Abstracts

Climate Change

Ecological Resilience of Restored Peatlands to Climate Change. 2022. Loisel, J. (Dept. of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, juloisel{at}hotmail.com) and A. Gallego-Sala. Communications Earth & Environment 3:208. doi:10.1038/s43247-022-00547-x

Global climate change, habitat loss and land use alteration have driven rapid loss of long-term carbon stores in peatlands, causing some peatland ecosystems to become net sources of atmospheric carbon. Peatlands have been the target of worldwide restoration efforts but climate resilience of restored peatlands remains poorly understood. Loisel and Gallego-Sala reviewed drivers of effective longterm carbon storage of undisturbed peatlands and also examined the response of degraded and restored peatlands to disturbance via case studies from boreal and temperate bogs. Carbon sequestration can be restored in degraded sites but biodiversity, hydrology and soil structure may not be restored, reducing resilience to future disturbance. Improving restoration of peatland ecosystems as well as increased efforts to preserve undegraded peatlands are essential to mitigating climate change.

Coastal and Marine Communities

A Quantitative Synthesis of Approaches, Biases, Successes, and Failures in Marine Forest Restoration, with Considerations for Future Work. 2022. Earp, H.S. (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK, hse3{at}aber.ac.uk), D.A. Smale, A. Pérez-Matus, A. Gouraguine, P.W. Shaw and P.J. Moore. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 1–15. doi:10.1002/aqc.3880

Marine forests host high biodiversity, have extremely high primary productivity and provision a variety of ecosystem services but stressors at multiple scales have contributed to recent declines in marine forests. Earp et al. present a meta-analysis of 25 studies assessing the effect of restoration on marine forest species abundance and morphology and a quantitative review of 63 studies examining trends and drivers of restoration success. Restoration positively impacted abundance and morphology of marine forest biodiversity as demonstrated by the meta-analysis. Restoration technique was a major driver of success, with approaches that combined multiple techniques experiencing the most success. Passive techniques had higher success rates than active techniques, despite active techniques being implemented more frequently. Transplantation was the most frequently employed individual technique across the studies in the quantitative review. Leading drivers of degradation were urbanization and climate variability. The authors also demonstrated that while many studies monitored biodiversity abundance and morphology, there remains a distinct lack of monitoring of environmental variables.

Antifouling Coatings Can Reduce Algal Growth While Preserving Coral Settlement. 2022. Roepke, L.K. (Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany, lisa.roepke{at}leibniz-zmt.de), D. Brefeld, U. Soltmann, C.J. Randall, A.P. Negri and A. Kunzmann. Scientific Reports 12:15935. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-19997-6

Global declines in coral health and abundance have necessitated the development of novel restoration techniques. Transplanting coral larvae to reefs is a commonly used strategy for large-scale reef restoration, and applying antifouling technologies to larva deployment devices can increase survival of transplants in vulnerable early months when they can easily be overgrown by algae. Roepke et al. compared the efficacy of three antifouling coatings in preventing algal growth on coral transplant plugs. The authors also assessed Acropora tenuis (purple-tipped acropora) settlement on treated substrates to determine whether antifouling coatings are a deterrent to recruitment. Dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT) reduced fouling by over 60%, compared to antiadhesive and cerium dioxide nanoparticle treatments both of which resulted in more fouling than DCOIT but less than untreated controls. Settlement of A. tenuis on untreated and treated substrates was not significantly different but settlement on nanoparticle-treated substrates was significantly higher than on DCOIT and antiadhesive treatments. This study demonstrates the efficacy of antifouling coatings as a means of reducing competition at vulnerable stages of reef restoration.

Ecological Design

Innovations in Coastline Management with Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF): Lessons Learned from Three Case Studies. 2022. Palinkas, C.M. (Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, cpalinkas{at}umces.edu), P. Orton, M.A. Hummel, W. Nardin, A.E. Sutton-Grier, L. Harris, M. Gray, M. Li, D. Ball, K. Burks-Copes, M. Davlasheridze, M. De Schipper, D.A. George, D. Halsing, C. Maglio, J. Marrone, S.K. McKay, H. Nutters, K. Orff, M. Taal, A.P.E. Van Oudenhoven, W. Veatch and T. Williams. Frontiers in Built Environment 8:814180. doi:10.3389/fbuil.2022.814180

As coastal communities continue to face degradation due to rising sea levels and over-development, there is an increased interest in natural and nature-based features (NNBF) instead of gray infrastructure such as levees and breakwaters. Since gray infrastructure has been in use for so long, there are standard design criteria and permitting processes to guide application but much remains unknown about long-term resilience of NNBF and these solutions are more complex to design and implement. This review evaluates three coastal restoration projects that implement NNBF and elucidates commonalities and key differences between the projects as well as identifying challenges. All three projects framed restorations as serving multiple benefits beyond simply mitigating flood risk by engaging stakeholders in the design process and incorporating innovative funding methods. Common challenges included long-term sustainability uncertainties and permitting and funding issues. Synthesizing current work on NNBF will enable future projects to build on existing successful strategies to ensure efficient use of limited funding and improve sustainability of future projects.

Grasslands

Homogenization of Bryophyte Species after Alpine Grassland Restoration. 2022. Zeidler, M. (Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic, miroslav.zeidler{at}upol.cz), J. Šipoš, M. Banaš and J. Černohorský. Journal of Environmental Management 319:115628. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115628

Though bryophytes are often ignored in ecological surveys, they can serve as environmental indicators in Artic and alpine communities, reflecting changes that also affect vascular plant communities. Zeidler et al. monitored bryophyte richness and community composition post clearcutting of non-native Pinus mugo (dwarf pine) in the Czech Republic s Eastern High Sudetes range. Taxonomic homogenization occurred after removal, driven by light and leaf litter conditions, hindering restoration of native plant communities. The authors recommend active management of clearcut areas to foster native biodiversity and contribute to restoration success.

Invasive and Pest Species

Synergistic Effects of Soil Nutrient Level and Native Species Identity and Diversity on Biotic Resistance to Sicyos angulatus, an Invasive Species. 2022. Byun, C. (Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Andong National University, Republic of Korea, chaehobyun{at}anu.ac.kr), Y. Jeong and S.H. Hong. Oecologia 200:221–230. doi:10.1007/s00442-022-05265-x

Sicyos angulatus (oneseed bur cucumber) is an invasive vine threatening riparian ecosystems in South Korea, Japan and parts of Europe. Control of S. angulatus is difficult due to its rapid growth and dispersal, high fecundity, and dormancy abilities. Byun et al. assessed biotic resistance to invasion by S. angulatus of six native species in unfertilized and fertilized soil. Native identity and soil nutrient condition had a significant effect on resistance with Pennisetun alopecuroides (fountain grass) and Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese bushclover) demonstrating high resistance in fertilized soil. Lactuca indica (Indian lettuce) and Lespedeza bicolor (shrubby bushclover) demonstrated high resistance in unfertilized soil. Mixed arrays of natives and monocultures displayed similar invasion resistance in unfertilized soil but mixed arrays showed higher resistance in fertilized soil. Soil nutrient condition had no significant effect on invasion when no native plants were present. Restoration of native plant communities can protect habitats from re-invasion and this study demonstrates that nutrient availability plays a significant role in biotic resistance.

The Impact of Restoration Methods for Solidago-Invaded Land on Soil Invertebrates. 2022. Perera, P.C.D. (Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland, chathura.perera{at}upwr.edu.pl), I. Gruss, J. Twardowski, C. Chmielowiec, M. Szymura and T.H. Szymura. Scientific Reports 12:16634. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-20812-5

Plant invasions can alter soil ecosystems not only by changing abiotic and structural components but also by impacting soil invertebrate communities. Post-invasion restoration typically focuses on aboveground ecosystems and may involve techniques that negatively affect soil invertebrate abundance and diversity. Perera et al. assessed the effects of seed mixture and mowing frequency after Solidago sp. (golden rod) removal on soil invertebrate community composition and abundance in suburban meadows in Wrocław, Poland. Mowing once per year and introducing seed mixes of grasses and legumes yielded the best outcomes for invertebrate community composition and abundance. Investigating the impact of restoration technique on below-ground communities is essential to ensuring restoration of complete communities.

Lakes, Rivers and Streams

Fish Carcass Deposition to Suppress Invasive Lake Trout Through Hypoxia Causes Limited, Non-Target Effects on Benthic Invertebrates in Yellowstone Lake. 2022. Briggs, M.A. (Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, michelle.briggs1{at}montana.edu), L.K. Albertson, D.R. Lujan, L.M. Tronstad, H.C. Glassic, C.S. Guy and T.M. Koel. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries 1–14. doi:10.1002/aff2.72

Salvelinus namaycush (lake trout) is a predatory fish that has been introduced to over 200 freshwater bodies in the western U.S. and has been the subject of many management programs. Native Oncorhynchus clarkia bouvieri (Yellowstone cutthroat trout) are being consumed by S. namaycush in Wyoming’s Yellowstone Lake, reducing their availability as prey for bear and osprey. The National Park Service removes S. namaycush and deposits carcasses at spawning sites to deter egg deposition and suppress embryo development, a management practice that alters water chemistry and increases nutrient availability, potentially altering food webs. Briggs et al. examined the effects of carcass treatment on benthic invertebrates at four sites in Yellowstone Lake. Density and biomass of invertebrates was unaffected but carcass presence did alter community structure. The authors conclude that while carcass treatment did slightly alter the benthic invertebrate community, the localized nature of this management practice makes it unlikely to affect food webs at larger scales.

Stream Restoration and Ecosystem Functioning in Lowland Streams. 2022. Baattrup-Pedersen, A. (Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus, Denmark, abp{at}ecos.au.dk), A. Baisner Alnoe, J.J. Rasmussen, P.S. Levi, N. Friberg and T. Riis. Ecological Engineering 184:106782. doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106782

Water pollution, habitat degradation, climate change and hydrological modification are major stressors of stream ecosystems, driving biodiversity loss at landscape and local scales. Restoration efforts have been supported by the European Water Framework Directive over the last decade but few studies have documented ecosystem function outcomes. Baattrup-Pedersen et al. compared decomposition, gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) in channelized, restored and natural lowland agricultural streams in Denmark’s West Jutland region. GPP, ER and decomposition did not differ among sites, but GPP increased with increasing plant cover and ER increased with stream size and coarse substratum coverage. Plant species richness increased decomposition only slightly, while increasing nutrient concentration decreased decomposition. Although restoration can improve stream ecosystem function, outcomes are highly context-dependent, making individual monitoring a necessity for assessing restoration success.

Monitoring and Adaptive Management

Two Decades of Monitoring Earthworms in Translocated Grasslands at Manchester Airport. 2022. Butt, K.R. (University of Central Lancashire, Natural Sciences, Preston, UK, krbutt{at}uclan.ac.uk), J.A. Gilbert, J. Kosteck, C.N. Lowe, S.M. Quigg and P. Euteneuer. European Journal of Soil Biology 113:103443. doi:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2022.103443

Construction of a new runway at Manchester Airport in northwest England in the 1990s necessitated an ecological mitigation program. This program relied on translocation of grasslands and their associated flora and fauna, particularly earthworms, which serve as food for vertebrate species of conservation concern. The authors monitored earthworm communities in four translocated grassland areas between 1990 and 2019, finding that richness and abundance were impacted by translocation method and site topography. The 3-m artificially created hummocks were associated with the best establishment of grassland soil. Aporrectodea caliginosa was the dominant species but Lumbricus terrestris failed to establish and abiotic factors such as moisture content and pH affected abundance and community composition in any given year. Studies such as this indicate the need for long term monitoring to establish meaningful trends in restoration progress.

Other Communities

Community Assembly of Plant, Soil Bacteria, and Fungi Vary During the Restoration of an Ecosystem Threatened by Desertification. 2022. Gong, X., S. Jarvie, Q. Zhang (Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resource Use of the Mongolian Plateau, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China, qzhang82{at}163.com), Q. Liu, Y. Yan, N. Su, P. Han and F. Li. Journal of Soils and Sediments. doi:10.1007/s11368-022-03329-2

Desertification threatens many arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In China, over 1.7 million acres have undergone desertification, prompting increased restoration efforts. Aerial seeding to restore plant communities is a commonly-used technique but few studies have assessed its effects on community assembly. The authors examined community composition, assembly, and β-diversity of vegetation, soil bacteria and fungi over a 34-year period in the Mu-Us sandyland communities of Inner Mongolia, China. Aerial seeding increased plant biomass as well as beneficial soil microbe abundance, and plant community β-diversity increased with restoration age. Both deterministic and stochastic processes drove community assembly at different restoration stages. Aerial seeding can be an effective tool for combatting desertification in arid and semi-arid systems.

Planning and Policy

Forest Landscape Restoration Legislation and Policy: A Canadian Perspective. 2022. Mansuy, N. (Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, nicolas. mansuy{at}canada.ca), H. Hwang, R. Gupta, C. Mooney, B. Kishchuk and E. Higgs. Land 11:1747. doi:10.3390/land11101747

Canada was the first country to develop a national restoration policy framework, but as the pace of environmental degradation has accelerated, examining existing policies is necessary to ensure they are still meeting objectives. Since Canada’s forests comprise 9% of the world’s total forest area, they serve as a global-scale carbon sink. Mansuy et al. assessed current policies and laws regarding Canadian forest restoration via review of published research and national databases. Published studies of restoration policy are lacking, but Canada has developed over 200 sciencebased policy initiatives and best practices centering around sustainable forest management, mining and oil extraction, parks and protected areas, environmental impact assessment and species conservation. Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and emission reduction are recent policy additions. The authors suggest that Canada could implement more proactive and targeted approaches to restoration, conservation of ecosystem services and protection of Indigenous rights.

Propagation and Introduction

Evaluating the Suitability of Neotropical Trees and Shrubs for Soil and Water Bioengineering: Survival and Growth of Cuttings from Ten Caribbean Species. 2022. Mira, E. (Université des Antilles, UFR SEN, Département de Biologie, Pointe-à-Pitre, France, elemira1{at}hotmail.com), A. Rousteau, R. Tournebize, M. Robert and A. Evette. Ecological Engineering 185:106808. doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106808

Nature-based solutions (NBS) promote approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation that are ecological rather than infrastructure-based. Soil and water bioengineering (SWBE) is an NBS primarily used to manage riverbank erosion and improve stability using plants as structural components. SWBE also initiates succession, promotes native establishment and inhibits invasion. Cuttings represent an efficient means for producing large amounts of plants needed for SWBE. Mira et al. assessed survival, biomass production and root growth of ten native tree and shrub species for use in riparian restoration in Caribbean islands. All ten species were appropriate for SWBE but different species differed in the specific techniques for which they were best suited. Eight species were compatible with a broad range of bioengineering techniques. Selecting appropriate species is essential for SWBE success.

Species at Risk

Endangered Animals and Plants are Positively or Neutrally Related to Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Soil Disturbance in Urban Grasslands. 2022. Cabon, V. (Université de Rennes 1, CNRS-ECOBIO, Rennes, France, valentin.cabon{at}univ-rennes1.fr), M. Bùi, H. Kühne, B. Seitz, I. Kowarik, M. von der Lippe and S. Buchholz. Scientific Reports 12:16649. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-20964-4

Sus scrofa (wild boar) is becoming established around European cities but most research on this species focuses on negative impacts in its introduced ranges. S. scrofa are native to Europe and are regarded as ecosystem engineers for their soil disturbance behaviors that improve aeration, create open habitats and maintain niches for less-competitive species. They are also considered pests due to potential economic damage, rendering them management challenging. Cabon et al. assessed plant and grasshopper richness and Lacerta agilis (sand lizard) abundance in 22 boar-inhabited grasslands in an urban research area on the outskirts of Berlin, Germany. Increased rooting intensity decreased plant diversity for most plants except endangered and specialist species. Grasshopper diversity and richness, including endangered and specialist grasshopper species, and L. agilis abundance were positively impacted by rooting. The positive impacts of S. scrofa for increasing necessary disturbed habitats in grasslands must be considered in management decisions affecting this species.

Technology and Tools

Using Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles to Map and Monitor Changes in Emergent Kelp Canopy After an Ecological Regime Shift. 2023. Saccomanno, V.R. (The Nature Conservancy, Sacramento, CA, v.r.saccomanno{at}tnc.org), T. Bell, C. Pawlak, C.K. Stanley, K.C. Cavanaugh, R. Hohman, K.R. Klausmeyer, K. Cavanaugh, A. Nickels, W. Hewerdine, C. Garza, G. Fleener and M. Gleason. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation. doi:10.1002/rse2.295

Kelp forests provide nearly 700 billion dollars per year in fisheries provisioning, nutrient cycling and carbon removal as well as being important nursery and foraging habitat for many associated species. Over recent decades, stressors such as heatwaves, predator declines and sea star wasting disease have driven declines in kelp abundance in northern coastal California. Remote sensing via unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) is a useful technique for documenting kelp canopy cover and identifying priority restoration areas. Saccomanno et al. summarized UAV remote sensing methods used to survey over 4,000 ha of kelp forest. They created resources practitioners can use to examine kelp canopy dynamics and select the best data streams for assessing restoration at various spatial scales. Remote sensing data is an invaluable tool for targeted management of kelp ecosystems.

Urban Restoration

Plant–Frugivore Networks are Robust to Species Loss Even in Highly Built-Up Urban Ecosystems. 2022. Mubamba, S., N. Nduna, S. Siachoono, M. Chibesa, D. Phiri and L. Chama (Department of Zoology, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia, lackson.chama{at}cbu.ac.zm). Oecologia 199:637–648. doi:10.1007/s00442-022-05213-9

Urbanization is a global threat to biodiversity with only 20% of urban areas housing vegetation. While studies indicate that seed dispersal mutualisms are usually robust due to generalization few have examined this interaction in an urban context. Mubamba et al. assessed specialization, evenness and diversity as drivers of resilience in avian seed dispersal networks in Kitwe, Zambia’s second largest city. Specialization was both low and similar across sites while evenness and diversity were high and also similar across sites. Studies such as this highlight opportunities for urban conservation and offer hope that urban areas can in fact support biodiversity through careful management to promote ecological interactions.

Botanical Gardens Are Local Hotspots for Urban Butterflies in Arid Environments. 2022. Prudic, K.L. (School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, klprudic{at}arizona.edu), T.M.P. Cruz, J.I.B. Winzer, J.C. Oliver, N.A. Melkonoff, H. Verbais and A. Hogan. Insects 13:865. doi:10.3390/insects13100865

Botanical gardens provide multiple benefits, both for housing floral biodiversity as well as for education, research and mental health support. However, little is understood about the role of botanical gardens as potentially important resources for supporting declining insect pollinator populations in urban areas. Prudic et al. used data from the community science projects eButtterfly and iNaturalist to compare butterfly richness and diversity in five southwestern U.S. urban botanical gardens with richness and diversity in the surrounding metro areas. Richness and diversity were overrepresented in botanical gardens indicating their importance in pollinator conservation in urban landscapes.

Wetlands

Wetland Restoration through Excavation: Sediment Removal Results in Dramatic Water Quality Improvement. 2022. Hassett, M.C. and A.D. Steinman (Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, Muskegon, MI, steinmaa{at}gvsu.edu). Land 11:1159. doi:10.3390/land11091559

Eutrophication and habitat loss are major stressors in the Great Lakes resulting in 65% of the shoreline being considered hardened with wood pilings, metal and concrete as well as biological stressors such as algal blooms and wildlife community degradation. Sediment dredging has long been employed as a restoration tool, yielding mixed results. This study assessed sediment excavation as a technique for improving water quality in two wetland ponds with past agricultural use and current phosphorous problems. Sediment removal improved water quality and reduced total phosphorous concentration and specific conductivity in both ponds. Phosphorous concentration also declined somewhat in a downstream waterbody. Unfortunately, sediment dredging, while effective for these specific parameters is expensive and may negatively impact biodiversity currently in situ.

Wildlife Habitat Restoration

Restored and Natural Wetland Small Mammal Communities in West Virginia, USA. 2022. Noe, K.L (West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, kn0054{at}mix.wvu.edu), C.T. Rota, M.W. Frantz and J.T. Anderson. Land 11:482. doi:10.3390/land11091482

The responses of terrestrial small mammals such as rodents are often overlooked in wetland restoration plans but small mammals play essential roles in wetland ecosystems. Small mammals participate in wetland seed dispersal and food web linkages as well as serving as bioindicators of restoration success due to their sensitivity to environmental change. Noe et al. compared mass, occupancy probability, and community composition of small mammals in 26 restored and reference wetland sites in West Virginia. Though community metrics did not significantly differ between wetland types, the rarest species were present only in reference sites. While restored wetlands may provide sufficient habitat for most small mammal species, pristine wetlands still provide better habitat for rare species.

Woodlands

Native Ectomycorrhizal Fungi from the Endangered Pine Rocklands are Superior Symbionts to Commercial Inoculum for Slash Pine Seedlings. 2022. Karlsen-Ayala, E. (Department of Plant Pathology, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL, elenakarlsenayala{at}ufl.edu), M.E. Smith, B.C. Askey and R. Gazis. Mycorrhiza 32:465–480. doi:10.1007/s00572-022-01092-3

South Florida’s pine rocklands are critically endangered endemic ecosystems with less than 2% remaining of the original forest. Pinus densa (slash pine) comprises the canopy and is considered a foundational species, providing fuel for fires that are necessary for maintaining community structure and preventing succession. P. densa recruitment in rocklands is low, necessitating planting as a restoration and conservation measure. Ectomycorrhizal symbionts are essential for establishment of seedlings, but few studies have addressed why they are so critical to success. Karlsen-Ayala et al. examined growth metrics for nursery-raised seedlings grown with field soil from rockland remnants and five commercial mycorrhizal inocula. Field soil improved performance across all growth metrics except root length. The authors also assayed commercial inocula, finding that two contained no fungi at all, and three contained only three fungal species despite claims of containing four to ten ectomycorrhizal species, whereas field soil contained up to ten species. This study highlights not only the critical role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in P. densa establishment but the importance of using native soil in restoration efforts.

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Muskrat. Source: S. G. Goodrich, S.G. 1885. The Animal Kingdom Illustrated. Pg. 433 (New York,NY: A. J. Johnson & Co.), The Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida, fcit.usf.edu.