Reference:
Nemec, K.T., Allen, C.R., Helzer, C.J., & Wedin,D.A. (2013). Influence of richness and seeding density on invasion resistance in experimental tallgrass prairie restoration. Ecological Restoration, 31(2), 168-185. Summary: Researchers set out to better understand the role richness plays in reducing invasive species success in medium-sized plots. Results indicate that richness is more important at regulating invasive species colonization than density. Research Goals:
Richness was found to be more important than density of reducing the success of invasive species. This could be due to increases in richness allowing for more niches to be filled in the plots effectively reducing the availability of nutrients and space for invasive species to consume. This can help restoration planners by emphasizing the need to fill all available niches to reduce the chance of invasive colonization. Moreover, richness should be seen through different types of plants not just multiple species of a single type (ie: multiple species of grass). Questions:
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Mahoney, S., Mike, J.B., Parker, J.M., Lassiter, L.S., & Whitham, T.G. (2019). Selection for genetics-based architecture traits in a anative cottonwood negatively affects invasive tamarisk in a restoration field trial. Restoration Ecology, 27(1), 15-22. Summary: Researchers hypothesized that there would be a relationship between mean average maximum temperature transfer distance and cottonwood growth and that cottonwood growth would impact tamarisk invasion success. Findings indicate that their hypothesis was accurate and that the mean average maximum temperature transfer distance of stock cottonwoods plays an important role in cottonwood architecture which can help restoration strategies counteract tamarisk growth. Research Goals:
Researchers set out to better understand the relationships between cottonwood size and architecture and tamarisk growth. Cottonwoods from cooler areas tended to grow better than those from warmer areas. This has implications for climate change that may result in cottonwood trees that are unable to grow to the needed dimensions in order to counteract tamarisk invasion. Questions:
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Hess, M.C.M., Mesleard, F., & Buisson, E. (2019). Priority effect: Emerging principles for invasive plant species management. Ecological Engineering, 127, 48-57. Summary: Researchers set out to better understand the dynamics of invasive species priority effects and how those effects could be decreased. Results indicate while there are some known aids for native species recolonization, there is a lot that is still unknown and efforts must be made to better understand these complex relationships between species and environment. Research Goals:
Priority effects are how one species changes the ecosystem for other species or itself. These effects can be beneficial such as native species providing nutrients for the next stage of succession or they can be harmful such as invasive species shading out native species growth. It is not enough to just remove invasive species. However, removal is needed and must be coupled with revegation and may also require alteration of soils to promote native growth. Questions:
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Comin, F.A., Romero, J.A., Hernandez, O., & Menendez, M. (2001). Restoration of wetlands from abandoned rice fields for nutrient removal, and biological community and landscape diversity. Restoration Ecology, 9(2), 201-208. Summary: Researchers set out to determine if restored wetlands would increase nutrient retention, increase diversity, and support diverse bird populations at different successional stages. Results indicate that wetlands are effective at reducing nitrogen and (somewhat) phosphorous; however, no successional stage harbored more birds than another. Research Goals:
Researchers wanted to understand the efficiency of restored wetlands at removing N and P nutrients and how restoration impacted successional stages and bird diversity. They used data from their survey sites to provide suggestions on increasing landscape scale diversity. They found that N and P removal was possible within the wetlands. Also, to increase diversity of plants within the wetlands water would need to be deeper. Moreover, to establish landscape scale habitat, 100m surrounding wetlands should be restored. Questions:
Hamilton, S.K. (2012). Biogeochemical time lags may delay responses of streams to ecological restoration. Freshwater Biology, 57(1), 43-57.
Summary: The article set out to determine the time lags present in N and P movement through watersheds. Understanding the decade or longer time lags will help restoration implementers and monitors be better prepared for the amount of time the project will need before it is ‘successful’. Research Goals:
Rivers in the USA and UK have excess nutrients flowing through them. So much so, that a 90% reduction would be needed to return to a limited system. Understanding the decade or longer time scales at which these nutrients move through the catchment can aid restoration implementers with a better timeline to measure success by. Restoring systems to pre-loaded conditions will take decades or possibly much longer. Reducing nutrient loads added to systems is a must, but the act along will not rectify the issue immediately and this must be communicated with the public as well as restoration funders. Questions:
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McIver, J., & Starr, L. (2001). Restoration of degraded lands in the interior Columbia River basin: passive vs. active approaches. Forest Ecology and Management, 153, 15-28. Summary: Active and passive methods exist for every restoration project; each approach has its benefits and drawbacks. It is up the the plan implementers to determine which approach is appropriate for the situation at hand with the best approach being determined by the goals of the restoration project as well as the extent and type of degradation. Research Goals:
Researchers conducted a literature review to better understand the relative merits and benefits of active vs passive restoration practices. Approaches are discussed for three specific examples where either active or passive approaches are best. However, the researchers concluded the paper by admitting that each restoration project needs to be assessed for its unique characteristics before choosing an approach to restore the degraded ecosystem. Questions:
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