scholarly journals Rewilding with invertebrates and microbes to restore ecosystems: present trends and future directions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Contos ◽  
Jennifer Wood ◽  
Nicholas Murphy ◽  
Heloise Gibb
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Function ◽  
Restoration Ecology ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Ecosystem Processes ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Community Restoration

1. Restoration ecology has historically focused on reconstructing communities of highly visible taxa whilst less visible taxa, such as invertebrates and microbes, are ignored. This is problematic as invertebrates and microbes make up the vast bulk of biodiversity and drive many key ecosystem processes, yet they are rarely actively reintroduced following restoration, potentially limiting ecosystem function and biodiversity in these areas. 2. In this review, we discuss the current (limited) incorporation of invertebrates and microbes in restoration and rewilding projects. We argue that these groups should be actively rewilded during restoration to improve biodiversity and ecosystem function outcomes and highlight how they can be used to greater effect in the future. For example, invertebrates and microbes are easily manipulated, meaning whole communities can potentially be rewilded through habitat transplants in a practice that we refer to as “whole-of-community” rewilding. 3. We provide a framework for whole-of-community rewilding and describe empirical case studies as practical applications of this under-researched restoration tool that land managers can use to improve restoration outcomes. 4. We hope this new perspective on whole-of-community restoration will promote applied research into restoration that incorporates all biota, irrespective of size, whilst also enabling a better understanding of fundamental ecological theory, such as colonisation- competition trade-offs. This may be a necessary consideration as invertebrates that are important in providing ecosystem services are declining globally; targeting invertebrate communities during restoration may be crucial in stemming this decline.

scholarly journals Perspectives on the 2 × 2 Matrix: Solving Semantically Distinct Problems Based on a Shared Structure of Binary Contingencies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansjörg Neth ◽  
Nico Gradwohl ◽  
Dirk Streeb ◽  
Daniel A. Keim ◽  
Wolfgang Gaissmaier
Keyword(s):  
Practical Applications ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Generic Tasks ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Explanatory Mechanism ◽  
Shared Structure ◽  
Frequency Counts ◽  
Semantic Domains

Cognition is both empowered and limited by representations. The matrix lens model explicates tasks that are based on frequency counts, conditional probabilities, and binary contingencies in a general fashion. Based on a structural analysis of such tasks, the model links several problems and semantic domains and provides a new perspective on representational accounts of cognition that recognizes representational isomorphs as opportunities, rather than as problems. The shared structural construct of a 2 × 2 matrix supports a set of generic tasks and semantic mappings that provide a unifying framework for understanding problems and defining scientific measures. Our model's key explanatory mechanism is the adoption of particular perspectives on a 2 × 2 matrix that categorizes the frequency counts of cases by some condition, treatment, risk, or outcome factor. By the selective steps of filtering, framing, and focusing on specific aspects, the measures used in various semantic domains negotiate distinct trade-offs between abstraction and specialization. As a consequence, the transparent communication of such measures must explicate the perspectives encapsulated in their derivation. To demonstrate the explanatory scope of our model, we use it to clarify theoretical debates on biases and facilitation effects in Bayesian reasoning and to integrate the scientific measures from various semantic domains within a unifying framework. A better understanding of problem structures, representational transparency, and the role of perspectives in the scientific process yields both theoretical insights and practical applications.

Microbial Contributions to Biodiversity in Deserts

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Groffman ◽  
Moshe Shachak
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Function ◽  
Ecosystem Processes ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Air Chemistry ◽  
Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function ◽  
American Society ◽  
American Society For Microbiology

The number of species living in the soil may well represent the largest reservoir of biodiversity on earth (Giller 1996, Wardle and Giller 1996, Service 1997). Five thousand microbial species have been described and identified (Amann and Kuhl 1998), but the actual number of species may be greater than 1 million (American Society for Microbiology 1994), larger even than the number of insect species (Service 1997). Over the last 10 to 15 years, interest in soil biodiversity has soared, driven by advances in molecular techniques that allow for identification and analysis of soil microbes, many of which are difficult to extract and culture (Kennedy and Gewin 1997). However, the factors that control soil microbial biodiversity and the links between soil biodiversity and ecosystem function are still unclear (Beare et al. 1995, Schimel 1995, Freckman et al. 1997, Brussard et al. 1997, Wall and Moore 1999). Soil may represent an excellent venue for exploring links between biodiversity and ecosystem function. The vast numbers of species in soil and methodological problems have long necessitated a functional approach in soil studies. As a result, soil functions important to organic matter degradation, nutrient cycling, water quality, and air chemistry are well studied (Groffman and Bohlen 1999). As our knowledge of soil biodiversity increases, this information may provide a strong basis for evaluating links between biodiversity and these functions. Evaluating functional diversity of soil communities requires considering how microbes interact with plants and soil fauna to produce patterns of ecosystem processes (Wall and Moore 1999). These interactions vary within and between ecosystems (i.e., across landscapes). Throughout this book, we suggest that the science of biodiversity must consider links to ecosystem processes and interactions with landscape diversity (Shachak et al. this volume). The need for these links is particularly clear when considering soil biodiversity. There have been relatively few studies of microbial processes in desert soils, and very little analysis of desert soil biodiversity (Parker et al. 1984, Schlesinger et al. 1987, Peterjohn 1991, Fließbach et al. 1994, Zaady et al. 1996a,b, Steinberger et al. 1999).

Epilogue

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno and
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Multisensory Processing ◽  
Multisensory Perception ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
Multisensory Interactions ◽  
Contemporary Work ◽  
New Perspective

Multisensory interactions in perception are pervasive and fundamental, as we have documented throughout this book. In this final chapter, we propose that contemporary work on multisensory processing is a paradigm shift in perception science, calling for a radical reconsideration of empirical and theoretical questions within an entirely new perspective. In making our case, we emphasize that multisensory perception is the norm, not the exception, and we remark that multisensory interactions can occur early in sensory processing. We reiterate the key notions that multisensory interactions come in different kinds and that principles of multisensory processing must be considered when tackling multisensory daily-life problems. We discuss the role of unisensory processing in a multisensory world, and we conclude by suggesting future directions for the multisensory field.

scholarly journals Environmental and Social Risks to Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health—A Bottom-Up, Resource-Focused Assessment Framework

Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-456
Author(s):  
Roger A. Pielke ◽  
Jimmy Adegoke ◽  
Faisal Hossain ◽  
Dev Niyogi
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Function ◽  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Interactive System ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Social Risks ◽  
Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function

Risks from human intervention in the climate system are raising concerns with respect to individual species and ecosystem health and resiliency. A dominant approach uses global climate models to predict changes in climate in the coming decades and then to downscale this information to assess impacts to plant communities, animal habitats, agricultural and urban ecosystems, and other parts of the Earth’s life system. To achieve robust assessments of the threats to these systems in this top-down, outcome vulnerability approach, however, requires skillful prediction, and representation of changes in regional and local climate processes, which has not yet been satisfactorily achieved. Moreover, threats to biodiversity and ecosystem function, such as from invasive species, are in general, not adequately included in the assessments. We discuss a complementary assessment framework that builds on a bottom-up vulnerability concept that requires the determination of the major human and natural forcings on the environment including extreme events, and the interactions between these forcings. After these forcings and interactions are identified, then the relative risks of each issue can be compared with other risks or forcings in order to adopt optimal mitigation/adaptation strategies. This framework is a more inclusive way of assessing risks, including climate variability and longer-term natural and anthropogenic-driven change, than the outcome vulnerability approach which is mainly based on multi-decadal global and regional climate model predictions. We therefore conclude that the top-down approach alone is outmoded as it is inadequate for robustly assessing risks to biodiversity and ecosystem function. In contrast the bottom-up, integrative approach is feasible and much more in line with the needs of the assessment and conservation community. A key message of our paper is to emphasize the need to consider coupled feedbacks since the Earth is a dynamically interactive system. This should be done not just in the model structure, but also in its application and subsequent analyses. We recognize that the community is moving toward that goal and we urge an accelerated pace.

scholarly journals A Technical Study on UAV Characteristics for Precision Agriculture Applications and Associated Practical Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1204
Author(s):  
Nadia Delavarpour ◽  
Cengiz Koparan ◽  
John Nowatzki ◽  
Sreekala Bajwa ◽  
Xin Sun
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Radiometric Correction ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
The Past ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
Technical Study ◽  
Agricultural Operations

The incorporation of advanced technologies into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) platforms have enabled many practical applications in Precision Agriculture (PA) over the past decade. These PA tools offer capabilities that increase agricultural productivity and inputs’ efficiency and minimize operational costs simultaneously. However, these platforms also have some constraints that limit the application of UAVs in agricultural operations. The constraints include limitations in providing imagery of adequate spatial and temporal resolutions, dependency on weather conditions, and geometric and radiometric correction requirements. In this paper, a practical guide on technical characterizations of common types of UAVs used in PA is presented. This paper helps select the most suitable UAVs and on-board sensors for different agricultural operations by considering all the possible constraints. Over a hundred research studies were reviewed on UAVs applications in PA and practical challenges in monitoring and mapping field crops. We concluded by providing suggestions and future directions to overcome challenges in optimizing operational proficiency.

scholarly journals Solutions in microbiome engineering: prioritizing barriers to organism establishment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaeline B. N. Albright ◽  
Stilianos Louca ◽  
Daniel E. Winkler ◽  
Kelli L. Feeser ◽  
Sarah-Jane Haig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Ecosystem Function ◽  
Restoration Ecology ◽  
Propagule Pressure ◽  
Environmental Filtering ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Invasion Biology ◽  
Engineering Research

AbstractMicrobiome engineering is increasingly being employed as a solution to challenges in health, agriculture, and climate. Often manipulation involves inoculation of new microbes designed to improve function into a preexisting microbial community. Despite, increased efforts in microbiome engineering inoculants frequently fail to establish and/or confer long-lasting modifications on ecosystem function. We posit that one underlying cause of these shortfalls is the failure to consider barriers to organism establishment. This is a key challenge and focus of macroecology research, specifically invasion biology and restoration ecology. We adopt a framework from invasion biology that summarizes establishment barriers in three categories: (1) propagule pressure, (2) environmental filtering, and (3) biotic interactions factors. We suggest that biotic interactions is the most neglected factor in microbiome engineering research, and we recommend a number of actions to accelerate engineering solutions.

scholarly journals Microbes as Engines of Ecosystem Function: When Does Community Structure Enhance Predictions of Ecosystem Processes?

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily B. Graham ◽  
Joseph E. Knelman ◽  
Andreas Schindlbacher ◽  
Steven Siciliano ◽  
Marc Breulmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Ecosystem Function ◽  
Ecosystem Processes

scholarly journals SENYAWA PENCEMAR ORGANIK YANG PERSISTEN (POPs): PENGERTIAN, JENIS, KARAKTERISTIK, DAN PERKEMBANGANNYA DI INDONESIA

OSEANA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ita Wulandari ◽  
Dede Falahudin
Keyword(s):  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Persistent Organic Pollutants ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Indonesian Seas ◽  
National Implementation ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
Implementation Plans

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been identified as representing a serious threat to the marine environment and received formal attention by nations worldwide including Indonesia as one of the signatories and ratified countries for the Stockholm Convention.  Due to their emerging issues, the study of POPs at all aspects is needed. Therefore, this paper attempts to review characteristics and toxicological properties of POPs, the current status of POPs National Implementation Plans (NIPs) in Indonesia, and propose future directions of POPs study in Indonesia from basic research such as monitoring of POPs distribution in Indonesian seas to applied research for example study of POPs alternative compounds.

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