Articles tagged with Ecological Restoration
Researchers have identified critical areas in northern, northwestern, and western Iran for urgent conservation action. The study used maps of threatened species to pinpoint regions necessary to protect critically endangered species like the Asiatic cheetah and Persian leopard.
A global comparison of soil transplantation projects reveals significant improvements in restoring vegetations with high conservation value. The treatment increased species count and diversity by an average of 40% compared to hay addition, particularly on loamy soils over larger areas.
A new UK study published in the British Ecological Society journal People and Nature suggests that paying farmers to create woodland and wetland habitats is the most cost-effective way to deliver environmental targets. This approach, known as 'land sparing,' would cost just 48% of the funds required for 'land sharing' approaches, which...
Researchers found that wooded areas, cropland, roads, and housing developments are obstacles to snake relocation. Reconnecting fragmented populations through strategic habitat changes could help restore the species to a thriving state.
A new approach integrates top-down and bottom-up approaches to address social considerations in large-scale ecological restoration planning. This method improves the practicality and efficiency of projects by considering socioeconomic drivers and stakeholder interests. The study found that spatial matching between planned and actual re...
A new study from Michigan State University found that history plays a crucial role in determining the success of ecological restoration efforts. Researchers tracked biodiversity in restored plots, finding mixed results, including positive, neutral, and negative relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function.
A recent study found that on average, about half of trees planted in tropical and sub-tropical forest restoration efforts do not survive more than five years. However, survival rates varied greatly amongst sites and species, with some sites seeing over 80% of trees still alive after five years.
New research finds that purple needlegrass thrives in areas with sheep grazing, especially during wet weather, creating space for new growth and reducing competition from non-native grasses. The study's findings aim to inform effective management strategies for this long-lived species and its potential role in mitigating climate change.
Researchers found that soil urease and β-glucosidase increased vegetation diversity and biomass by promoting soil organic matter and nitrate nitrogen, facilitating ecological restoration. Microbes played a positive role in plant and soil substance cycling.
A study by the University of Göttingen and Malagasy universities found that vanilla plantations on fallow land have similar yields to those in forests while increasing biodiversity. This sustainable approach helps smallholder farmers secure their income, highlighting a win-win opportunity for both economy and conservation.
Experts argue that seagrasses are crucial for achieving the UN Sustainable Development goals due to their carbon absorption and biodiversity benefits. The conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows can help tackle climate change and promote biodiversity recovery, making them a nature-based solution for the planet's future.
A newly published framework outlines steps for administering probiotics to wildlife, prioritizing native species, effective dosages, and delivery systems. The goal is to restore beneficial bacteria and protect key symbiotic relationships, while considering potential risks and side effects.
A long-term marine conservation effort in the US Virgin Islands has helped recover a key fish species, the red hind, with average fish size increasing by over 35% and population reaching sustainability. The recovery is attributed to management decisions and adherence to fishing closures.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
Researchers at FAU Harbor Branch develop an ocean model to study connectivity between the Everglades and Florida Keys via Florida Bay. The tool aims to predict changes in responses to water management, ecological restoration and climate change.
A new analysis demonstrates that mangrove and coral reef restoration can be a cost-effective solution for coastal flood reduction. The study found that the benefits from reduced flood damage exceed the costs of restoration, making nature-based solutions an attractive option for funding.
A 10-year study reveals that mechanical thinning reduces fire behavior metrics without increasing invasive grasses, while prescribed fire leads to more invasive grasses. Researchers hope their findings can inform fuel break construction efforts in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem.
Researchers found that maintaining hard water reduces zinc accumulation and oxidative stress in goldfish, mitigating toxic effects. This study provides an eco-friendly approach to address aquatic ecosystem pollution caused by heavy metal contamination.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
A collaborative recovery effort led by West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations has nearly tripled the Klinse-Za caribou population in under a decade.
A recent study found that bison reintroduction to mixed-grass prairies increases bird diversity and cervid occupancy in riparian areas. Vegetation changes associated with bison grazing promote biodiversity, benefiting multiple species.
A new study suggests that relocating farmland could reduce global carbon emissions by 71% and increase biodiversity by 87%. The researchers mapped out optimal locations for major food crops, recommending areas in the US Midwest and sub-Saharan Africa to maximize yield and minimize environmental impact.
This study demonstrates that soil bacterial communities on Zijin Mountain are significantly distinct along a small elevation gradient, with soil pH as the most important driver. The researchers found distinct distribution patterns between soil microbes and plants, suggesting that body size affects elevational diversity patterns.
A study by the University of Queensland found that strong demand for tropical sea cucumbers as a delicacy is putting these species at risk of extinction. The research highlights the need for regulatory changes to protect the remaining populations and maintain healthy ocean ecosystems.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals that only 15.5% of global coastal areas remain undamaged, exposing the need for concerted efforts to conserve these ecosystems and mitigate climate change impacts.
The 2020 wildfires in Brazil's Pantanal wetland resulted in the deaths of an estimated 16.9 million vertebrates, including lizards, birds, and primates. The study estimates that between 13.2 million and 18.8 million small vertebrates and 691,000 to 1.2 million medium-to-large vertebrates were killed.
A global meta-analysis supports the U.N.'s goal of restoring habitats, finding mangrove restoration performs better than unvegetated mud, sand flats or abandoned aquaculture ponds. Restored mangroves yield significant ecological benefits and economic value, making them an ecologically and economically sound choice.
A study found that large herbivore biomass is only present in African reserves, with a close correlation between plant productivity and consumer biomass. In contrast, non-African ecosystems have low herbivore densities, even in protected areas.
A new study published in Ecological Applications demonstrates rapid expansion of restored eelgrass plots and recovery of ecosystem functions, providing improved habitat for fish and invertebrates. The study shows that restored plots can recover near or at the level seen in natural eelgrass meadows within a few years.
A unique form of English rewilding is emerging as domesticated and scaled-down compared to global efforts. This approach requires human intervention to restore ecological function and increase biodiversity.
Research suggests that concentrate farming allows for more natural habitats while meeting future food targets, resulting in better biodiversity outcomes compared to wildlife-friendly agriculture. This approach also sequesters more carbon and may benefit marine life.
SECORE International's coral breeding technique shows significant success in closing the gap to scale for coral restoration, using floating mesocosms to produce thousands of coral recruits. The approach promotes genetic diversity and can help corals cope with climate change.
Researchers have found that restoration action is at risk of failure if it doesn't consider the social and political dimensions of the effort. Key findings include a successful kelp restoration project centered on indigenous worldviews, and a lake restoration project whose main beneficiaries were well-heeled urban residents.
New research suggests that restoring Hong Kong's lost oyster reefs can provide significant environmental benefits, including natural water filtration and habitat for native species. The study found that just 7 square meters of a Hong Kong oyster reef can filter up to one Olympic swimming pool of water each day.
Researchers used satellite imagery to detect non-native Amur honeysuckle in urban parks and cemeteries, achieving 82% accuracy. The method provides a cost-effective solution for ecological restoration, allowing for targeted removal of invasive species.
The #HealthyRecovery initiative calls on G20 Presidents and Prime Ministers to support projects enabling ecological restoration for improved air quality and soil health. Experts warn that global environmental and climate crises compromise human health and long-term survival.
The first issue of Restoration Ecology - Arid Lands (RE-AL) shares diverse voices from around the world focused on restoration in arid environments. Key findings include innovative technologies and best practices for practitioners in these ecosystems, addressing climate change and social importance.
A new Oregon State University-led study reveals that the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park has led to an increase in the height of willows in northern Yellowstone. The researchers found that a reduction in elk browsing over the last two decades allowed willows to grow taller, despite a warming and drying climate.
A recent commentary by restoration ecologist Karen Holl emphasizes the importance of careful planning and long-term management for tree-planting initiatives. She argues that planting trees alone is not a sufficient solution to combat climate change, but rather one piece of a broader strategy involving reduced fossil fuel emissions.
A new study comparing introduced herbivore species to those of the past reveals that these introductions have restored many important ecological traits that have been lost for thousands of years. Introduced megafauna are now ecologically similar to their extinct relatives, making the world more similar to its pre-extinction state.
Researchers find that introduced herbivores, like Escobar's hippos, restore important ecological traits lost due to human impacts. This is achieved through the introduction of species that share traits with extinct ones, such as giant llamas and semiaquatic habitats.
Researchers analyzed data to determine the feasibility of using nature-based solutions to combat air pollution. The study found that NBS can support native wildlife and are adaptable, cost-effective, and a truly green solution in reducing pollution and climate change.
A collaborative study between University of Montana and Universidad de Concepcion in Chile found substantial gaps in scientific information relevant to conservation planning for threatened and endangered terrestrial mammals. The research highlights the importance of developing strategic research agendas for at-risk species worldwide.
Researchers from NIOO-KNAW suggest a different approach to lake restoration by identifying four types of lakes based on spatial differences. Flushing with clean water may not be effective in all lake types, while reducing nutrient supply is key to permanent recovery.
A new study finds that Mississippi River diversions lead to more land loss rather than gain due to increased nutrient availability and flooding. The research suggests that the $5 billion planned future diversions may do more harm than good through unintended consequences.
A recent study highlights the crucial role of indigenous knowledge in restoring degraded ecosystems. Indigenous communities have contributed significantly to ecological restoration through traditional practices such as anthropogenic burning and rotational swidden cultivation systems, resulting in highly biodiverse ecosystems.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) donated $17,500 to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana to offset environmental costs from its 2018 Annual Meeting. The donation will help the organization further its commitment to coastal restoration and wetland preservation in the Gulf Coast region.
Research suggests that reintroducing grey wolves to Scotland via large fenced reserves can effectively control high red deer populations, allowing for ecological restoration. The study proposes a barrier capable of retaining 75% of dispersing wolves within the reserve to facilitate rapid wolf population growth and reduced deer numbers.
The article explores the potential applications of ecological restoration to medicine, highlighting the importance of gut microbiota diversity for overall health. By integrating ecology and medicine, researchers can develop more effective treatments for chronic diseases such as obesity and autoimmune disorders.
An OSU biologist argues that chronic diseases require a restoration ecology approach, similar to natural habitats. By removing unhealthy diets and promoting symbiotic gut microbes, patients can improve their health. The study's findings highlight the importance of personalized medicine and active interventions in treating chronic disease.
The article explores four key strategies to prevent environmental generational amnesia, which can accelerate environmental degradation. Coral reef restoration is also discussed, highlighting the importance of herbivory, reducing coral predation, and promoting algae-farming fishes. Additionally, passive acoustic monitoring in freshwater...
Research finds that coastal stream restoration projects are unevenly distributed across central California, favoring areas with more affluent residents. The study analyzed 699 sites of publicly funded restoration projects between Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara counties, identifying native fish presence as the primary ecological driver an...
Researchers advocate for harnessing dynamic ecological forces to facilitate coral reef ecosystem recovery. By controlling factors like coral density and site selection, restoration practitioners can maximize growth rates and minimize mortality, promoting positive feedback processes.
Natural regeneration outperforms active restoration methods for biodiversity and vegetation structure recovery by 34-56% in tropical forests. The study controlled for key factors like forest amount, precipitation, and past disturbance to ensure accurate results.
A team of researchers found a 176% increase in aboveground biomass within the 3-hectare area studied, with the orange peels enriching the soil's nutrients and promoting tree growth. The study demonstrates the unique power of agricultural waste to regenerate forests and sequester carbon at no cost.
Researchers warn of potential pitfalls in urban green space management, including the risk of creating ecological traps that lack native species support. Urban green spaces will still play a vital role in promoting healthy ecosystems and connecting citizens with nature.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new method to monitor soil microbes, which could boost the success of ecological restoration projects. By analyzing the DNA of bacteria in soil samples, scientists found that native plant revegetation can restore a natural state to cleared land just eight years after implementa...
A new paper by UC Santa Barbara researchers recommends several ways to make ecological de-extinction more successful. They suggest resurrecting recently extinct species that fit seamlessly into their ecosystems, choosing animals with irreplaceable ecological jobs, and restoring species to functional abundance levels.
A joint North European and North American study highlights the importance of continuous evaluations in ecological restoration projects. The researchers emphasize the need for documenting experiences, conclusions, and lessons learned to improve future projects.
Researchers aim to restore streams to their natural state with minimal cost and time investment. They will examine various restoration methods and sites to determine which techniques work best to achieve ecological benefits.