Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher S. Jones, David H. Duncan, Libby Rumpff, Doug Robinson, Peter A. Vesk
Summary: Livestock grazing in riparian areas has both positive and negative effects on vegetation. While reserving riparian areas can benefit native vegetation, livestock grazing can reduce exotic vegetation cover at the cost of native vegetation and ground condition. Quantitative monitoring and evaluation of cost-benefit trade-offs are essential for guiding reservation decisions.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Andrew W. Tranmer, Rohan Benjankar, Dmitri Vidergar, Daniele Tonina
Summary: Native riparian forests play a crucial role in supporting the ecosystem function for many species, but their regeneration is being hindered by human activities and climate change. To address this issue, a spatially-distributed riparian forest recruitment model was developed to identify the limiting factors and guide management and restoration efforts. The model showed that disturbance mechanism and hydrologic conditions influenced the success of native forest recruitment.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Temuulen Ts Sankey, Jackson Leonard, Margaret M. Moore, Joel B. Sankey, Adam Belmonte
Summary: Woody encroachment, a globally observed phenomenon, deteriorates rangeland health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Control treatments can reduce woody cover and restore ecohydrologic function. Long-term research on a herbicide treatment shows lasting impacts on woody cover, aboveground carbon accumulation, water yield, and sedimentation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Qi Liu, Heng Dai, Dongwei Gui, Bill X. Hu, Ming Ye, Guanghui Wei, Jingxiu Qin, Jin Zhang
Summary: This study used wavelet analysis to evaluate the effects of flow regimes of ecological water transport projects (EWTP) on ecohydrological system dynamics. The results showed that the restoration flow exhibited seasonal periodicities different from natural streams, leading to distinct groundwater dynamics and mismatched growth rhythm of riparian vegetation. Two designed flow schemes based on time lags between flow and vegetation growth were proposed to optimize the EWTP and improve ecosystem restoration efficiency. The NARX network was used for ecological restoration prediction, showing a significant increase in restoration flow compared to the original flow. The methodologies used in this study are rigorous and applicable to other EWTPs.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Emily C. Palmquist, Gerard J. Allan, Kiona Ogle, Thomas G. Whitham, Bradley J. Butterfield, Patrick B. Shafroth
Summary: The riparian habitats in the southwestern United States have experienced substantial degradation and restoration efforts have been made to address genetic diversity and structure in four riparian species. Factors such as river connectivity, mating systems, and water flow regulation have been found to influence genetic diversity and structure differently across species, highlighting the importance of considering riverine complexity and life history traits in restoration management.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Paulo Augusto Vianna Barroso, Lucia Vieira Hoffmann, Nataly Duarte Lopes da Costa
Summary: The native Brazilian cotton Gossypium mustelinum, tetraploid and previously only known to grow in semi-arid areas of Northeast Brazil, has been found in preservation areas on the coast of Northeast Brazil in recent expeditions. New climatic modeling suggests that new populations may still be found in the Pernambuco semi-arid area, despite the lack of herbarium and germplasm bank information. Historically, preserved populations have been located in regions where sympatry has not occurred in the last 47 years, indicating that gene flow is unlikely to be a threat.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Wenjie Xiao, Yan Yang, Xiuyang Jiang, Zhili He, Xiaogang Zou, Xianhui You, Yunyue Yang, Zhuzhou Zeng, Wei-Yu Shi
Summary: The study found that different vegetation restoration schemes and treatment measures should be implemented between the dip and anti-dip slopes in the rocky desertification areas of Ganxi Town. The protection of soil and water resources, especially soil, is crucial for ecological restoration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marjorie Pereira, Joe Greet, Christopher S. Jones
Summary: The study showed that the soil seedbanks of in-channel geomorphic features were dominated by flood tolerant and native taxa, while floodplains were generally associated with flood intolerant and exotic taxa. The dominance of native flood tolerant taxa in the soil seedbanks of in-channel features suggests these seedbanks can play an important role in the resilience of native riparian plant communities. Given these conditions, environmental flows are likely to have a positive impact on maintaining native riparian plant communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Kyndall C. Dye-Braumuller, Hanna Waltz, Mary K. Lynn, Stephen A. Klotz, Justin O. Schmidt, Alvaro Romero, Marvin Stanley Rodriguez Aquino, Jose Ricardo Palacios Valladares, Pamela Michelle Cornejo Rivas, Melissa S. Nolan
Summary: This study identified ectoparasitic mites on triatomines collected from multiple locations in the southwestern United States. The presence of mites did not have a significant impact on the T. cruzi infection status of the triatomines. Further research is needed to understand the biological impact of triatomine mites and their potential role as a biological control tool.
Article
Fisheries
L. Pollitt, K. Korbel, J. Dabovic, A. Chariton, G. C. Hose
Summary: This paper investigates the possibility of using tree DNA detected in groundwater as an indicator of tree's use of groundwater, which could be valuable for managing groundwater-dependent ecosystems. The authors discuss the sources and fate of tree DNA in groundwater and the knowledge needed for further development of tree DNA as a robust indicator. If successful, this indicator would help managers understand water requirements of groundwater-dependent vegetation better, meet legislative obligations, and improve conservation and management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Walter K. Dodds, Zak Ratajczak, Rachel M. Keen, Jesse B. Nippert, Bartosz Grudzinski, Allison Veach, Jeffery H. Taylor, Amanda Kuhl
Summary: Riparian zones and the streams they border are essential for organisms, water quality, and ecosystem services. Woody vegetation expansion in grassland riparian zones can cause negative impacts on streamflow and plant species diversity. Mechanical removal of woody riparian vegetation can lead to transient increases in stream nutrients and sediments, and prevent the shift back to a grassland state.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Laila Fayyaz, Alan Tenscher, Andy Viet Nguyen, Huma Qazi, M. Andrew Walker
Summary: This study conducted an extensive screening of Vitis species from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico for resistance to powdery mildew, identifying new sources of resistance. It was found that Western species were more susceptible to powdery mildew compared to Midwestern and Eastern species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Filip Alimpic, Jelena Milovanovic, Remigiusz Pielech, Georgi Hinkov, Roland Jansson, Simon Dufour, Marcin Beza, Nebi Bilir, Luis Santos del Blanco, Gregor Bozic, Daniel Bruno, Pier Mario Chiarabaglio, Neli Doncheva, Yasar Selman Gultekin, Mladen Ivankovic, Mary Kelly-Quinn, Nicola La Porta, Marina Nonic, Eduardo Notivol, Eva Papastergiadou, Mirjana Sijacic-Nikolic, Lorenzo Vietto, Marc Villar, Petar Zhelev, Patricia Maria Rodriguez-Gonzalez
Summary: This study investigated the opinions of experts on the current status and conservation needs of genetic diversity of riparian tree species in Europe. The experts recognized that a combination of in situ and ex situ measures is the most appropriate option for conserving the genetic diversity of riparian tree species.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Leroy J. Walston, Yudi Li, Heidi M. Hartmann, Jordan Macknick, Aaron Hanson, Chris Nootenboom, Eric Lonsdorf, Jessica Hellmann
Summary: This study examined the impact of native grassland habitat restoration beneath ground-mounted solar energy facilities on four ecosystem services in 30 solar facilities across the Midwest United States. The results showed that native grassland habitat significantly increased pollinator supply, carbon storage, sediment retention, and water retention, demonstrating the potential benefits of adopting native grassland management practices in agriculture-dominated landscapes.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
David M. Hart
Summary: This Perspective discusses the potential impact of recent legislation in the United States on domestic and global energy and climate innovation systems, using systems concepts by Arnulf Grubler. It also highlights risks and gaps that could lead to unfavorable outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)