Review
Agronomy
Daolong Xu, Xiufen Li, Jian Chen, Jianghua Li
Summary: Open-pit mining has caused extensive land destruction and serious environmental problems in Inner Mongolia, China. Therefore, the rehabilitation of mines and agricultural land has attracted widespread attention from the Chinese government. Combining microbial restoration technology with vegetation and soil improvement is recommended as a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial technique in mining reclamation.
Article
Geography, Physical
Quanqin Shao, Shuchao Liu, Jia Ning, Guobo Liu, Fan Yang, Xiongyi Zhang, Linan Niu, Haibo Huang, Jiangwen Fan, Jiyuan Liu
Summary: We propose a theoretical framework to evaluate the ecological benefits of key national ecological projects in China. Through ground survey and remote sensing data, we generated a dataset of primary and secondary indicators related to ecosystem structure, quality, and services. Our study found that areas with higher degrees of ecological restoration were mainly located in specific regions, and the contributions of climatic factors and ecological projects to changes in vegetation and water erosion were quantified. The study highlights the importance of considering climate conditions and implementing comprehensive measures to maximize the benefits of ecological investment funds.
JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhenyu Wang, Keyu Luo, Yuhao Zhao, Alex M. Lechner, Jiansheng Wu, Qingliang Zhu, Wei Sha, Yanglin Wang
Summary: This study aims to model and map ecological security and restoration priorities in an intensive open cut coal mining region accounting for spatio-temporal changes of multiple ecosystem services. The results showed that habitat quality, carbon sequestration, and water yield services were most affected by mining exploitation, while sediment retention was influenced by multiple natural factors, especially topography. Ecological source areas and corridors showed various changing trends due to mined and built-up land expansion over time.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hang Shan, Qingchuan Chou, Chaochao Lv, Yuqing Tian, Hao Wang, Lei Shi, Zihao Wen, Weijie Wang, Xiaolin Zhang, Kuanyi Li, Leyi Ni, Te Cao
Summary: Macrophytes with different growth forms have diverse functional traits and ecological functions. An ecological restoration project has proven to be highly effective in improving water quality and biological components. Changes in plant community structure and macrophyte growth forms influence water quality differences, with a reduction in canopy-forming plants enhancing water quality homogeneity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
K. J. Wallace, Bruce D. Clarkson, Bridgette Farnworth
Summary: Successfully reconstructing functioning forest ecosystems from early-successional tree plantings is a long-term process. However, many projects lack monitoring and observations of critical successional information, such as the restoration trajectory of key ecosystem attributes and ecological thresholds. This study presents results from a 14-year urban temperate rainforest restoration project in New Zealand, showing relationships between key ecosystem attributes and forest age, as well as the occurrence of ecological thresholds.
Article
Environmental Studies
Ronju Ahammad, Mohammed Kamal Hossain, Istiak Sobhan, Rakibul Hasan, Shekhar R. Biswas, Sharif A. Mukul
Summary: The Bangladeshi government plans to restore 0.75 million ha of degraded forestland, but there is limited knowledge about the potential challenges and opportunities of achieving this goal. Previous restoration programs in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region have focused on tree planting and agroforestry, neglecting the ecological functionality and biodiversity benefits of restored forests. Issues such as unresolved land rights and lack of suitable acts and policies further hinder successful forest restoration efforts. Future programs should prioritize improving biodiversity and involving local communities in restoration activities.
Article
Environmental Studies
Ronju Ahammad, Mohammed Kamal Hossain, Istiak Sobhan, Rakibul Hasan, Shekhar R. Biswas, Sharif A. Mukul
Summary: Bangladesh government has pledged to restore 0.75 million ha of degraded forestland, but little is known about the challenges and opportunities involved. Past restoration programmes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts focused on tree cover improvement without considering ecological functionality and did not engage local communities effectively. Resolving land rights issues and involving multi-stakeholders in future forest and landscape restoration programmes are crucial for achieving social and ecological benefits.
Review
Ecology
Nancy Shackelford, Joan Dudney, Melinda M. Stueber, Vicky M. Temperton, Katharine L. Suding
Summary: The use of contemporary, ecosystem-specific reference data has been common in restoration projects, but as global conditions continue to shift, there is a call for greater diversity in data sources, including forecasted and spatially diverse information, to enhance flexibility and long-term success in restoration efforts.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Arne Arnberger, Paul H. Gobster, Ingrid E. Schneider, Kristin M. Floress, Anna L. Haines, Renate Eder
Summary: This study examined the acceptability of different silvicultural treatments for restoring pine barrens. The results showed that the acceptability ratings generally declined as the treatments became more intensive and created greater openness on the landscape. Information recipients found selective openings and fire treatments more acceptable. The findings have implications for designing and communicating the purpose and value of restoration treatments to stakeholder groups.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoxing Liu, Jingyi Ding, Wenwu Zhao
Summary: This study comprehensively assesses the impact of different ecological projects (including afforestation and grassland restoration) on ecosystem services (carbon storage, water conservation, soil retention). The results suggest that afforestation increases carbon storage and soil retention, while the effects of grassland restoration are mixed and overall changes in water conservation are negligible. Considering prior land use/measures, implementation age, climate, topography, and other resources is critical for optimizing ecosystem services.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mark A. Ditmer, George Wittemyer, Stewart W. Breck, Kevin R. Crooks
Summary: This study quantified and mapped the tolerance for wolves among citizens in Colorado using voting records, and combined it with spatial data to estimate the conflict risk between wolves and humans. The results showed that around 56% of the area had relatively low conflict risk and ecologically suitable habitat for wolves. These findings can inform targeted management strategies to facilitate human-carnivore coexistence and the success of carnivore restoration efforts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yuanyuan Chang, Fu Chen, Yanfeng Zhu, Yunnan You, Yanjun Cheng, Jing Ma
Summary: Vegetation recovery has a significant influence on the characteristics of soil microbial communities, and studying these communities can improve our understanding of ecological resilience and self-maintenance in open-pit mining areas.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Qing Yang, Gengyuan Liu, Marco Casazza, Stefano Dumontet, Zhifeng Yang
Summary: Ecological restoration programs have been beneficial to ecosystem services improvement, but challenges remain in planning and management due to climate change, rapid land use change, and insufficient simulation and identification of thresholds. A new framework is proposed to address these challenges, including attribution analysis, assessment of climate-land use change impacts, simulation of restoration program effects, and threshold identification. Recommendations for future research directions are also provided.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Sibo Chen, Jinguo Hua, Wanting Liu, Siyu Yang, Xiaoqi Wang, Wenli Ji
Summary: Landslides cause significant disturbances to mountainous ecosystems and human activities. Climate change has increased the frequency of landslides as secondary disasters. Artificial restoration is found to more quickly improve vegetation and soil compared to natural recovery. Natural recovery, however, shows greater stability over a longer time period.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiwei Gao, Ziying Liu, Zhaohui Wu, Jing Huang, Li Zhang, Guogang Zhang, Meiqing Jia, Guodong Han
Summary: Using high-throughput sequencing, this study analyzed the impact of ecological package restoration on soil properties and nematode community structure and function in open-pit mine wasteland. The study found that after 7 years of ecological package restoration, the restoration project achieved the expected outcomes. The study also evaluated the soil health status of an abandoned open-pit iron mine at different restoration time periods and identified key soil nematode genera.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Philosophy
James A. Harris
Summary: This paper delves into Nicholas Phillipson's views on the place of Hume in the Scottish Enlightenment, drawing inspiration from Hume's roles as a "civic moralist" and the author of "The History of England," as well as his intellectual biography of Adam Smith. It ultimately concludes that Hume's significance in the history of the Scottish Enlightenment cannot be understated according to Phillipson.
HISTORY OF EUROPEAN IDEAS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Ivan Jaric, Uri Roll, Marino Bonaiuto, Barry W. Brook, Franck Courchamp, Josh A. Firth, Kevin J. Gaston, Tina Heger, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Richard J. Ladle, Yves Meinard, David L. Roberts, Kate Sherren, Masashi Soga, Andrea Soriano-Redondo, Diogo Verissimo, Ricardo A. Correia
Summary: The ongoing global biodiversity crisis not only leads to biological extinctions, but also results in the loss of cultural knowledge and collective memory of species, known as 'societal extinction of species'. This phenomenon is cognitively challenging, but it has significant consequences for conservation policy and management, affecting societal perceptions, support for conservation efforts, and causing the loss of cultural heritage.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Tina Heger
Summary: Invasion ecology examines the expansion of species beyond their native ranges and aims to identify the underlying mechanisms for their establishment and spread in non-evolutionary areas. This paper argues that the field can benefit from a philosophical discussion on the nature of mechanisms, defining causal mechanisms as recurring networks of causal relationships. Using enemy release in invasion ecology as an example, the paper demonstrates how such mechanisms can be depicted as causal network diagrams, facilitating step-by-step explanations and enhancing the linkage between empirical tests and theory.
BIOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY
(2022)
Book Review
Philosophy
James A. Harris
PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY
(2023)
Book Review
Philosophy
James A. Harris
HISTORY OF EUROPEAN IDEAS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Vanessa S. Brown, Alison L. Ritchie, Jason C. Stevens, Taylah D. Hanks, Richard J. Hobbs, Todd E. Erickson
Summary: This study aimed to optimize the position of seeds within pellets to improve emergence and survival rates of Jacksonia furcellata. The results showed that seeds positioned at the bottom of pellets without activated carbon (AC) had the highest emergence rate, while seeds in the middle of pellets with AC had lower emergence rate. Further research and testing are needed to refine pellet production for optimal emergence.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alexis D. Synodinos, Rajat Karnatak, Carlos A. Aguilar-Trigueros, Pierre Gras, Tina Heger, Danny Ionescu, Stefanie Maass, Camille L. Musseau, Gabriela Onandia, Aimara Planillo, Lina Weiss, Sabine Wollrab, Masahiro Ryo
Summary: The study of global change has largely focused on the magnitude of change rather than the speed at which it occurs. However, environmental change is happening at unprecedented rates. This study aims to apply the theory of rate-induced tipping in ecology to understand which properties increase susceptibility to rates of change.
Article
Ecology
Ella Z. Daly, Olivier Chabrerie, Francois Massol, Benoit Facon, Manon C. M. Hess, Aurelie Tasiemski, Frederic Grandjean, Matthieu Chauvat, Frederique Viard, Estelle Forey, Laurent Folcher, Elise Buisson, Thomas Boivin, Sylvie Baltora-Rosset, Romain Ulmer, Patricia Gibert, Gabrielle Thiebaut, Jelena H. Pantel, Tina Heger, David M. Richardson, David Renault
Summary: With the increasing level of biological invasions in the Anthropocene, there is still significant debate and lack of clarity on the determinants of success, impact, and sustaining mechanisms of introduced species. Empirical studies show divergent impacts and effects of biotic and abiotic factors, hindering the creation of a unified theory. The proposed synthesis categorizes invasion hypotheses along a timeline, providing a framework to navigate the theories and select appropriate concepts based on the stage of invasion.
Article
Biology
Sophie Lokatis, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Maud Bernard-Verdier, Sascha Buchholz, Hans-Peter Grossart, Frank Havemann, Franz Hoelker, Yuval Itescu, Ingo Kowarik, Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, Daniel Mietchen, Camille L. Musseau, Aimara Planillo, Conrad Schittko, Tanja M. Straka, Tina Heger
Summary: Urban ecology is growing rapidly as a research field and must address the urgent need for sustainability. Synthesizing research and transferring knowledge between different stakeholders is crucial. Through a hypothesis network, we have identified and linked 62 research hypotheses in urban ecology. This network clusters hypotheses into four themes and serves as a first step towards a knowledge base for urban ecology.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ivan Jaric, Ricardo A. Correia, Marino Bonaiuto, Barry W. Brook, Franck Courchamp, Josh A. Firth, Kevin J. Gaston, Tina Heger, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Richard J. Ladle, Yves Meinard, David L. Roberts, Kate Sherren, Masashi Soga, Andrea Soriano-Redondo, Diogo Verissimo, Uri Roll
Summary: Societal awareness and engagement with environmental problems are crucial for effective conservation programs. Research shows that public attention to cultural products decreases over time, which could also limit motivation for conservation efforts. This study addresses the concept of attention transience in conservation, discusses its drivers and mechanisms, and provides an overview of conservation issues for which it is particularly relevant. Attention transience allows conservationists a brief opportunity to focus public awareness and mobilize support, emphasizing the importance of tailored marketing campaigns, targeted communication, and efforts to refocus attention on key issues.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Papa Mamadou Sitor Ndour, Adnane Bargaz, Zineb Rchiad, Mark Pawlett, Ian M. Clark, Tim H. Mauchline, Jim Harris, Karim Lyamlouli
Summary: Microbial catabolic activity (MCA) is commonly used to assess soil microbial function potential, and methods such as multi-substrate-induced respiration (MSIR) are available to measure MCA and estimate functional diversity. This review compares different techniques for measuring soil MCA and discusses the effectiveness of MSIR-based approaches as indicators of microbial function. It also explores the relationship between MSIR measurements and agricultural practices, soil enzyme activities, and soil chemical properties. Additionally, the potential of using molecular tools and stable isotope probing in MCA measurement is proposed.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ruben Sakrabani, Kenisha Garnett, Jerry W. Knox, Jane Rickson, Mark Pawlett, Natalia Falagan, Nicholas T. Girkin, Michelle Cain, M. Carmen Alamar, Paul J. Burgess, Jim Harris, Kumar Patchigolla, Daniel Sandars, Anil Graves, Jack Hannam, Robert Simmons
Summary: The agricultural sector is facing challenges such as climate uncertainty, extreme weather events, pest and disease risks, soil degradation, and food losses. Geopolitical instability and volatile energy prices worsen the situation. Achieving net zero strategies is essential for food security and addressing negative environmental impacts. This paper explores viable options for achieving net zero in the arable/livestock and protected cropping sectors in the UK through a PESTLE analysis, highlighting actions such as policy changes, circular economy approaches, information accessibility, resilience building, dietary changes, target setting, and farm economics. The findings can inform policy and drive meaningful changes in global food and environmental security.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xavier Albano, Andrew P. P. Whitmore, Ruben Sakrabani, Cathy L. L. Thomas, Tom Sizmur, Karl Ritz, Jim Harris, Mark Pawlett, Chris Watts, Stephan M. M. Haefele
Summary: Soil fertility is threatened in intensive cropping systems without sufficient organic matter and excessive use of inorganic fertilisers. A long-term study found that the application of organic amendments, combined with lower rates of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser, significantly increased the crop yield of winter wheat. The use of organic amendments improved the maximum achievable yields compared to controls without amendments, leading to an average increase of 8.8% across four seasons. This highlights the importance of incorporating organic matter into soil management practices for sustainable agriculture.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Philosophy
James A. Harris
Summary: In 18th century Britain, there were different perspectives on poverty, including the moral, economic, and political aspects. This article focuses on the idea that poverty could be a political issue, leading to social instability. The author analyzes the treatment of poverty by Smith, Paine, Godwin, Burke, and Malthus, and concludes that modern ideas of social justice are derived more from the 19th century and subsequent developments in moral and political thought.
SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katharina Mayer, Tina Heger, Ingolf Kuhn, Stefan Nehring, Mirijam Gaertner
Summary: The increase in global trade and traffic networks has led to the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, which pose a threat to biodiversity. In response, the EU and Germany have developed an action plan to prevent and manage the unintentional introduction and spread of invasive alien species through targeted measures.
