average 45.5 kg of seed per year, receiving approximately US$270 yearly as cash income, regardless of the year, network or region. We also estimated – based on 2,152 germination tests of 122 species – a germination rate of 39.9 ± 7.9%. Running a Markov Chain Monte Carlo with 10,000 rounds we found a minimum germination rate of 17.75% for the mix of 122 species. Our finds show implementing Brazil’s targets will require from 18,876 to 88,861 tonnes of seeds, and between 9,796 and 14,994 million seedlings depending on the restoration methods adopted. Although there are caveats in these estimates because of lack of knowledge about seed ecology and the complex field interactions and responses, restoration clearly requires a broader investment compared with the current structure and technology available. Although the community-based model is a potential productive arrangement, for spreading initiatives it is essential to overcome the limitations in knowledge and uncertain policies and markets.

Overcoming limiting factors to seedling establishment: Physiological, morphological, spatial, and temporal tactics

Using nursery-produced seedlings for restoration helps achieve on-site objectives by increasing the trajectory of ecosystem services compared with natural regeneration. This function, however, is only possible with quality seedlings that are matched to the objectives with the appropriate morphology, physiology, and genetics. Within the nursery culture environment, it can be possible to express seedling traits that favor establishment on outplanting sites that have a myriad of limiting factors such as depleted soil moisture and competing vegetation. Simple morphological traits that include longer root systems or greater height are logical targets in such instances. One critical aspect to quality seedling attributes that is less understood, however, is how a seedling functions—its physiology. In a sense, morphological attributes are just proxies for physiological functioning. But how do you, or how can you, condition a seedling to “function” for a specific purpose? Nursery culture has the opportunity to lay the foundational building blocks—i.e. quality—on which seedlings rely on for establishment and growth. It stands to reason, that seedling physiological conditioning can offer gains in potentially limiting outplanting conditions. Unfortunately, the direct links from nursery culture to physiology on the outplanting site are not fully realized. Our research explores the intersection of building target seedlings by varying nursery culture to match outplanting conditions with a better understanding of morpho-physiological functioning.

Maximizing seedling outplanting success with organic soil amendments

Soil organic matter (SOM) is critical for ensuring both forest soil and tree health. Although soil organic matter represents only 5% of the soil, it is critical for cation exchange capacity, water and nutrient retention, and overall site productivity.  However, increased populations and a changing climate have contributed to the loss or degradation of SOM. It is critical to understand how soil texture and the type of organic amendment may interact to alter soil processes before planting for site restoration.  Restoring organic carbon can help reverse soil productivity declines and improve plant establishment and growth. Application of organic matter to soils can supply needed plant nutrients and can improve water holding capacity to make soils more resilient to drought or flooding. Biosolids or manure additions rapidly release nutrients and can enhance plant growth in the short-term. Biochar additions, while low in nutrients, offer a stable source of soil carbon and can increase water and nutrient holding capacity. Sawdust or wood chips is another option for amending forest sites, but it is often surface applied and can decompose quickly. Organic amendments are more effective at increasing understory plant production rather than tree seedling or older tree growth, but the alteration of water holding capacity may reduce the risk of insect or disease attack.

Why nurseries are successful and why nurseries fail

The need for ecosystem restoration continues to increase, and worldwide, many ambitious initiatives, ranging in scope from local to global, are in place to contribute in response to this need. Reaching these restoration goals will require implementing a broad palette of techniques, spanning from passive to active restoration. Actively outplanting seedlings can be an important aspect of restoration, especially on the more disturbed sites. Ensuring that nurseries produce the highest-quality plant materials and that those plants become established in the field is a paramount concern. Unfortunately, all too often nurseries fail in their ability to deliver quality plants in a timely manner. The reasons for failure are numerous, but successful nurseries often share common traits, including a passion for growing plants, an understanding of the nursery’s role in the local community, an eagerness to communicate with the public as well as clients, and a management philosophy that encourages and nurtures a learning environment toward increasing plant production expertise. In particular, successful nurseries engage with their clients using the tenets of the Target Plant Concept, especially the realized need for client‒nursery sharing of expectations and results that are continually reassessed and modified based on field results. Working together, clients and nurseries are most successful when biological and societal needs are assessed and satisfied.

The critical importance of nurseries for meeting ecosystem restoration goals

Global leaders, through the Bonn Challenge, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and other programs, have pledged to restore millions of hectares in the near future. To achieve these unprecedented and ambitious goals, millions of established plants are required. Natural regeneration and direct seeding may partially achieve that need, but have limited efficacy in areas with environmental stresses, animal damage, and seed scarcity. Thus, high-quality, nursery-grown seedlings can be critical for providing plant material needed to create healthy, functional, and resilient ecosystems. Well-managed plant nurseries also serve as a hub of local plant expertise, help ensure genetically appropriate plants are used for specific outplanting sites and support sustainable livelihoods in rural communities. In spite of their integral role, however, nurseries often receive inadequate training, resources, or long-term support. Production of insufficient plant quantities or poor-quality plants have considerable economic and environmental consequences and will result in unsuccessful planting programs. To succeed, nurseries need integrated and sustained support from a range of actively engaged stakeholders including communities, policymakers, and land managers to insure they are a priority investment to restore thriving landscapes worldwide.

Direct seeding for ecological restoration in Brazil – roadmap process and the Strategic Action Plan

The direct seeding technique is an option for restoration projects that is significantly cheaper, more efficient, and reaches higher impact compared to planting seedlings, contributing to large scale restoration. Yet its adoption in Brazil is still small, due mainly to the lack of knowledge of the technique itself among researchers and practitioners. Other barriers that can discourage or prevent direct seeding adoption are the supply of seeds, diversity of implementation activities for different vegetation and physical conditions, and regulatory barriers, among others. In this context, the Seed Pathway Initiative was developed to leverage direct seeding adoption in Brazil, enabling conditions for its large-scale use through a multi-stakeholder roadmap that resulted in an Action Plan to increasing direct seeding in restoration projects. Government, researchers, NGOs, service providers, seed networks, and other relevant stakeholders contributed for a diagnostic, analysis and prioritized actions, also considering regional particularities. The Action Plan contains strategies and actions designed for each focal region of the initiative (São Paulo and Mato Grosso states), as well as those of national scope and for other specific regions, important in the country’s environmental context. The Action Plan covers a 5-year horizon, setting out the strategy for the entire country with lessons for other countries and considering the activities with the greatest impact on the technique adoption. Some of the actions are technical demonstration units for capacity purposes, outreach activities (publications of booklets and projects database), professionalization of seed networks, changes of specific regulations, and establishment of public-private partnerships.

Native woodland restoration to counteract carbon land emission in Iceland

Restoration has become one of the key measures to mitigate climate change. With increasing emphases not only on carbon sequestration but also carbon emission from degraded land, calls for better strategies and prioritisation are critical. Iceland with its volcanic soil (Andosol) is an example of large-scale ecosystems conversion following settlement in the 9th century that resulted in approximately 50% of the island now classified as having considerable to severe erosion. To date attempts have been made to revegetate and restore ecosystems on this badly degraded land. However, improved understanding of the degradation processes highlights the need to focus restoration activities on degraded lands that are potential carbon sources, but which have not yet crossed a threshold leading to severe soil erosion. Downy birch (Betula pubescens) is the only native woodland forming species in Iceland, and its distribution has declined from estimated 20-30% of the country at settlement to 1.5% at present. Recent examples show a rapid spread of birch where conditions are favourable, even into nutrient-poor barren landscapes. Thus, it is imperative to identify areas in which minimum interventions may initiate this process. The aim of this study is to utilise existing data with known geographic locations on birch distribution and land classes to analyse the potential for birch woodland restoration with minimum interventions. We will use Iceland as an example of how prioritisation and natural regeneration together with limited input can simultaneously combine the three UN conventions on climate change (UNFCCC), biological diversity (CBD) and desertification (UNCCD).

Students & Emerging Professionals

SER has launched a new membership category for Students and Emerging Professionals (SEP). SER recognizes that this group of individuals is vital to promoting the science and practice of ecological restoration, connecting newcomers with established leaders in the field, and integrating new ideas with accepted restoration practices. SER hopes that membership in the SEP category will foster communication and collaboration among individuals within the organization and provide the tools and knowledge needed for students to successfully enter careers in Ecological Restoration. SER has developed an SEP committee to promote these efforts. During this webinar, SER board members and staff will discuss resources available to SER SEP members including virtual discussion boards, the job board, and the Restoration Resource Center as well as ways by which interested SER members can become involved with the SEP committee.

Demystifying the CERP Application Process

Join SER’s Certification Program Coordinator Jen Lyndall to learn about the CERP program application process including the top 5 most frequently asked questions by applicants.

Connecting Science & People

Community members are often instrumental to the success (or the delay) of science-based projects yet are sometimes considered late in the project timeline. Dive into the complexities of communications planning, “public” awareness, and collaboration with partners with Samara Group, an Oregon-based consulting firm that specializes in complex science-based communications and community engagement.

Supplemental references can be found here: https://www.samarapdx.com/blog/2018/11/13/connecting-science-and-people

The Society for Ecological Restoration Northwest Chapter 2019 Graduate Student Colloquia: Day 1

Assessing the effects of meadow restoration on Sierra Nevada amphibians using eDNA (Nicolette Nelson)

Managers in the Sierra Nevada are increasingly restoring degraded wet meadows in order to recover essential ecosystem services (e.g. water storage and carbon sequestration) and to benefit native wildlife. These projects may increase available habitat for federally-listed amphibians, but some projects have unintentionally prompted the spread of invasive species that negatively impact native amphibians through predation, competition, and disease. Rare amphibians, early-stage invasive colonizers, and pathogens are difficult to observe using traditional survey methods, so we used environmental DNA (eDNA) to determine the net impacts of wet meadow restoration on sensitive amphibians. Our results suggest that wet meadow restoration in the Sierra Nevada has not directly benefited sensitive amphibians.

Use of Museum Material to Reconstruct the Extirpated Fauna of the Los Angeles River (Rachel Turba de Paula)

After extirpation of species in their natural habitat, museum samples are usually the only potential source of DNA. For restoration plans to be successful, we need to clearly understand what has been lost. Museum material stored at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will be used to investigate extirpated populations of unarmored threespine stickleback, a species of freshwater unionid clam, as well as an extinct and endemic species of shrimp. In this chapter, we will investigate the success of different protocols on extractions of formalin-fixed material, dried tissues and shells, which can secondarily be extended to a hybridization capture approach for genome sequencing. Results will be used to answer questions about relationships between extant and extirpated populations and should clarify options for appropriate restoration of the Los Angeles Basin.