Article
Ecology
Matthew P. Hammond, Jurek Kolasa, Phil Fung
Summary: For thousands of years, humans have been modifying natural ecosystems to meet their various needs. With advances in technology and global movement of species, the focus has shifted to designing and creating new ecosystems in different settings. These intentional ecosystems, known as synthetic ecosystems, are human-designed, assembled, and controlled with novel components and interactions, resulting in systems that are distinctly different from their predecessors. Synthetic ecosystems have the potential to advance socioecological goals in various ways, such as replacing deadzones with living systems, enhancing existing ecosystem processes, creating new ecosystem functions, establishing new ecosystem controls, fostering knowledge synthesis, and reshaping human-nature relationships. However, future work needs to evaluate the appropriateness of building synthetic ecosystems, determine the most functional architectures and diversity aspects, and integrate knowledge from different cultures and eras to maximize their potential impact.
Article
Ecology
Will Glenny, Justin B. Runyon, Laura A. Burkle
Summary: Individual plant species are valuable for pollinator restoration, but the selection process is often lacking empirical evidence and relies on agroecosystems instead of seminatural ecosystems. To address this, it is important to prioritize native plants that are attractive to pollinators and provide consistent floral resources. Managers can also use a composite score to select plant species that meet restoration goals. Developing restoration strategies for pollinators in seminatural lands is crucial for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem function.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Laura V. Cano-Arboleda, Juan Camilo Villegas, Aura Cristina Restrepo, Estela Quintero-Vallejo
Summary: Vegetation impacts local water balance through its effects on precipitation, radiation balance, and soil hydrological properties, with plant functional traits playing a key role in determining hydrological function. Species selection in forest restoration is crucial for ecological recovery, and the association between plant traits and ecohydrological function is significant, highlighting the importance of considering diversity in ecosystem management and restoration efforts.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Business
Ying Wang, Hongwei Zhang, Chen Zhang, Cong Liu
Summary: The study revealed variations in EPRFE levels among cities in Hubei Province, with certain cities achieving higher levels. Overall, EPRFE projects had a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions, but the coordination degree needs further improvement.
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Dunlop, William Glamore, Stefan Felder
Summary: Traditional solutions to estuarine flood risk management involve static shoreline protection structures, but Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are being considered as alternative measures. However, current NbS guidelines lack technical content bridging ecological and engineering values, focusing more on project implementation and investor frameworks. This study proposes a conceptual approach for integrating ecological and engineering aspects in estuarine ecosystems to establish NbS as self-sustaining ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jason Alexandra
Summary: Accepting the intertwining relationship between nature and culture has significant implications for social and environmental policies. This paper explores the use of ecological design as a framework for planning and problem-solving, concluding that design-based approaches can integrate conservation and production in agricultural landscapes, while maintaining biodiversity under climate change.
Article
Water Resources
Souporni Paul, Suchandra Bardhan
Summary: Urban wetlands and waterways are crucial for a city's defense, transportation, water supply, environment, and culture. However, they often deteriorate in countries with high population, limited funds, and inadequate infrastructure. This paper analyzes the issues faced by the wetlands and waterways in Kolkata, India, and presents a framework for their restoration and management.
URBAN WATER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wilmer E. Pozo-Rivera, Carlos Quiloango-Chimarro, Xavier Paredes, Mario Landivar, Carlos Chiriboga, Daniel Hidalgo, Karina Garcia, Jaime Villacis
Summary: This study evaluated the diversity of dung beetles in remediated soil ecosystems and non-contaminated soils in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The results showed lower beetle diversity in the remediated soil ecosystems, highlighting the importance of natural forests for the conservation of tropical biodiversity. Dung beetle diversity could be used for future landscape management of these hydrocarbon-degraded ecosystems.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Jinqing Yang, Wei Lu, Jiming Hu, Shengzhi Huang
Summary: This paper introduces the perspective of knowledge ecology to the detection of emerging topics using author-keywords to represent research topics. By mapping keywords to the knowledge ecosystem, an emerging topics detection method based on ecological niches (ETDEN) is constructed. Experimental results show that ETDEN performs significantly better on the emergence time point and the growth rate of pre-and postemergence.
INFORMATION PROCESSING & MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuchao Liu, Quanqin Shao, Jia Ning, Linan Niu, Xiongyi Zhang, Guobo Liu, Haibo Huang
Summary: This paper analyzes the restoration status and potential of ecosystems in the Upper Yellow River region, and quantitatively determines the contribution rates of climate factors and human activities to ecosystem changes. The results show that the ecosystem quality and services in the region have generally remained stable or improved, with significant changes in forest and grassland ecosystems. This study provides scientific support for ecological projects in the Upper Yellow River region.
Review
Ecology
Jimmy Morales-Marquez, Fernando Meloni
Summary: This study discusses the importance and application of soil fauna in the ecological restoration of dryland ecosystems, and provides some relevant recommendations. The study emphasizes the impact of soil fauna on soil processes and their roles in promoting early regeneration and controlling pests. In addition, the study calls for further research, especially regarding the effects of specific soil groups on dryland ecological restoration.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Minghua Shen, Xueqin Liu
Summary: The alteration of lateral hydrological connectivity (LHC) has been identified as a major factor contributing to the decline in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in river-floodplain ecosystems. However, the effects of LHC alteration on aquatic ecosystems have not been thoroughly studied or synthesized. Research on LHC alteration is disproportionately conducted in Europe and America, focusing on the biodiversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates and fish.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jake M. Robinson, Peter A. Harrison, Suzanne Mavoa, Martin F. Breed
Summary: Without effective human intervention, anthropogenic degradation will impact up to 95% of the world's ecosystems by 2050. Therefore, large-scale ecological restoration is crucial to combat biodiversity loss and ecosystem decline. Drones have the potential to be valuable tools in restoration science and practice, but their utilization in this field is currently limited. This article discusses the existing and emerging uses of drones in restoration and provides a roadmap for increasing their utilization to improve restoration objectives.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Biology
Stephen Elliott, Nigel I. J. Tucker, Dia Panitnard Shannon, Pimonrat Tiansawat
Summary: This article discusses the framework species method (FSM) for tropical forest restoration, its origins, adoption in different countries, and the need for clearer definitions. It compares FSM with other restoration methods in terms of effectiveness and cost, and examines the obstacles to its wider adoption.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher J. Brown, Chantal Saint Ange, Rod M. Connolly, Syezlin Hasan, Sue Jackson, Joseph M. McMahon, James C. R. Smart
Summary: There is a need for long-term monitoring of interconnected ecosystems to inform management strategies and track changes in ecosystem services. This study tested the performance of indicators of ecosystem services and found that they can assess historical performance over decadal timespans but may not be suitable for short-term monitoring.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
