scholarly journals An objective-based prioritization approach to improve trophic complexity through ecological restoration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Ladouceur ◽  
Jennifer McGowan ◽  
Patrick Huber ◽  
Hugh Possingham ◽  
Davide Scridel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
List Type ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Random Draw ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractReassembling ecological communities and rebuilding habitats through active restoration treatments requires curating the selection of plant species to use in seeding and planting mixes. Ideally, these mixes should be assembled based on attributes that support ecosystem function and services, promote plant and animal species interactions and ecological networks in restoration while balancing project constraints. Despite these critical considerations, it is common for species mixes to be selected opportunistically. Reframing the selection of seed mixes for restoration around ecological objectives is essential for success but accessible methods and tools are needed to support this effort.We developed a framework to optimize species seed mixes based on prioritizing plant species attributes to best support different objectives for ecosystem functions, services, and trophic relationships such as pollination, seed dispersal, and herbivory. We compared results to approaches where plant species are selected to represent plant taxonomic richness, dominant species, and at random. We tested our framework for 176 plant species found in European alpine grasslands and identified 163 associated attributes affiliated to trophic relationships, ecosystem functions, and services.In all cases, trophic relationships, ecosystem functions, and services can be captured more efficiently through objective-based prioritization using the functional identity of plant species. Solutions (plant species lists) can be compared quantitatively, in terms of costs, species, or objectives. We confirm that a random draw of plant species from the regional plant species pool cannot be assumed to support other trophic groups and ecosystem functions and services.Synthesis and Applications. Our framework is presented as a proof of concept to help restoration practitioners better apply quantitative decision–support to plant species selection in order to meet ecological restoration outcomes. Our approach may be tailored to any restoration initiative and habitat where seeding or planting mixes will be applied in active treatments. As global priority and resources are increasingly placed into restoration, this approach could be advanced to help make efficient decisions for many stages of the restoration process.

scholarly journals Restoration ecologists might not get what they want: Global change shifts trade-offs among ecosystem functions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Fiedler ◽  
José A.F. Monteiro ◽  
Kristin B. Hulvey ◽  
Rachel J. Standish ◽  
Michael P. Perring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
List Type ◽  
Trade Offs

ABSTRACTEcological restoration increasingly aims at improving ecosystem multifunctionality and making landscapes resilient to future threats, especially in biodiversity hotspots such as Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Successful realisation of such a strategy requires a fundamental mechanistic understanding of the link between ecosystem plant composition, plant traits and related ecosystem functions and services, as well as how climate change affects these relationships. An integrated approach of empirical research and simulation modelling with focus on plant traits can allow this understanding.Based on empirical data from a large-scale restoration project in a Mediterranean-type climate in Western Australia, we developed and validated the spatially explicit simulation model ModEST, which calculates coupled dynamics of nutrients, water and individual plants characterised by traits. We then simulated all possible combinations of eight plant species with different levels of diversity to assess the role of plant diversity and traits on multifunctionality, the provision of six ecosystem functions (covering three ecosystem services), as well as trade-offs and synergies among the functions under current and future climatic conditions.Our results show that multifunctionality cannot fully be achieved because of trade-offs among functions that are attributable to sets of traits that affect functions differently. Our measure of multifunctionality was increased by higher levels of planted species richness under current, but not future climatic conditions. In contrast, single functions were differently impacted by increased plant diversity. In addition, we found that trade-offs and synergies among functions shifted with climate change.Synthesis and application. Our results imply that restoration ecologists will face a clear challenge to achieve their targets with respect to multifunctionality not only under current conditions, but also in the long-term. However, once ModEST is parameterized and validated for a specific restoration site, managers can assess which target goals can be achieved given the set of available plant species and site-specific conditions. It can also highlight which species combinations can best achieve long-term improved multifunctionality due to their trait diversity.

scholarly journals Experimental evidence of the importance of multitrophic structure for species persistence

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (12) ◽  
pp. e2023872118
Author(s):  
Ignasi Bartomeus ◽  
Serguei Saavedra ◽  
Rudolf P. Rohr ◽  
Oscar Godoy
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Mathematical Approach ◽  
Species Persistence ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Ecological theory predicts that species interactions embedded in multitrophic networks shape the opportunities for species to persist. However, the lack of experimental support of this prediction has limited our understanding of how species interactions occurring within and across trophic levels simultaneously regulate the maintenance of biodiversity. Here, we integrate a mathematical approach and detailed experiments in plant–pollinator communities to demonstrate the need to jointly account for species interactions within and across trophic levels when estimating the ability of species to persist. Within the plant trophic level, we show that the persistence probability of plant species increases when introducing the effects of plant–pollinator interactions. Across trophic levels, we show that the persistence probabilities of both plants and pollinators exhibit idiosyncratic changes when experimentally manipulating the multitrophic structure. Importantly, these idiosyncratic effects are not recovered by traditional simulations. Our work provides tractable experimental and theoretical platforms upon which it is possible to investigate the multitrophic factors affecting species persistence in ecological communities.

scholarly journals Cooling Performances on Rainless Days of Extensive Green Roofs Planted with Different Ornamental Species

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-474
Author(s):  
Yann-Jou Lin ◽  
Ai-Tsen Su ◽  
Bau-Show Lin
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Extensive Green Roofs ◽  
Selection Of

This study investigated the cooling performances of extensive green roofs (EGRs) planted with 12 ornamental plants on rainless days in a subtropical city for 1 year. Imitating the construction of an EGR, 48 modules were constructed and each module was planted as a monoculture with 100 plants each. Plant growth and greening performance were measured every 2 weeks. Temperatures, solar radiation intensities, and substrate water contents were measured continuously and recorded every 5 minutes. The analyzed results showed that both plant species selection and seasonal variation had a significant impact on the noontime cooling benefit. The modules planted with taller plants, more extensive plant cover, higher albedo, and greater canopy volume had a greater noontime cooling benefit. As the seasons changed, the albedo and canopy volume of the modules were primarily responsible for differences in the noontime cooling benefit provided by the different plant species. Over an entire year of observation, the results of this research could inform the selection of plant species by landscape designers for EGRs with the aim of providing greater cooling benefits and aesthetic quality overall four seasons.

scholarly journals Plant species selection by free-ranging cattle in southern Bolivian tropical montane forests

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 583-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svenja Marquardt ◽  
Stephan G. Beck ◽  
Felix D. Encinas ◽  
Humberto Alzérreca A. ◽  
Michael Kreuzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Plant Selection ◽  
Montane Forests ◽  
Tropical Montane Forests ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract:The frequency of selection of functional groups and plant species by free-ranging cattle foraging in a diverse environment and its changes during the dry and the following prehumid seasons were investigated using direct observations and bite counting. The study was conducted at two sites in the Bolivian–Tucuman montane forests in southern Bolivia, by including datasets of a total of 16 animals. Across both study sites and the entire observation period (May to October/November), the cattle were found to select a broad spectrum of plant species from different functional groups. However, just a limited number of species made up a considerable contribution to overall plant selection. The functional group of the graminoids was selected most frequently, but their contribution to plant selection decreased significantly from 63.5% of total bites in May to 15.9% in September/October, in accordance with a decrease in availability. Selection of woody plants (shrubs and tree parts, the latter mainly in the form of leaf litter and fruits) increased with time, reaching its peak at the beginning of the prehumid season, while the herbs showed a curvilinear pattern of selection which was highest in August. Plant species belonging to the functional groups of ferns, climbers and epiphytes were also selected by the cattle, but generally at low relative proportions. Plant selection might be influenced by temporal differences in nutritional quality and availability of the preferred plant species and functional groups. Sampling behaviour seems to be the most likely reason for the inclusion of a broad range of plant species with overall low contribution to plant selection.

scholarly journals Functional Trait-Based Screening of Zn-Pb Tolerant Wild Plant Species at an Abandoned Mine Site in Gard (France) for Rehabilitation of Mediterranean Metal-Contaminated Soils

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5506
Author(s):  
Isabelle Laffont-Schwob ◽  
Jacques Rabier ◽  
Véronique Masotti ◽  
Hélène Folzer ◽  
Lorène Tosini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Metal Content ◽  
Metal Removal ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Plantago Lanceolata ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Mine Site ◽  
Wild Plant Species

The selection of plant species at mine sites is mostly based on metal content in plant parts. Recent works have proposed referring to certain ecological aspects. However, plant traits for plant metal-tolerance still need to be accurately assessed in the field. An abandoned Zn-Pb mine site in Gard (France) offered the opportunity to test a set of ecological criteria. The diversity of micro-habitats was first recorded through floristic relevés and selected categorical and measured plant traits were compared for plant species selection. The floristic composition of the study site consisted in 61 plant species from 31 plant families. This approach enabled us to focus on seven wild plant species naturally growing at the mining site. Their ability to form root symbioses was then observed with a view to phytostabilization management. Four species were considered for phytoextraction: Noccaea caerulescens (J. et C. Presl) FK Meyer, Biscutella laevigata L., Armeria arenaria (Pers.) Schult. and Plantago lanceolata L. The metal content of their aerial and root parts was then determined and compared with that of soil samples collected at the same site. This general approach may lead to the development of a knowledge base for assessment of the ecological restoration trajectory of the site and can help in plant selection for remediation of other metal-rich soils in the Mediterranean area based not only on metal removal but on ecological restoration principles.

Presence of invasive Gambusia alters ecological communities and the functions they perform in lentic ecosystems

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Hinchliffe ◽  
Trisha Atwood ◽  
Quinn Ollivier ◽  
Edd Hammill
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Selective Predation

By acting as novel competitors and predators, a single invasive species can detrimentally affect multiple native species in different trophic levels. Although quantifying invasive effects through single-species interactions is important, understanding their effect on ecosystems as a whole is vital to enable effective protection and management. This is particularly true in freshwater ecosystems, where invasive species constitute the single greatest threat to biodiversity. Poeciliid fishes of the genus Gambusia are among the most widespread invasive species on earth. In the present study of lentic ecosystems (i.e. lakes), we first showed that Gambusia alter zooplankton community composition and size distribution, likely through size-selective predation. Second, we demonstrate that benthic macroinvertebrate communities significantly differ between sites with and without invasive Gambusia. The presence of Gambusia appears to reduce leaf-litter decomposition rates, which is likely an indirect effect of reductions in detritivore abundances. Reductions in decomposition rates found in the present study suggest that through trophic cascades, invasive Gambusia is able to indirectly alter ecosystem functions. The study has highlighted that the widespread effects of invasive aquatic species are able to permeate through entire ecosystems, being more pervasive than previously recognised.

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