scholarly journals Inclusion of Intra- and Interspecific Facilitation Expands the Theoretical Framework for Seagrass Restoration

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Stacy Zhang ◽  
Rachel K. Gittman ◽  
Sarah E. Donaher ◽  
Stacy N. Trackenberg ◽  
T. van der Heide ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Interspecific Facilitation ◽  
Restoration Strategies

Restoration is increasingly utilized as a strategy to stymie the loss of coastal habitats. Coastal habitat restoration has predominantly emphasized designs that minimize physical stress and competition. As evidence of the pervasiveness of this approach, we conducted a global survey of seagrass restorationers and found a strong affinity for stress-avoidant designs with adult shoots in dispersed rather than aggregated configurations. To test the alternative hypothesis that including positive interactions can enhance restoration success, we experimentally incorporated: (i) interspecific facilitation (clam additions) into seed sowing, and (ii) both intra- and interspecific facilitation (planting a single-large versus multiple-small patches and adding clams) into shoot planting. Clam additions to seeds significantly enhanced plant biomass and patch size; and nutrient analysis suggested the causative mechanism was clam enhancement of available nitrogen. In contrast, adult outplant growth was enhanced by intra- but not inter-specific facilitation. Dispersed configurations consistently declined, whereas large-intact patches, which had the same initial biomass as dispersed plots, increased in patch area and doubled in shoot density. These results demonstrate that expanding restoration strategies to include positive interactions with respect to seagrass ontogeny has the capability to switch the trajectory of restoration from failure to success.

Biology, Management, and Protection of North American Sturgeon

2002 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Elasticity Analysis ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Significant Negative Impact ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Restoration Strategies

Abstract.— We use elasticity analyses for three sturgeon species, the shortnose sturgeon <em>Acipenser brevirostrum</em>, Atlantic sturgeon <em>A. oxyrinchus</em>, and white sturgeon <em>A. transmontanus</em>, to calculate the potential to increase population growth rate, λ, by improving survival and fecundity. Elasticity analysis is a means of assessing changes to λ resulting from conservation initiatives. The elasticity of λ to survival has a characteristic profile that includes a plateau of high elasticity values across the young of the year and the juvenile ages. However, survival elasticity falls at maturity and declines rapidly with increasing adult age. Changes to fecundity have relatively little impact; the total of the fecundity elasticities over all ages is equal to the single young-of-the-year survival elasticity. Even though the young-of-the-year survival elasticity is equal to that of any other juvenile age, the overall opportunity for affecting λ; is strongest in the young-of-the-year age-class because of its exceptional potential for increase to survival. The juvenile and adult stages have roughly equal total survival elasticities. These findings are particularly relevant in understanding the contributions of hatcheries, harvest regulations and habitat restoration as strategies for sturgeon conservation. Hatcheries are focused on the young of the year, the demographically most sensitive component of sturgeon life histories, and thus have the potential to make significant increases to λ if the genetic, evolutionary and ecological impacts of hatcheries can be controlled. Harvest, even at low levels, can have a significant negative impact on λ when it affects multiple age classes. Managers can use elasticity analysis to calculate the total impact of harvest and to mathematically evaluate the trade-off in exploiting young versus older individuals. Habitat restoration strategies, usually assessed in terms of survivals of the age classes impacted, would also benefit from using elasticity analysis to interpret their contributions to l. If restoration efforts target the survival of age classes with high elasticities, significant population growth may be achieved.

Coastal Habitat Restoration, Invasive Species and Remote Monitoring Solutions

2022 ◽  
pp. 160-176
Author(s):  
Sophie Walker ◽  
Nathan Waltham ◽  
Christina Buelow ◽  
Jordan Iles
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Remote Monitoring ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Coastal Habitat

scholarly journals A Global Synthesis Reveals Gaps in Coastal Habitat Restoration Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
William Cioffi ◽  
Rebecca Cope ◽  
Pedro Daleo ◽  
Eleanor Heywood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Coastal Ecosystems ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Coastal Restoration ◽  
Vote Count ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

Coastal ecosystems have drastically declined in coverage and condition across the globe. To combat these losses, marine conservation has recently employed habitat restoration as a strategy to enhance depleted coastal ecosystems. For restoration to be a successful enterprise, however, it is necessary to identify and address potential knowledge gaps and review whether the field has tracked scientific advances regarding best practices. This enables managers, researchers, and practitioners alike to more readily establish restoration priorities and goals. We synthesized the peer-reviewed, published literature on habitat restoration research in salt marshes, oyster reefs, and seagrasses to address three questions related to restoration efforts: (i) How frequent is cross-sector authorship in coastal restoration research? (ii) What is the geographic distribution of coastal restoration research? and (iii) Are abiotic and biotic factors equally emphasized in the literature, and how does this vary with time? Our vote-count survey indicated that one-third of the journal-published studies listed authors from at least two sectors, and 6% listed authors from all three sectors. Across all habitat types, there was a dearth of studies from Africa, Asia, and South America. Finally, despite many experimental studies demonstrating that species interactions can greatly affect the recovery and persistence of coastal foundation species, only one-fourth of the studies we examined discussed their effects on restoration. Combined, our results reveal gaps and discrepancies in restoration research that should be addressed in order to further propel coastal restoration science.

Are mangroves worth replanting? The direct economic benefits of a community-based reforestation project

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARK E.M. WALTON ◽  
GISELLE P.B. SAMONTE-TAN ◽  
JURGENNE H. PRIMAVERA ◽  
GARETH EDWARDS-JONES ◽  
LEWIS LE VAY
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Socioeconomic Impacts ◽  
Direct Benefits ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Associated Species

Competition for coastal land use and overexploitation have reduced or degraded mangrove coverage throughout much of their distribution, especially in South-east Asia. Timber production was the initial motivation for early mangrove reforestation projects. More recently, benefits from protection against erosion and extreme weather events and direct improvements in livelihoods and food security are perceived as justifications for such restoration efforts. This study examines the socioeconomic impacts of a community-led reforestation project in the Philippines through a survey of the local fishers. Revenues from mangrove fisheries, tourism and timber result in an annual benefit to the community of US$ 315 ha−1 yr−1. This figure is likely to be considerably more if the contribution of the mangrove to the coastal catch of mangrove-associated species is included. This estimate only includes direct benefits to the community from mangroves, and not intangible benefits such as coastal protection, which paradoxically is perceived by the community as one of the most important functions. More than 90% of all fishers, regardless of where they fished, thought the mangrove provided protection from storms and typhoons and acted as a nursery site and should be protected. Those fishing only in the mangrove perceived more benefits from the mangrove and were prepared to pay more to protect it than those fishing outside. This study concludes that replanting mangroves can have a significant economic impact on the lives of coastal communities. Acknowledgement of the value of replanted mangroves compared with other coastal activities and the benefits they bring to the more economically-vulnerable coastal dwellers should support better informed policy and decision-making with regard to coastal habitat restoration.

Using Applied Science for Effective Watershed Restoration and Coho Salmon Recovery in Coastal Oregon Streams

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily C. Wright ◽  
Jon A. Souder
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
New Era ◽  
Coos Bay ◽  
History Of ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Restoration Strategies ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

Coos Bay, located on the southern Oregon Coast, is the largest estuary between the Columbia River and San Francisco Bay. Palouse and Larson Creeks in the northern section of Coos Bay are the two most productive streams for coho salmon. Such productivity occurs despite the pressure salmon habitats have experienced through a long history of anthropogenic alterations, and continue to face from the region’s robust industrial economy, including recreational and commercial fisheries, agricultural production, and forestry. Restoration efforts since the 1980s have helped mitigate environmental impacts, but the turn of the century brought a new era of coordinated research, monitoring, and restoration. Forming a multi-stakeholder partnership with the goal of restoring salmon runs, the local nonprofitnon-profit Coos Watershed Association and its partners worked together to learn about the strategies that coho use to survive in these altered landscapes and apply research findings to restore habitats. Specifically, they examined the most appropriate habitat restoration strategies for various life histories of coho salmon, while working within social and political constraints. As a result, these efforts over the past 35 years have led to a better understanding of salmon populations in Palouse and Larson Creeks and an effective restoration program that continues till today.

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