Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shanshan Chen, Songlin Zhang, Shengjun Wu
Summary: The implementation of long-term ecological restoration projects and policies has played a crucial role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 15. New forests in China mainly come from previously cultivated land due to the Grain for Green Project. These new forests are mainly distributed in mid-low altitude areas and gentle slope regions. Over approximately two decades, the gross primary productivity (GPP) of new forests has significantly increased trends, with varying growth rates in different climatic zones. The GPP and growth rates also show spatial heterogeneity, with the highest GPP in the eastern region and the highest growth rate in the southwest region.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Kai Zhu, Yiguo Ran, Maohua Ma, Wenjuan Li, Yaseen Mir, Jiaojiao Ran, Shengjun Wu, Ping Huang
Summary: This study examined the effects of different land use and flooding intensity on soil aggregate stability and organic C and N contents along the Three Gorges Reservoir riparian zone in China. The results showed that the coupling effects of land use and flooding intensity were crucial in explaining the variability in soil stability. Maintaining higher levels of organic carbon and nitrogen through appropriate land use strategies was found to promote soil aggregate formation and stability. The study suggests that different land use practices should be implemented at different elevations to enhance soil stability and organic C and N accumulation in riparian zones with similar conditions.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gao Yang, Ying Li, Tieqing Huang, Bolin Fu, Jing Tang, Xing Zhang, Jisheng Wu
Summary: This study developed a multi-scale evaluation method to assess the ecological restoration effects (EREs) of riparian areas, using remote sensing observations and ecological partitioning. Results showed that the riparian ecosystem exhibited degradation before restoration, and while the project did not meet its objectives in 2016, significant success was achieved in 2019. The vulnerable riparian ecosystems were mainly located in reach D and F, with dominant factors for restoration including canopy coverage, human disturbance, and natural vegetation percent.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jin Wang, Jinman Wang, Jianing Zhang
Summary: China has conducted integrated regional ecosystem protection and restoration governance, with ecological resilience (ER) as the foundation for achieving sustainable regional development. This study constructed an assessment model of ER in China and quantitatively measured its spatial and temporal distribution characteristics, as well as exploring its relationship with land-use types. The research found clear spatial heterogeneity and agglomeration of ER in China, and divided the country into three regions based on the ER contributions of different land-use types. The study provides detailed understanding and explores the important role of ER in the regional development process, supporting regional ecological protection and restoration as well as sustainable development.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Joshua Chenoweth, Patrick B. Shafroth, Rebecca L. Brown, James M. Helfield, Jenise M. Bauman, Sara Cendejas-Zarelli, Chhaya M. Werner, Jarrett L. Schuster, Olivia A. Morgan
Summary: Large dam removals have impacts on natural and managed revegetation of reservoir landscapes. This study on the removal of two large dams on the Elwha River found that sediment texture and landform affect vegetation cover, species richness, and composition. Planting trees and shrubs increased species richness, while seeding reduced non-native vegetation. Planting during drawdown resulted in higher survival rates, and successful planting of Lupinus rivularis on coarse sediments increased foliar nitrogen in conifers.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philippe Janssen, John C. Stella, Bianca Rapple, Charles-Robin Gruel, Gabrielle Seignemartin, Bernard Pont, Simon Dufour, Herve Piegay
Summary: Many terrestrial ecosystems have been significantly transformed by human activities, particularly riverine ecosystems. Through a case study of legacy dike fields along the regulated Rhone River, it was found that long-term channelization and flow regulation have impacted environmental conditions and riparian forests, highlighting the importance of restoration strategies focusing on reconnection between dike fields and rivers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lars A. Brudvig, Nash E. Turley, Savannah L. Bartel, Lukas Bell-Dereske, Sabrie Breland, Ellen I. Damschen, Sarah E. Evans, Jason Gibbs, Philip G. Hahn, Rufus Isaacs, Joe A. Ledvina, John L. Orrock, Quinn M. Sorenson, John D. Stuhler
Summary: Ecological restoration is a global priority, but the legacies of past land-use activities can have long-lasting effects on restoration outcomes. This study found that restoration effects were greater than legacy effects, but restoration did not completely mitigate the legacy effects, especially in soil-related properties.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Weiwei Jiang, Yipeng Zhou, Ning Xiao, Henglin Xiao
Summary: This study analyzes years of drone observation data from two major reservoir riparian zones to reveal the evolution process, direction, and mechanism of vegetation spatial patterns. The research finds that seed dispersal, environmental factors fluctuations, species tolerance differences, and competition for resources drive the evolution of vegetation, showing a clear trend towards banding evolution. Ecological niche processes and neutral processes play dominant roles in the formation of vegetation banding patches. Additionally, water redistribution between vegetated and bare ground patches is crucial for their formation and stability in different parts of the riparian zone.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ayong Jiao, Wenqi Wang, Hongbo Ling, Xiaoya Deng, Junjie Yan, Fulong Chen
Summary: This paper selects the Tarim River Basin as a case study to analyze the impact of ecological water conveyance on desert riparian vegetation and hydrological elements. It constructs an ecological environment quality evaluation system and comprehensively evaluates the effect of ecological water conveyance on the damaged desert forest ecosystem. The research shows that ecological water conveyance has played a positive role in groundwater recharge and ecological restoration, providing important scientific reference for the protection and restoration of vegetation degradation in arid watersheds.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hui Zhao, Da Wei, Xiaodan Wang, Jiangtao Hong, Jianbo Wu, Donghong Xiong, Yuling Liang, Zhengrong Yuan, Yahui Qi, Lin Huang
Summary: The Tibetan Plateau, functioning as an important ecological barrier in China, has undergone large-scale ecological restoration projects over the past 30 years. While positive effects have been observed at local scales, such as ecological improvements and an increase in rare wild animals in natural reserves, there are still challenges, such as loss of animal and plant diversity in artificially planted areas. To optimize the ecological measures and build a sustainable management model, long-term effects on biodiversity should be taken into consideration.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jikai Zhao, Qiang Yu, Chenglong Xu, Jun Ma, Wei Liu, Weijie Sun, Yulin Miao, Tauqeer Nawaz
Summary: The transformation of landscape structure in mining cities is affected by various factors, leading to a decline in ecological quality. This study used land-use data from Linfen City, China to establish a network optimization strategy focusing on ecosystem self-restoration capacity and ecological patch connectivity. The results showed that the optimization method enhanced the stability of the ecological network. Local risks increased with coal mining and urban expansion, while overall risks improved with land reclamation efforts. The changes in risk were primarily influenced by factors such as mining activities and urban expansion.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Joe Atkinson, Lars A. Brudvig, Max Mallen-Cooper, Shinichi Nakagawa, Angela T. Moles, Stephen P. Bonser
Summary: The study found that restoration actions can increase biodiversity by an average of 20% and reduce biodiversity variability by 14% compared to unrestored sites. However, restored sites still lag behind reference ecosystems in biodiversity, and exhibit higher variability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ayong Jiao, Zikang Wang, Xiaoya Deng, Hongbo Ling, Fulong Chen
Summary: Desert riparian vegetation plays an important role in ecological water conveyance and biodiversity conservation. This study analyzed the ecological restoration status of the Tarim River from 2015 to 2021 and found that ecological water conveyance has contributed to groundwater recharge and restored desert forest ecosystems. The overall habitat status and ecological environment quality have improved significantly.
Review
Ecology
Jiang-Jing Wang, Xiu-Zhen Li, Shi-Wei Lin, Yu-Xi Ma
Summary: Restoring degraded and damaged salt marshes is crucial for coastal wetlands management worldwide. Evaluating the economic output of salt marsh restoration is important for understanding the gaps in knowledge related to conservation activities and economic benefits. Most restoration projects are located near major cities and rivers, and techniques vary depending on regional disturbance factors. Despite the high costs, most projects can recover their expenses within a finite time, especially large-scale restoration efforts.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(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
Biodiversity Conservation
Gangsheng Wang, Qun Gao, Yunfeng Yang, Sarah E. Hobbie, Peter B. Reich, Jizhong Zhou
Summary: The study developed a competitive dynamic enzyme allocation scheme and detailed enzyme-mediated soil inorganic N processes in the Microbial-ENzyme Decomposition (MEND) model, using soil enzymes as indicators of soil function. The model successfully simulated soil CO2 fluxes and multiple N variables, as well as predicted microbial C:N ratios and their response to enriched N supply accurately. Validation showed that changes in enzyme activities in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration were better explained by measured gene abundances.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Michael J. Schuster, Laura J. Williams, Artur Stefanski, Raimundo Bermudez, Michael Belluau, Christian Messier, Alain Paquette, Dominique Gravel, Peter B. Reich
Summary: Mixing tree species can enhance forest productivity, but the effects of species origin and phylogeny on belowground productivity are not clear. Increasing functional diversity in mixtures can stimulate overyielding of annual production. In North America, mixtures of angiosperms showed overyielding in standing biomass by 16%, while gymnosperm mixtures had no effect. European mixtures had 14% more standing biomass compared to monocultures, while North American mixtures had 10% less.
Article
Ecology
Forest Isbell, Patricia Balvanera, Akira S. Mori, Jin-Sheng He, James M. Bullock, Ganga Ram Regmi, Eric W. Seabloom, Simon Ferrier, Osvaldo E. Sala, Nathaly R. Guerrero-Ramirez, Julia Tavella, Daniel J. Larkin, Bernhard Schmid, Charlotte L. Outhwaite, Pairot Pramual, Elizabeth T. Borer, Michel Loreau, Taiwo Crossby Omotoriogun, David O. Obura, Maggie Anderson, Cristina Portales-Reyes, Kevin Kirkman, Pablo M. Vergara, Adam Thomas Clark, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Owen L. Petchey, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Laura J. Williams, Scott L. Collins, Nico Eisenhauer, Christopher H. Trisos, Delphine Renard, Alexandra J. Wright, Poonam Tripathi, Jane Cowles, Jarrett E. K. Byrnes, Peter B. Reich, Andy Purvis, Zati Sharip, Mary O'Connor, Clare E. Kazanski, Nick M. Haddad, Eulogio H. Soto, Laura E. Dee, Sandra Diaz, Chad R. Zirbel, Meghan L. Avolio, Shaopeng Wang, Zhiyuan Ma, Jingjing Liang, Hanan C. Farah, Justin Andrew Johnson, Brian W. Miller, Yann Hautier, Melinda D. Smith, Johannes M. H. Knops, Bonnie J. E. Myers, Zuzana Harmackova, Jorge Cortes, Michael B. J. Harfoot, Andrew Gonzalez, Tim Newbold, Jacqueline Oehri, Marina Mazon, Cynnamon Dobbs, Meredith S. Palmer
Summary: Despite progress in understanding global biodiversity loss, there are still taxonomic and geographic knowledge gaps. Decision makers often rely on expert judgement, but cannot engage with large and diverse groups of specialists. A survey of biodiversity experts worldwide revealed consensus and differences in perspectives and estimates, with underrepresented groups recommending different conservation priorities and providing higher estimates of biodiversity loss.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. L. Gill, R. M. Grinder, C. R. See, F. S. Chapin, L. C. DeLancey, M. C. Fisk, P. M. Groffman, T. Harms, S. E. Hobbie, J. D. Knoepp, J. M. H. Knops, M. Mack, P. B. Reich, A. D. Keiser
Summary: Autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms require stoichiometrically balanced ratios of C to nutrients, and the availability of soil C influences the competition between autotrophic nitrifiers and heterotrophic decomposers for ammonium, affecting N mineralization and nitrification dynamics. This study used data from the LTER network to examine the impact of soil C concentration on the relationship between net nitrification and net N mineralization. The results showed that soil C availability constrains the fraction of mineralized N that undergoes nitrification, leading to decreased nitrification rates in high C concentration soils.
Article
Ecology
Justin O'Connor, John Morrongiello, Renae Ayres, Frank Amtstaetter, Wayne Koster, Adrian Kitchingman, Tanya Cowell, Matt Bowler, Robin Hale
Summary: Understanding the habitat use and likelihood of movement of animals can enhance the outcomes of restoration and reintroduction programs. In this study, river blackfish were reintroduced into two sites, one with rehabilitation efforts and the other without manipulation. Fish occupancy, habitat use, and movement drivers were monitored for 9 months after release. Results showed that fish were more likely to remain at the treatment site and spent more time in deeper areas with riparian vegetation. Habitat, flow, and time since release were significant predictors of fish movement.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Thore Engel, Helge Bruelheide, Daniela Hoss, Francesco M. Sabatini, Jan Altman, Mohammed A. S. Arfin-Khan, Erwin Bergmeier, Tomas Cerny, Milan Chytry, Matteo Dainese, Juergen Dengler, Jiri Dolezal, Richard Field, Felicia M. Fischer, Dries Huygens, Ute Jandt, Florian Jansen, Anke Jentsch, Dirk N. Karger, Jens Kattge, Jonathan Lenoir, Frederic Lens, Jaqueline Loos, Ulo Niinemets, Gerhard E. Overbeck, Wim A. Ozinga, Josep Penuelas, Gwendolyn Peyre, Oliver Phillips, Peter B. Reich, Christine Roemermann, Brody Sandel, Marco Schmidt, Franziska Schrodt, Eduardo Velez-Martin, Cyrille Violle, Valerio Pillar
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of dominance and niche partitioning on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships in grassland systems worldwide. The results indicate that dominance effects, related to the traits of the dominant species, have a significant impact on BEF relationships, while functional diversity (FD) does not affect primary productivity (NDVI).
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Emma Ladouceur, Forest Isbell, Adam T. Clark, W. Stanley Harpole, Peter B. Reich, G. David Tilman, Jonathan M. Chase
Summary: Human impacts have caused significant biodiversity change, which varies depending on scale. Passive or active ecological restoration is a key method for managing these changes. Recovery of biodiversity following disturbance is often incomplete and influenced by landscape matrix and contingent factors. Inferences about recovery and biodiversity change depend on the temporal and spatial scales of measurement.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
A. R. G. Mason, T. R. Cavagnaro, G. R. Guerin, A. J. Lowe
Summary: The aboveground ecological impacts of agricultural land use change are well studied, but the belowground impacts remain poorly understood. This study used soil physicochemical assessment and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the changes in soil physical properties and bacterial assemblages across an agricultural landscape. The results highlight the impact of agricultural inputs on soil nutrition and suggest that actions taken to restore native plant communities may also recover natural microbial communities, with implications for soil and plant health.
Article
Agronomy
Bahareh Bicharanloo, Matthias Johannes Salomon, Timothy R. Cavagnaro, Claudia Keitel, Chris Brien, Nathaniel Jewell, Bettina Berger, Thomas Lines, Feike A. Dijkstra
Summary: The study found that non-mycorrhizal plants were as successful as mycorrhizal plants in terms of N and water uptake under reduced and variable water availability. However, mycorrhizal plants showed lower water use efficiency and shoot N recovery, potentially due to their higher requirements for water and N. Non-mycorrhizal plants had greater specific root exudation, resulting in relatively greater uptake of N than P across all watering conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Artur Stefanski, Ethan E. Butler, Raimundo Bermudez, Rebecca A. Montgomery, Peter B. Reich
Summary: The linkage between stomatal behavior and photosynthesis is crucial for understanding the water and carbon cycles under global change. The study found that both warming and reduced rainfall lead to more conservative stomatal behavior in plants, resulting in less water loss per unit carbon gain.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hue T. T. Ngo, Timothy R. Cavagnaro, Nathaniel Jewell, Christopher J. Brien, Bettina Berger, Stephanie J. Watts-Williams
Summary: High-throughput phenotyping was used to evaluate growth responses of tomato plants with different rates of nitrogen and phosphorus application. The results showed that readily available soil phosphorus was important for early growth, while available nitrogen was more important in later stages. A fertilizer formulation combining inorganic and organic phosphorus sources could sustain rapid shoot growth and reduce the need for additional nitrogen input.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Merek M. Kesser, Timothy R. Cavagnaro, Roberta De Bei, Cassandra Collins
Summary: Major shifts in vineyard floor management have occurred in the past thirty years. Initially, intensive tillage led to soil erosion, soil structure degeneration, and increased use of herbicides. However, concerns over herbicide toxicity and resistance have resulted in a shift towards reduced herbicide usage and increased tillage. The study found that low-intensity management strategies can lead to higher plant diversity, improved soil water infiltration, and higher levels of soil nutrients.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
A. R. G. Mason, M. J. Salomon, A. J. Lowe, T. R. Cavagnaro
Summary: Inoculation of soil with living microbes or propagules has gained attention and application for modifying/degrading soil systems and maintaining agricultural yields. However, the utilization of beneficial microorganisms as an agronomic tool for large-scale agriculture remains relatively insignificant. This review emphasizes the need to understand the role of soil microbes in soil carbon cycling, in order to develop products capable of supporting soil carbon sequestration and retention.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Alison R. Gill, Beth R. Loveys, Timothy R. Cavagnaro, Rachel A. Burton
Summary: This study discusses the potential of hemp as a drought resistant crop and its water use efficiency in different environments and varieties. Compared to other fiber crops, hemp has relatively low water requirements, showing great potential for producing sustainable fibers in a changing climate.
Article
Soil Science
Kate E. Matthews, Jose M. Facelli, Timothy R. Cavagnaro
Summary: Global change scenarios predict that precipitation regimes will become more variable, which will affect soil microbial community composition and nutrient cycling. Understanding these responses is crucial for predicting changes in ecosystem functions.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)