Articles tagged with Ecological Restoration
A new study by the University of Göttingen and Freie Universität Berlin found that Mediterranean-type regions require tailored restoration methods due to varying soil and climate conditions. The research suggests that compromises are often needed, and what works best depends on local goals and conditions.
Researchers argue that deliberate full extinction might be acceptable in rare cases, but only with careful consideration of ecological and moral implications. The study calls for robust ethical safeguards and inclusive decision-making frameworks to guide the use of genetic modification technologies.
A new tool, called the Condition Assessment Framework, makes it possible to assess the ecological equivalence of an area to be restored or protected in relation to a degraded area. It considers three important attributes: biodiversity, landscape, and ecosystem services.
The Ecological Society of America presents a compilation of five research articles exploring various ecological topics. Researchers found that historical nursery catalogues can predict plant invasion likelihood and identify invasive species. Urban ecosystems provide critical habitat for monarch butterflies in Northern California, while...
Researchers found that removing invasive American bullfrogs allowed native northwestern pond turtles to recover and thrive in Yosemite National Park. The study suggests that eradicating non-native bullfrogs could be necessary in priority conservation areas to help pond turtle populations recover.
Researchers found that restored peatlands with thick Sphagnum moss layers can sequester up to 48 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, exceeding expectations. This growth is particularly observed in nutrient-poor sites, which could also mitigate methane emissions.
Researchers investigate optimal seed mixes for prairie restoration, finding that single-origin seeds may be more effective than mixed-species blends. Meanwhile, a study on wind turbines reveals their potential impact on grouse habitats, while another finds giant pandas thriving in protected areas. Beetles, meanwhile, are making wood mo...
A combination of ecological restoration, economic initiatives, and political stability has led to a 30% increase in India's tiger population over the past two decades. The country's unique approach to coexistence between humans and predators involves protected reserves and multi-use landscapes where tigers and people share space.
A new study published in Science found that reforestation has the most beneficial effect on wildlife biodiversity compared to other plant-based climate-mitigation strategies. The research, led by NYBG Assistant Curator Evelyn Beaury, suggests that well-intentioned strategies could have unforeseen impacts on biodiversity.
The study traces the evolutionary history of brown algae through genomic analysis, highlighting their role in sustaining coastal habitats and combating climate change. The research also identifies practical applications in aquaculture, biotechnology, and ecosystem restoration.
Research by Göttingen University and collaborators reveals that tree islands within oil palm monocultures can naturally regenerate native tree diversity through ecological restoration. Larger island areas are particularly essential for endemic tree species struggling to find habitats.
The MEMELAND project will analyze sediments and soil in lakes across Europe to reveal how medieval farming shaped today's landscapes and biodiversity. The study aims to protect northern Europe's essential biodiversity by understanding the environmental changes that occurred during this period.
Climate scientists have proposed a new approach to conserve vulnerable ecosystems, focusing on sites with favorable weather conditions. The 'climate-change refugia' concept aims to reduce species extinctions by identifying and protecting areas least impacted by changing weather.
A study analyzing 127 studies reveals 'thresholds' for logged rainforests to sustain themselves. Beyond a certain threshold, serious proactive conservation is needed to maintain biodiversity; otherwise, the forests rapidly lose their ecological value. The findings expand the scope of which forests are considered worth conserving.
New research reveals oyster sanctuaries contain more abundant populations of oysters and other animal life, despite the presence of parasites. The study found that these areas support higher oyster densities and habitat quality than nearby harvest sites.
A long-term ecological research network can help scale up ecological restoration in Europe by providing standardized and open-access data on natural ecosystems. The network's knowledge and expertise cover most European habitats and degradation states, enabling the development of a harmonized monitoring framework for EU-wide evaluation.
A recent study finds semi-natural habitats play a crucial role in conserving pollinator diversity, outpacing the impact of pesticide use. The research suggests that prioritizing habitat conservation can be more effective than reducing pesticide application in rice fields.
A study published in BioScience reveals substantial ecological impacts of elk and other ungulates following the removal of gray wolves from Yellowstone, Olympic, and Wind Cave National Parks. This has led to declines in long-term tree recruitment, influencing plant communities and ecological processes.
Scientists have developed a research framework to incorporate ecological theory into ecosystem management, enabling more effective restoration and counteracting rising carbon dioxide emissions. The approach maps ecological theories to desired restoration outcomes, prioritizing climate-smart restoration and rebuilding ecosystems faster.
A new study suggests that tropical forests can overcome the challenge of scarce nutrients by adjusting their strategies for acquiring phosphorus. Forests of different ages respond differently to nutrient additions, with younger forests investing in nitrogen-based strategies and older forests relying on phosphatase to access phosphorus.
Restoring Sumas Lake could help the region adapt to future floods, facilitating climate resiliency. The lake's return also promotes ecological reconciliation, supporting healthy food systems and endangered species recovery.
Researchers have created a more stable environment for incubating eggs, increasing the probability of successful hatching from 10% to 41%. The innovative design uses moss and lichen in rocky barren landscapes, helping to combat habitat loss and degradation.
A study by University of Hawaii researchers suggests that revitalizing Indigenous aquaculture systems, known as loko iʻa fishponds, can increase locally available seafood production. This revival has the potential to boost local food production and provide a sustainable solution to Hawaiʻi's seafood supply.
Researchers found that diverse native wildflower plantings increase flower resources for pollinators, with higher abundance and diversity in heterogeneous landscapes. The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining wildflower plantings for multiple years to maximize floral diversity.
Fruit eating birds play a vital role in forest ecosystems by consuming, excreting, and spreading seeds to allow trees to grow and function. The study found that highly fragmented landscapes restrict bird movement, reducing carbon recovery potential by up to 38 percent.
Scientists find a mismatch between research-driven approaches to seed provenancing and practical implementation challenges faced by restoration ecologists. Stakeholder survey results highlight the need for decision support frameworks that integrate science, practice, and stakeholder involvement.
The rapid assessment of the Kakhovka Dam breach has estimated that half a million hectares of protected habitats have been exposed to hazards, including nutrients and pollutants. The study will support international action to restore a biodiversity hotspot in southern Ukraine.
A study by IB-UNICAMP researchers showed that restoring biodiverse ecosystems can prevent exotic grass invasion, which is hard to eradicate. The study found that higher plant diversity reduces invasion, likely due to competition for resources in the nutrient-poor soil.
A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that reforestation initiatives can harm wildlife and ecosystems if not done properly. The research highlights issues with tree-planting in non-forest systems, such as savannas and grasslands, which are under threat from increased tree cover.
A 20-year experiment at Yellowstone National Park found that removing apex predators led to persistent changes in the ecosystem, which may not be reversed even with their reintroduction. The study challenges the common belief that wolf reintroduction restored the ecosystem and highlights the importance of preserving the natural food web.
A recent study reveals that solar energy facilities planted with native grasses and wildflowers can rapidly support thriving insect populations. Total insect abundance tripled at the studied sites, providing additional pollination services to adjacent agricultural fields.
The study reveals significant differences in the nucleolus organizing region (NOR) of the two species, which has major implications for blight-resistance in American chestnut restoration. Researchers used fluorescent in situ hybridization to analyze the NOR region and found unique DNA arrangements.
A team of scientists suggests that coral atoll islands can adapt to sea level rise through local ecological restoration. Restoring the natural process of island growth could significantly improve the health of surrounding coral reef habitats. Funding for restoration work could empower communities to take back ownership of their futures.
Research suggests that diverse forests can capture approximately 226 Gigatonnes of carbon, but this potential can be achieved by incentivizing community-driven efforts to promote biodiversity. Restoration efforts should include natural diversity of species and sustainable practices.
Researchers found that planting conditions impact diversity, particularly for perennial species, and that timing of establishment can increase biodiversity. This understanding has important implications for managing restoration projects to promote diversity and long-term resilience.
A global survey of restoration projects reveals that most efforts fail to address the impact of herbivores on young plants. By introducing predators or barriers, conservationists can increase plant regrowth by up to 89% and speed up restoration outcomes.
A meta-analysis found that prioritizing native species can increase invasion resistance by over 50% and reduce invasive alien species' performance. High-density seeding of functionally similar or multifunctional seed mixtures is effective in controlling invasive species, with priority effects strengthened by increasing time advantage.
Re-wetting southern peatlands along the US south Atlantic coast could significantly boost carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new Duke University study reveals that maintaining water levels between 20-30 cm below the local water table can increase CO2 storage by up to 90%.
A 20-year experiment found that active replanting with diverse tree species recovers logged tropical forests faster than natural recovery. The results showed that plots with 16 native tree species recovered canopy area and total tree biomass more quickly than those with fewer species.
A recent study published in Ocean and Coastal Management found that the public perception of plans to combat oligotrophication in the Seto Inland Sea is more positive than expected. The survey revealed that respondents were unfamiliar with nutrient supply measures from factories and sewage treatment plants, but presented information si...
African lion populations are declining due to various threats including habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict. A new study reveals the importance of considering both ecological and socio-political factors in conservation strategies.
A Lancaster University-led study found that corporate-led ecosystem restoration projects often fail to report ecological outcomes, invest sufficient funds, or clearly state their aims. The research highlights the need for improved transparency and consistent reporting to ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives.
A new study reveals that large national parks can enhance bird diversity inside their borders and boost mammal diversity in nearby unprotected areas by up to 194 per cent.
Eric Quaempts, Tribal member and Department of Natural Resources Director at Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has been recognized for his work on First Foods management approach. He received the 2023 ESA Regional Policy Award for integrating tribal ecological approaches into natural resource management.
A six-year dune restoration project in Santa Monica Beach, California, has shown promising results in increasing the beach's resilience to sea level rise. The project involved creating a natural dune system using native vegetation, which trapped sand and formed hummocks and dunes.
A new hedging strategy for coral restoration balances species diversity and ecosystem benefits by selecting key species that maintain critical functions. The approach considers a range of local species and ecological characteristics to ensure the most effective restoration outcomes.
A recent study by the University of Bologna reveals that the EU is far from meeting its goal of protecting 10% of its land area for biodiversity. The study found that many countries have inadequate protection in place, with some having very few protected areas and others failing to implement integral protection in national parks. To ac...
A study in Brazilian cities highlights the need for adapted nature-based solutions (NbS) to address environmental inequality. Municipal administrators are aware of NbS, but lack clarity on how to prioritize decision-making.
An international research team has found that tree islands in oil palm plantations can significantly increase biodiversity within five years. This method also does not affect the yield of the plants. The study was conducted on an industrial-scale plantation in Indonesia and showed promising results for ecological restoration.
A new study published by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and The Nature Conservancy found that forests with diverse species are more likely to thrive, reducing the risk of planting failure. This diversity brings benefits such as pest and disease resistance, climate change resilience, and increased wildlife habitat.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that replanted eelgrass meadows can restore biodiversity rapidly, with up to 80% of invertebrates returning after just three months. The study's findings suggest smaller plot sizes can be used, saving money on restoration efforts while maintaining ecosystem health.
Researchers have developed a method to rapidly assess the persistence of entire ecological networks and detect extinction risk. By examining interactions between species, scientists can identify patterns and make 'big picture' conclusions about ecosystem health.
Adding Amazonian dark earth to soils increases plant growth by 3-8 times compared to control soil. The nutrient-rich soil also supports a greater biodiversity of beneficial bacteria and archaea, which transform chemical particles into nutrients. This 'secret weapon' could help speed up forest restoration projects worldwide.
George Mason University researchers have identified key methods for successfully reintroducing captive birds into the wild, including exposing animals to wild food and providing supplemental feeding after release. Their study provides evidence-based support for exploring the use of behavior and its management as an influential tool in ...
A recent review of China's ecological restoration efforts highlights the progress made in protecting and restoring key ecosystems. The research proposes a co-evolutionary framework to describe landscape-scale ecological restoration and its impact on ecosystem services, sustainable livelihoods, and socioeconomic development. Key finding...
Guinea grass, an invasive species in Texas, uses a combination of crowding and chemical toxins to suppress native plants. The researchers found that the toxicity of guinea grass increases dramatically when its shading effect is combined with its chemical warfare, making it harder for native plants to survive.
Warmer and drier climate conditions are making it less likely for trees to regenerate after wildfires, according to new research published in PNAS. Ecological forest management can partially offset climate-driven declines in tree regeneration by limiting fire-caused tree death, but only if action is taken quickly.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that arranging rows of trees at right angles to semi-natural habitats increases pollination performance and nut production. The design also promotes easy movement of bees through the plantation.