Article
Forestry
C. Espinosa del Alba, J. Hjalten, J. Sjogren
Summary: The study evaluated the impacts of restoration methods on forest stands in northern Sweden. Prescribed burning initially caused a decline in diversity but led to an increase in the long term for vascular plants, while ground layer bryophytes remained lower post-restoration. Gap cutting had no significant effects on diversity or community composition.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Kishor Aryal, Nripesh Awasthi, Tek Maraseni, Hari Krishna Laudari, Pabitra Gotame, Dhan Bahadur Bist
Summary: Nepal's Scientific Forest Management policy aimed to restore and enhance forest conditions, increase employment, timber production, and economic growth, but it may conflict with Nepal's own biodiversity and emission reduction policies. Evaluating a Sal-dominated forest, it was found that while SciFM was beneficial for Sal regeneration, it was counterproductive in achieving national objectives of REDD+, biodiversity conservation, and land productivity enhancement in the short-run. Lessons from SciFM practices were discussed to align with restoration objectives at a national and global scale, with implications for other parts of the world implementing intensive forest management programs.
Article
Environmental Studies
Ravi Pathak, Shinny Thakur, Vikram S. Negi, Ranbeer S. Rawal, Amit Bahukhandi, Kamini Durgapal, Anjali Barola, Deep Tewari, Indra D. Bhatt
Summary: The study found that the community forests in the western Himalayan region show a leaning towards management and governance, with a recent shift towards focusing on ecological processes and climate change mitigation. While the ecological health of the studied forests is deteriorating overall, those with proper management exhibit better ecological health, especially those established before 1980 with high species richness and native species contribution. Forests located at higher elevations perform better in terms of ecological health and management status.
Article
Environmental Studies
Grit Techel, Mulugeta Lemenih, Till Pistorius
Summary: Ethiopia has pledged to restore 15 million hectares of degraded forest lands by 2030, in line with national and international policy objectives. However, addressing technical, financial, and policy challenges is necessary for successful implementation at scale.
Article
Ecology
Linhao Wu, Jaime Pinzon
Summary: Cumulative effects of anthropogenic and natural disturbances, such as oil and gas exploration and wildfire, on the biodiversity in boreal ecosystems have become increasingly relevant. This study examines the short-term response of rove-beetle assemblages to the combined effects of wildfire and linear footprint in Alberta, Canada. The results show that wildfire did not reduce the linear footprint, and the cumulative effect of these disturbances had a complex influence on rove-beetle recovery, indicating the importance of long-term monitoring to understand the biodiversity responses to such disturbances.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Enrique Hernandez-Rodriguez, Luis H. Escalera-Vazquez, Deneb Garcia-Avila, Miguel Montoro Girona, Eduardo Mendoza
Summary: Forest harvesting is a significant economic activity worldwide, but it can lead to habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. Reduce-impact logging (RIL) management aims to minimize these impacts by following regulations and involving trained workers. A study in Mexico found similar diversity and community structures for terrestrial and epiphytic mosses in managed and conserved sites, with certain moss species serving as ecological indicators for light and humidity conditions. The results suggest that RIL forest management could help balance timber production and moss diversity.
Editorial Material
Biology
Simon L. Lewis
Summary: Restoration science is rapidly growing and becoming increasingly important in addressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural development. To realize its potential, data-driven studies, robust results, improved reproducibility, contextualized results, attention to economics, and consideration of wider restoration goals are crucial.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Marcos Vinicius Bohrer Monteiro Siqueira, Miklos Maximiliano Bajay, Carolina Grando, Jaqueline Bueno de Campos, Jayca Amate Marim Toledo, Giovana Tomazela Domingues, Camila Macrini, Evandro Vagner Tambarussi, Pedro Henrique Santin Brancalion, Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues, Jose Baldin Pinheiro, Maria Imaculada Zucchi
Summary: The study focuses on restoration projects in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, revealing higher genetic diversity in restored locations compared to natural remnants and higher genetic variation within populations than between populations in different environments. The evaluation of restored tree populations of C. sylvestris is crucial for monitoring long-term restoration programs.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhentao Shen, Yan Tian, Yuxin Yao, Wenqiong Jiang, Jieyu Dong, Xizhi Huang, Xiaohong Wu, Taimoor Hassan Farooq, Wende Yan
Summary: Ecological restoration research plays an important role in solving ecological and environmental problems. The number of publications in this field has rapidly increased over the past 30 years, with hotspots including restoration of different ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and restoration, and the impact of environmental factors and human disturbances on restoration. Researchers have shifted their focus from local ecosystems to socio-economic-natural coupled ecosystem restoration.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christian D. Larson, Lisa J. Rew
Summary: This study assessed the vegetation response and recovery on forest roads decommissioned using different treatments, and found that recontouring treatment had the best restoration effect, with more native species and moving towards reference communities.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Haibin Kang, Yue Xue, Chenglong Yan, Sheng Lu, Hang Yang, Jiaqi Zhu, Zhenjie Fu, Dexiang Wang
Summary: This study investigated the microbial metabolic limitations in the rhizosphere and bulk soils during oak forest restoration in the Qinling Mountains, China. The results showed that microbial metabolism was primarily limited by soil carbon and phosphorus, and these limitations decreased as the restoration progressed. Rhizosphere soil microorganisms experienced stronger carbon limitation compared to those in bulk soil, and microbial carbon and phosphorus limitations in bulk soil were regulated by nutrient ratios.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Junfang Wang, Guodong Han, Zhaoming Wang, Jinfeng Yun, Zhongwu Wang, Zhiguo Li, Shijie Lv, Jie Qin
Summary: Ecological restoration has a positive impact on global climate change and the storage of carbon in plant-soil interactions during the restoration process varies over time. Artificial interference and natural restoration have different effects on carbon storage, and climate change and biodiversity are closely related to plant-soil carbon storage.
Review
Ecology
Karen D. Holl, Justin C. Luong, Pedro H. S. Brancalion
Summary: The extensive evidence suggests that restoration practices often result in lower regional diversity compared to reference landscapes. This is due to the selection of easily-grown species with high survival rates, which reduces genetic diversity. To counteract biotic homogenization, reintroducing species adapted to localized conditions and unlikely to colonize naturally, periodically reintroducing propagules from remnant populations to increase genetic diversity, and reintroducing higher trophic level fauna to restore interaction networks that promote habitat heterogeneity are discussed. Policy changes, such as regional coordination among restoration groups, financial incentives for conservation-valued species, and experimental designations for rare species introductions, can also increase regional diversity.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Andreea Petronela Spinu, Weronika Mysiak, Juergen Bauhus, Kamil Bielak, Mats Niklasson
Summary: The conservation value of habitat trees in forests is largely determined by the presence, richness, and abundance of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs). The strict protection of forest through cessation of timber harvesting does not significantly influence the abundance and richness of TreMs on living trees. However, tree species with shorter life spans and faster growth rates can accelerate habitat restoration by developing TreMs more quickly.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Luara Castilho Pereira, Leonardo Balbinot, Gregorio Nolazco Matus, Herly Carlos Teixeira Dias, Kelly Cristina Tonello
Summary: Although the soil density and moisture varied in each passive restoration site, the 11 year-old passive restoration site showed similar resistance to penetration and infiltration rate to the 46 year-old passive restoration site.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Adele Muscolo, Giovanna Settineri, Federico Romeo, Carmelo Mallamaci
Summary: This study identified that different thinning intensities had varying effects on the abundance, species richness, and diversity of arthropods, fungi, bacteria colonies, and soil properties in different seasons. Intense thinning was found to promote the highest biodiversity and reduce competitive exclusion among soil organisms, thus enhancing species richness and diversity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Rosaria Panuccio, Federico Romeo, Carmelo Mallamaci, Adele Muscolo
Summary: The study found that neutral soil and alkaline soil responded differently to solid and liquid fractions of digestate, depending mainly on soil characteristics. Solid fraction was more effective in improving soil quality and microbial biomass carbon, and had more agricultural and environmental advantages than liquid fraction.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maria Rosaria Panuccio, Carmelo Mallamaci, Emilio Attina, Adele Muscolo
Summary: The study revealed that the two digestates had different effects on tomato production, with the type of solid fraction being more influential than concentration. The liquid fractions' effectiveness was largely dependent on concentrations rather than the type of digestate used. The nutritional values of tomatoes were positively affected by both digestates, enhancing health-promoting compounds in the fruits.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hafeez Ur Rehman, Absaar Tariq, Imran Ashraf, Mukhtar Ahmed, Adele Muscolo, Shahzad M. A. Basra, Matthew Reynolds
Summary: Wheat crops are subjected to terminal heat stress during flowering and grain-filling stages, affecting their performance. Late sowing reduces some yield-related traits but increases others, such as productive tillers and grain yield. Advanced lines and genotype Punjab-11 exhibit delayed maturity and improved agronomic performance under late sowing.
Article
Agronomy
Maria R. Panuccio, Federico Romeo, Federica Marra, Carmelo Mallamaci, Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Adele Muscolo
Summary: Different lentil cultivars have specific mechanisms for salt tolerance, with each cultivar exhibiting different patterns of sodium and osmoregulatory compound accumulation under saline conditions.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Muscolo, F. Romeo, F. Marra, C. Mallamaci
Summary: This study focused on recycling different types of pollutant wastes to limit landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and produce organic-mineral fertilizers. Sulphur-based pads improved soil quality, especially when containing orange residues. Onion and Garlic grew better and had improved quality, in terms of antioxidant compounds and capacity, in the presence of sulphur-based pads and orange residues.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
A. Muscolo, F. Marra, F. Salafia, P. Andronaco, R. Di Sanzo, S. Carabetta, Mt Russo
Summary: Citrus bergamia and Olea europaea L. variety Carolea are considered niche functional foods due to their high content of bioactive compounds. The addition of extracts from these fruits to beers enriched their antioxidant activity and phenolic profile, improving their sensory properties and potentially benefiting human health.
EUROPEAN FOOD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adele Muscolo, Francesco Mauriello, Federica Marra, Paolo Salvatore Calabro, Mariateresa Russo, Rosaria Ciriminna, Mario Pagliaro
Summary: AnchoisFert, an organic fertilizer made from milled anchovy leftovers and biobased limonene, is found to be highly effective in promoting the growth of Tropea's red onion. It outperforms commonly used organic and chemical fertilizers, contains rich nutrients without antibiotics or antibiotic resistance genes, and can replace conventional organic and inorganic fertilizers. This discovery closes the material cycle for the most fished species in the seas and paves the way for a new class of high-performance organic fertilizers derived from abundant biowaste through a low-cost and environmentally-friendly circular economy process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Laura Matrella, Alessio Valletti, Federica Marra, Carmelo Mallamaci, Tiziana Cocco, Adele Muscolo
Summary: This study demonstrated that fertilizing red onions with sulphur-bentonite enriched with orange residue or olive pomace had a positive effect on the quality and health beneficial compounds of the onions. The extracts from these treated onions exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity and improved cell viability under oxidative stress conditions. The beneficial effects were attributed to the phenols and flavonols present in the onions, particularly chlorogenic and p-coumaric acids and kaempferol.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Marra, Beatrix Petrovicova, Francesco Canino, Angela Maffia, Carmelo Mallamaci, Adele Muscolo
Summary: The use of pomegranate is increasing worldwide due to its reputation as a tasty and healthy food. This research analyzed the chemical composition of pomegranate peel from different regions and cultivars, comparing traditional freeze-drying methods with an innovative physic dry concentration procedure. The study found that the peel from Wonderful pomegranate cultivated in Calabria and treated with the innovative drying process had the highest levels of valuable bioactive compounds.
Article
Horticulture
A. Muscolo, F. Marra, F. Canino, A. Maffia, C. Mallamaci, Mt. Russo
Summary: Organic and industrial wastes can be utilized to produce organic-mineral fertilizers for land restoration and crop quality improvement. This study focused on using sulphur recovered from hydrocarbon refining residues and orange wastes stabilized with bentonite to cultivate lettuce. The results showed that sulphur-based fertilizers primarily improved the quality of lettuce, increasing the potassium and sulphate content as well as the amount of antioxidants and nutrients. The study suggests that using sulphur-based fertilizers can enhance the growth and quality of lettuce.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mario Pagliaro, Claudia Lino, Daniela Maria Pizzone, Francesco Mauriello, Mariateresa Russo, Adele Muscolo, Rosaria Ciriminna, Giuseppe Avellone
Summary: The analysis reveals the presence of 16 amino acids in AnchoisFert, a new organic fertilizer co-product of fish oil extraction. These amino acids greatly contribute to the sustainability of anchovy fishing, processing and consumption.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Adele Muscolo, Mukhtar Ahmed
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ines Ben Said, Adele Muscolo, Imed Mezghani, Mohamed Chaieb
Summary: The increasing aridity exacerbated by climatic changes is leading to the loss of perennial herbaceous plants Cenchrus ciliaris, which is used as forage in hot and dry areas, and is currently under threat due to water scarcity. In this study, treated municipal wastewater (TWW) was used to irrigate two ploidy levels of C. ciliaris for two consecutive years. The results showed that TWW irrigation positively affected the growth and nutritive properties of C. ciliaris, with the tetraploid cultivar showing better growth and quality. The findings suggest that TWW can be strategically used for irrigating forage species, contributing to a green and sustainable circular economy.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Federica Marra, Angela Maffia, Francesco Canino, Carmelo Greco, Carmelo Mallamaci, Muscolo Adele
Summary: A newly developed sustainable fertilizer, SB, made from blending organic and mineral components using waste materials, has been shown to positively impact soil chemistry and biology. It increases soil organic matter, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities. SB represents a promising innovation for transitioning to sustainable agriculture, reducing waste disposal costs, and decreasing reliance on mineral fertilizers. Soil characteristics should be considered when optimizing fertilizer use.
ARCHIVES OF AGRONOMY AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)