Augmentative Restoration: Repairing Damaged Ecological Processes During Restoration of Heterogeneous Environments

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger L. Sheley ◽  
Jeremy J. James ◽  
Erin C. Bard
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Additional Advantage ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ephemeral Wetland ◽  
Species Performance

AbstractHeterogeneity in disturbance regimes, propagule pools, and factors affecting plant performance are a ubiquitous feature of wildlands. We tested a conceptual framework, termed augmentative restoration, aimed at identifying and selectively repairing or replacing damaged processes based on their predicted influence on the three causes of succession: site availability, species availability, and species performance. This framework was tested at three sites each with a different cause of succession naturally occurring in an ephemeral wetland dominated by invasive plants that had varying levels of disturbance (site availability), remnant native plants (species availability), and water availability (species performance). Our hypotheses were (1) seeding combined with watering would augment meadow vole disturbance to increase desired species composition, (2) shallow tilling combined with watering would augment remnant native species, and (3) shallow tilling combined with seeding would augment mesic soils to increase desired species composition. Shallow tilling, watering, and seeding were applied in a factorial arrangement at all three sites. These eight treatment combinations were applied in a split-plot design with four replications to generate 32 whole plots (2 m2). The herbicide 2,4-D was applied on half of each whole plot to influence relative species performance. In two of the three sites, using augmentative restoration to guide our management approaches improved our decision as to the treatment combinations that would maximize seedling establishment. Selectively augmenting successional processes that remain intact by repairing or replacing processes occurring at inadequate levels can improve implementation of successional management and provide a refined process-based framework for restoration across heterogeneous landscapes. Besides the clear economic advantages of lower management inputs associated with augmentative restoration, avoiding unnecessary management inputs has the additional advantage of minimizing unintended negative impacts on ecosystem processes.

Weed Succession under Conservation Tillage: A Hierarchical Framework for Research and Management

1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarence J. Swanton ◽  
David R. Clements ◽  
Douglas A. Derksen
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Succession Management ◽  
Hierarchical Framework ◽  
Species Performance

The awareness and adoption of conservation tillage is one of the most important changes taking place in agriculture today. There are, however, concerns regarding weed species shifts under conservation tillage. Under conservation tillage, shifts toward grass, perennial, wind-disseminated weeds and volunteer crop plants have been observed. Shifts in weed species composition may either represent long-term ecological succession or temporary fluctuations in species composition; few long-term studies have examined the ecology of these shifts in detail. Further studies are needed to identify mechanisms driving these shifts to determine whether they are fluctuational or successional and to develop more sophisticated management strategies. In this paper, we present a research approach for studying ecological processes such as competition within a hierarchical framework of all possible causes, processes, and defining factors related to weed succession under conservation tillage. Succession management strategies can be developed to act at the causal level in the successional hierarchy. Three primary causes are site availability, colonization, and species performance. Site availability may be controlled through “designed disturbance”, while differential species availability may be regulated through “controlled colonization” and species performance may be regulated through “controlled species performance”. In general, the goals of succession management would involve reducing populations of the weed species most likely to proliferate under conservation tillage. Comprehensive ecological research, within the hierarchical framework outlined here, would identify potential problems and enable management strategies to account for the numerous factors that may be influencing fluctuations and succession of weeds under conservation tillage.

scholarly journals Diet composition of the invasive red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus in Mauritius

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannie Fries Linnebjerg ◽  
Dennis M. Hansen ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Jens M. Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Ecological Perspective ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Invasional Meltdown ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Successful Establishment ◽  
The Impact

Disruption of ecosystems is one of the biggest threats posed by invasive species (Mack et al. 2000). Thus, one of the most important challenges is to understand the impact of exotic species on native species and habitats (e.g. Jones 2008). The probability that entire ‘invasive communities’ will develop increases as more species establish in new areas (Bourgeois et al. 2005). For example, introduced species may act in concert, facilitating one another's invasion, and increasing the likelihood of successful establishment, spread and impact. Simberloff & Von Holle (1999) introduced the term ‘invasional meltdown’ for this process, which has received widespread attention since (e.g. O'Dowd 2003, Richardson et al. 2000, Simberloff 2006). Positive interactions among introduced species are relatively common, but few have been studied in detail (Traveset & Richardson 2006). Examples include introduced insects and birds that pollinate and disperse exotic plants, thereby facilitating the spread of these species into non-invaded habitats (Goulson 2003, Mandon-Dalger et al. 2004, Simberloff & Von Holle 1999). From a more general ecological perspective, the study of interactions involving introduced and invasive species can contribute to our knowledge of ecological processes – for example, community assembly and indirect interactions.

Future Directions in Instrumentation, Control and Automation in the Water and Wastewater Industry

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy D. Vassos
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Water And Wastewater

The need to optimize treatment plant performance and to meet increasingly stringent effluent criteria are two key factors affecting future development of instrumentation, control and automation (ICA) applications in the water and wastewater industry. Two case studies are presented which highlight the need for dynamic modelling and simulation software to assist operations staff in developing effective instrumentation control strategies, and to provide a training environment for the evaluation of such strategies. One of the limiting factors to date in realizing the potential benefits of ICA has been the inability to adequately interpret the large number of existing instrumentation inputs available at treatment facilities. The number of inputs can exceed the number of control loops by up to three orders of magnitude. The integration of dynamic modelling and expert system software is seen to facilitate the interpretation of real-time data, allowing both quantitative (instrumented) and qualitative (operator input) information to be integrated for process control. Improvements in sensor reliability and performance, and the development of biological monitoring sensors and control algorithms are also discussed.

scholarly journals Preliminary Study of the Influence of Conductivity and Calcium Concentrations on the Density and Species Richness of Native and Invasive Gastropods in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 46-49
Author(s):  
Michele Larson ◽  
Gary Beauvais
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Native Community ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Freshwater Gastropods ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Primary Producer ◽  
Preliminary Study

Freshwater gastropods are a diverse taxa that inhabit a wide variety of freshwater habitats (Lydeard et al. 2004, Strong et al. 2008). Freshwater gastropods often form narrow endemic ranges (Strong et al. 2008) with many species restricted to a single drainage or an isolated spring (Brown et al. 2008). In North America, over 60% of freshwater snails are listed as imperiled or presumed extinct (Lysne et al. 2008). The main factors for the reduction in snail biodiversity are habitat loss, water pollution, and the introduction of invasive species (Strong et al. 2008). Invasive species can dramatically alter the native community by reducing biodiversity and changing ecological processes (Alonso and Castro-Diez 2008). The effects of invasive species on aquatic ecosystems are often permanent and lead to reductions in biodiversity due to predation and competition with native species (Alonso and Castro-Diez 2008, Lysne et al. 2008, Strayer 1999). Invasive gastropods impact native ecosystems by altering carbon and nitrogen levels (Hall et al. 2003, Arango et al. 2009), consuming large amounts of primary producer biomass (Hall et al. 2003, Riley et al. 2008, Strayer 2010), and changing native macroinvertebrate community composition (Kerans et al. 2005, Riley et al. 2008, Cross et al. 2010, Brenneis et al. 2011).

scholarly journals Artificial Perches for Birds in Deforested Areas Favour a Seed Rain Similar to Woodland Remnants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Yamile Guidetti ◽  
Sebastian Dardanelli ◽  
Fátima María Lourdes Miño ◽  
Guillermo César Amico
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Ecosystem Resilience ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Plant Seeds ◽  
Recovery Mechanisms ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Abstract The lack of seeds represents one of the highest difficulties to overcome for the ecological restoration of areas that have been deforested. This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial perches in increasing the abundance and species richness of bird-dispersed seeds and the similitude of seed rain composition (origin and habit of plant seeds), of deforested areas with and without artificial perches in relation to woodland remnants that serve as seeds source. The experiment took place in two sites of the Espinal ecoregion, Argentina. We found that in deforested areas, perches increased seed abundance and species richness in the seed rain in comparison with deforested areas without artificial perches. The species composition under artificial perches was similar to the seed rain dispersed in the woodland. However, a decrease in the richness of native species was significant in the deforested area, probably due to behavioral differences between opportunistic and obligate frugivorous. Seed of trees and shrubs species were well represented in the seed rain under artificial perches. Results from this study contribute to the understanding of nucleation and recovery mechanisms used by nature that reflect ecosystem resilience. We recommend using artificial perches in deforested areas with potential for recovery because it is an efficient technique to promote the entry of birds and increase seed rain, preserving features of the original environment. However, using artificial perches should be avoided in sites with potentially invasive non-native species.

Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregg Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Coptotermes Formosanus ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Port Cities ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Termite Control ◽  
Exotic Pests ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The 1960S

Abstract C. formosanus is often transported by boats and shipping containers to port cities before being carried further inland via landscape materials such as railroad ties (railway sleepers). This may explain the current C. formosanus distribution in the USA with coastal areas more densely infested than inland areas (Hochmair and Scheffrahn, 2010). Temperature and humidity are primary factors affecting the establishment of C. formosanus, and it is potentially invasive to areas of high humidity approximately 35° north and south of the equator (Su and Tamashiro, 1987). Competition from native species is another limiting factor for many exotic pests, but C. formosanus is more aggressive and is known to out-compete the endemic termites such as Reticulitermes species. Another factor that has allowed the successful establishment and spread of C. formosanus in exotic areas has been the pest control industry's heavy reliance on soil termiticide barriers for subterranean termite control since the 1950s. Numerous studies, using mark-recapture methods, have revealed that a single colony of C. formosanus might contain several million termites that forage up to 100 m in the soil (Lai, 1977; Su and Scheffrahn, 1988). These agree with the results of excavation studies for C. formosanus colonies (Ehrhorn, 1934; King and Spink, 1969). Because of the large colony size, the application of soil termiticides beneath a structure does not usually have a major impact on the overall population, and the surviving colony continues to produce alates that can further infest nearby areas. Once established, C. formosanus has never been completely eradicated from an area. The dependency of soil termiticide barriers as the primary tool for subterranean termite control is probably the main reason for the establishment and spread of C. formosanus from four isolated port cities in the 1960s in the USA to all south-eastern states by 2001.

Biofilm characterization of several wastewater treatment plants with rotating biological contactors in Madrid (Spain)

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 215-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Pérez-Uz ◽  
C. Franco ◽  
M. Martín-Cereceda ◽  
L. Arregui ◽  
I. Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Ciliate Species ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Rotating Biological Contactors ◽  
One Year

Ciliate communities were studied in the biofilms of three plants with rotating biological contactors (RBCs) over the period of one year. The aims of this study were: (i) to characterize ciliates to species level; (ii) to determine their abundance and spatial variation through the biological system; and (iii) to relate the spatial segregation and richness of ciliate species to plant performance. A number of species ranging from 33 to 67 were identified at the different plants. The overall best represented groups were peritrichs followed by scuticociliates (Las Matas), cyrtophorids (Boadilla) or hypotrichs (Camarma). Comparison of RBCs and activated sludge communities indicated that even though both were mainly constituted by peritrichs, differences in groups and species composition were observed.

scholarly journals Ichthyological Differentiation and Homogenization in the Pánuco Basin, Mexico

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norma Martínez-Lendech ◽  
Ana P. Martínez-Falcón ◽  
Juan Jacobo Schmitter-Soto ◽  
Humberto Mejía-Mojica ◽  
Valentino Sorani-Dalbón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Ecosystem Change ◽  
Species Introductions ◽  
Fish Collection ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Independent Species ◽  
Over Time

Species introductions and extirpations are key aspects of aquatic ecosystem change that need to be examined at large geographic and temporal scales. The Pánuco Basin (Eastern Mexico) has high ichthyological diversity and ecological heterogeneity. However, freshwater fish (FWF) introductions and extirpations since the mid-1900s have modified species range and distribution. We examine changes in FWF species composition in and among four sub-basins of the Pánuco by comparing fish collection records pre-1980 to 2018. Currently, the FWF of the Pánuco includes 95 species. Fishes in the Poeciliidae, Cyprinidae, and Cichlidae, respectively, comprised most records over time. Significant differences in species composition were found between the first (pre-1980) and last (2011–2018) study periods, but not for periods in-between. Eight independent species groups were key for explaining changes in Pánuco river ichthyofauna; one group was dominated by invasive species, and saw increases in the number of records across study periods (faunal homogenization). Another group was formed by species with conservation concern with a declining number of records over time. Thirteen (2 native and 11 non-native) species were responsible for temporal turnover. These results strongly suggest high rates of differentiation over time (via native species loss) following widespread non-native species introductions.

scholarly journals A handbook for the standardised sampling of plant functional traits in disturbance-prone ecosystems, with a focus on open ecosystems

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
B. J. Wigley ◽  
T. Charles-Dominique ◽  
G. P. Hempson ◽  
N. Stevens ◽  
M. TeBeest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Traits ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Plant Functional Traits ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Environmental Filters ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Plant Life ◽  
Species Performance

Plant functional traits provide a valuable tool to improve our understanding of ecological processes at a range of scales. Previous handbooks on plant functional traits have highlighted the importance of standardising measurements of traits to improve our understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes. In open ecosystems (i.e. grasslands, savannas, open woodlands and shrublands), traits related to disturbance (e.g. herbivory, drought, and fire) play a central role in explaining species performance and distributions and are the focus of this handbook. We provide brief descriptions of 34 traits and list important environmental filters and their relevance, provide detailed sampling methodologies and outline potential pitfalls for each trait. We have grouped traits according to plant functional type (grasses, forbs and woody plants) and, because demographic stages may experience different selective pressures, we have separated traits according to the different plant life stages (seedlings saplings and adults). We have attempted to not include traits that have been covered in previous handbooks except for where updates or additional information was considered beneficial.

The loss of native terrestrial small mammals in large urban reserves in the Australian Capital Territory

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Buckmaster ◽  
W. S. Osborne ◽  
N. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Exotic Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Indirect Detection ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals

Urban development can alter species composition and diversity within an area through biotic homogenization, the introduction of exotic species, and localized extinctions of native species. In this study we examined the composition and diversity of small terrestrial mammals within nature reserves surrounded by urban landscapes and compared this with previous surveys of these reserves and nearby non-urban reserves with similar vegetative and geomorphological characteristics. A combination of live trapping and indirect detection techniques was employed in eight reserves in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding New South Wales to determine current species composition. Compared with previous studies and the non-urban reserves, the urban reserves appear to have lost two-thirds of their native terrestrial small mammal species in the past 26 years. Exotic species were present in all urban reserves, but were only associated with areas characterized by human-induced disturbance in non-urban reserves. Possible causes of this disparity in native species diversity between urban and non-urban reserves are discussed.

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