Soil Restoration Practices Effects on Priming Effect Intensity and Carbon Fluxes

BackgroundThe decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) is one of the most important processes influencing the global carbon (C) cycle, the physico-chemical characteristics of soils, the mineralization of nutrients for plant growth and soil food webs. Yet, priming effects are considered to be large enough to influence ecosystem carbon fluxes. Here we have tested the effects of soil restoration practices on priming effect and carbon fluxes.ResultOur results suggest that indirect effects are such as altered stabilization of older C associated with the increased inputs of fresh plant inputs (‘priming’) add uncertainty to the prediction of future soil C responses. Far ahead restoration influence the amount and composition of the decomposer organisms, including soil fauna, as well as the soil microbial community, by inducing up to more CO2 emission with fresh millet straw addition in fresh state than pre-decomposed one. Restoration had a very strong impact (increase by 22.7%) on basal soil organic matter mineralization but not on priming effect. The PE of non-restored site was lower than that of restored site by 14.9–22.7%; the lowest mineralization per unit carbon was recorded in the non-restored. Through the “4 per 1000” initiative, it has been very recently demonstrated that priming effect could have a noticeable impact on soil carbon sequestration. ConclusionWe have shown in our study that the degraded soil played a dominant positive role in the soil organic carbon mineralization. Our results provide solid evidence that SOC content plays a critical role in regulating apparent priming effects, with important implications for the improvement of C cycling models under global change scenarios.

Occupancy of Semi-Aquatic Mammals in an Urban Landscape

Throughout midwestern North American ecosystems, semi-aquatic mammals including beaver (Castor canadensis), mink (Neovision vision), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), and river otter (Lontra canadensis) co-exist in wetlands. These species are ecologically important through their manipulation of habitats and interactions with other species present. Although natural resource managers in urban ecosystems are interested in semi-aquatic mammals and factors affecting their ecology, few such studies exist in the literature. We studied impacts of restoration practices and other environmental covariates on detection and occupancy of the 4 aforementioned focal species on forest preserves managed by the Lake County Forest Preserve District (Lake County, Illinois, USA). Sign surveys were conducted during December-April in 2018-19 and 2019-20. We quantified 12 variables representing bank measurements, temperature, precipitation, soil type, and survey replicate to inform the detection process and quantified 12 variables representing forest cover measurements, aquatic plant measurements, dominant landcover, restoration practices, and anthropogenic disturbances for the occupancy process. Single species, multi-season occupancy models were run in RStudio using the package unmarked. Detection probabilities ranged from 0.10 ± 0.07 for river otters to 0.60 ± 0.03 for muskrats; occupancy probabilities ranged from 0.28 ± 0.18 for river otters to 0.90 ± 0.05 for muskrats. Detection and occupancy were influenced by similar environmental factors (bank measurements, precipitation, and survey replicate for detection; and stream measurements and food availability for occupancy) compared to more rural locations. We provide further evidence that muskrats are urban adapters and document the initial stages of river otter recolonization in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

Soil Degradation and Restoration in Southwestern Saudi Arabia through Investigation of Soil Physiochemical Characteristics and Nutrient Status as Indicators

Soil degradation is among the major global concerns resulting in declined soil fertility, loss of soil organic carbon (SOM) and nutrients, and reduced pollinator visitations. The current study was performed to explore soil quality and fertility after restoration in southwestern Saudi Arabia, as new plantation could alter soil properties. A total of 78 soil samples were collected from restored and control (without any restoration) areas from Al-Jenebeen (AJ), Queen Rearing Center (QRC), and Shekiran (SK) from depths of 0–60 cm. Results exhibited that sandy loam was the most dominant textural class in all the studied sites (~60%), followed by sandy clay loam. All the soils were slightly alkaline and nonsaline. Due to restoration practices, the pH was increased in AJ and QRC, while decreased in SK areas. With restoration, EC in AJ and QRC sites decreased, but increased in SK. Restoration practices resulted in reduced SOM in AJ and QRC, while increased in SK. Increased SOM in SK may improve floral traits after restoration. Overall, restored SK possessed higher SOM and nutrients with reduced pH, and, hence, could be a potential source for honeybee flora. Further in depth analyses of restoration activities are needed to explore the long term effects on land rehabilitation.

Forest Restoration: Do Site Selection and Restoration Practices Follow Ecological Criteria? A Case Study in Sweden

The speed with which restoration will, or can, be accomplished depends on the initial state and location of the sites. However, many factors can undermine the process of choosing sites that are deemed the best ecological choice for restoration. Little attention has been paid to whether site selection follows ecological criteria and how this may affect restoration success. We used habitat inventory data to investigate whether ecological criteria for site selection and restoration have been followed, focusing on restoration for the white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos B.) in Sweden. In our study region, which is situated in an intensively managed forest landscape with dense and young stands dominated by two coniferous species, purely ecological criteria would entail that sites that are targeted for restoration would (1) initially be composed of older and more deciduous trees than the surrounding landscape, and (2) be at a scale relevant for the species. Furthermore, restoration should lead to sites becoming less dense and less dominated by coniferous trees after restoration, which we investigated as an assessment of restoration progress. To contextualize the results, we interviewed people involved in the restoration efforts on site. We show that although the first criterion for ecological site selection was largely met, the second was not. More research is needed to assess the motivations of actors taking part in restoration efforts, as well as how they interlink with public efforts. This would allow us to identify possible synergies that can benefit restoration efforts.

‘Thinking with Kaipara’: A decolonising methodological strategy to illuminate social heterogenous nature–culture relations in place

Decolonising methodologies continue to be critically developed to disrupt the marginalising approaches to knowledge production. By privileging Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, relations with nature are a more-than-human entanglement and a relational pursuit. Ecosystems such as estuaries and rivers are connected through kin-based relationships and treated as (or are) ancestors and family members. Such embodiment connects the body–mind–spirit to maintain relations with the mauri of ancestral beings and Deities. Within this ontology, nature is indistinguishable from culture. Our research responds to the call of how method might proceed to de-centre the human and make bodily and material encounters with the nonhuman matter. ‘Thinking with Kaipara’ is a methodological strategy that is a deliberate attempt to pursue embodied ways of producing knowledge. To work with situated knowledges, place and social difference to address the crisis of representation of such in ecosystem-based management, the problematising of ecosystem degradation and restoration practices. Research data produced is founded on human and nonhuman collaboration, an ethic of care, diverse epistemic nature–culture relations, social/nature/gender justice and equality, which makes for empirical evidence not enjoyed by scientific and technocratic methods utilised to inform and shape ecosystem-based management decisions and policy. Geo-creative practices are used by co-researchers/co-participants to recount their lived experiences and knowledges of ecosystem degradation and restoration. Storytelling, poetics, and painting, sculpting, whaikorero, waiata and writing were practices used. We argue that such geo-creative practices challenge the normative spaces and practices of disciplinary knowledge-making and enable the examination of social heterogeneous nature–culture relations in settler-colonial societies.

Re-imagine Pickering here: a vision for Pickering Nuclear Park

In 2024, all commercial operations at the Pickering Nuclear Generation Station cease and the station will begin its decommissioning process. Ontario Power Generation is currently looking developing a repurposing strategy for the site throughout the decommissioning process, which is expected to be complete by 2064. This project presents a unique opportunity to re-imagine the future of this site, while setting a precedent for the reuse of nuclear sites and facilities once they have reached the end of their life cycle – an issue that will be more prevalent in the coming years. This project proposes a vision for the site to be transformed into parkland using ecological restoration practices, and establishing a Centre for Clean Energy Technology. Using design as a form of research, the project was informed by background research that included a review of existing literature on post-industrial site redevelopment, precedent studies, and site reconnaissance.

Re-imagine Pickering here: a vision for Pickering Nuclear Park

In 2024, all commercial operations at the Pickering Nuclear Generation Station cease and the station will begin its decommissioning process. Ontario Power Generation is currently looking developing a repurposing strategy for the site throughout the decommissioning process, which is expected to be complete by 2064. This project presents a unique opportunity to re-imagine the future of this site, while setting a precedent for the reuse of nuclear sites and facilities once they have reached the end of their life cycle – an issue that will be more prevalent in the coming years. This project proposes a vision for the site to be transformed into parkland using ecological restoration practices, and establishing a Centre for Clean Energy Technology. Using design as a form of research, the project was informed by background research that included a review of existing literature on post-industrial site redevelopment, precedent studies, and site reconnaissance.

Wetland Restoration with Hydrophytes: A Review

Restoration cases with hydrophytes (those which develop all their vital functions inside the water or very close to the water surface, e.g., flowering) are less abundant compared to those using emergent plants. Here, I synthesize the latest knowledge in wetland restoration based on revegetation with hydrophytes and stress common challenges and potential solutions. The review mainly focusses on natural wetlands but also includes information about naturalized constructed wetlands, which nowadays are being used not only to improve water quality but also to increase biodiversity. Available publications, peer-reviewed and any public domain, from the last 20 years, were reviewed. Several countries developed pilot case-studies and field-scale projects with more or less success, the large-scale ones being less frequent. Using floating species is less generalized than submerged species. Sediment transfer is more adequate for temporary wetlands. Hydrophyte revegetation as a restoration tool could be improved by selecting suitable wetlands, increasing focus on species biology and ecology, choosing the suitable propagation and revegetation techniques (seeding, planting). The clear negative factors which prevent the revegetation success (herbivory, microalgae, filamentous green algae, water and sediment composition) have to be considered. Policy-making and wetland restoration practices must more effectively integrate the information already known, particularly under future climatic scenarios.