Abstracts, Reviews, and Meetings

To develop the following abstracts, the editorial staff searches more than 100 scientific journals, professional and organizational newsletters, conference proceedings, and other resources for information relevant to ecological restoration practice and research. Please send suggested abstract sources to the editorial staff (ERjournal@aesop.rutgers.edu).

Grasslands

Regional and Decadal Patterns on Native and Exotic Plant Coexistence in California Grasslands. 2011. Brandt, A.J. (Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, brandtan@science.oregonstate.edu), and E.W. Seabloom. Ecological Applications 21(3):704-714.

Species coexistence can be driven by heterogeneity of environmental conditions, such as microtopography and climate. Brandt and Seabloom use this concept to explore the coexistence of native and invasive plant species with the goal of informing invasive species management practices. Using 2 long-term data sets (7yr and 48yr), the authors determine how spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity contribute to variability in provenance group abundance and diversity. They found that provenance itself was a poor determinant of species persistence, but that temporal environmental heterogeneity was an accurate predictor of provenance group abundance. In addition, spatial environmental heterogeneity may mediate coexistence on mesoscales. This information may help to prioritize restoration efforts where native species performance is maximized.

Are Butterflies and Moths Suitable Indicator Systems for Restoration Measures of Semi-Natural Calcareous Grassland Habitats? 2011. Rakosy, L. (Universitatae Babes-Bolyai, Dept Taxon & Ecology, RO-3400 Cluj Napoca, Romania, laszlorakosy@hasdeu.ubbcluj.ro), and T. Schmitt. Ecological Indicators 11(5):1040-1045.

Rakosy and Schmitt evaluated the potential of butterflies and moths as indicators of environmental quality in the Carinthian Alps. The authors collected samples in 2002 and 2004 at 8 different sites, 5 of which were restored in 2002. Their results demonstrate that both taxa can serve as appropriate biological indicators; however, butterflies are a more appropriate choice for open habitats while moths are most likely better suited for forested habitats. In addition, butterflies appear to be a more sensitive group, making them a good choice to evaluate short-term success of restoration.

Woodlands

Yellow Pine Regeneration as a Function of Fire Severity and Post-Burn Stand Structure in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. 2011. Jenkins, M.A. (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W. State Street, W. Lafayette, IN 47907, jenkinma@purdue.edu), Klein, R.N., and V.L. McDaniel. Forest Ecology and Management 262(4):681-691.

Jenkins and colleagues examined data from 6 prescribed burns in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), TN to identify threshold effects of stand structure on the regeneration of yellow pine (Pinus subgenus Diploxon) and assessed the efficacy of the Keetch-Byram Drought Index as a predictor of post-burn stand and fuel conditions. They demonstrated that yellow pine seedlings did not occur in post-burn areas until the overstory and understory density was reduced by 40% and 80%, respectively, and shrub cover was reduced to =10%. Further, successful regeneration of yellow pine seedlings required a duff layer of <4cm and a 60% reduction of total fuel. This information is helpful in the development of restoration targets for prescribed fire in the southern Appalachians.

Emulating Nurse Plants to Restore Oak Forests. 2011. Badano, E.I. (Division de Ciencias Ambientales, Instito Potosino de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica, Camino a la Presna San Jose 2055, Colonia Lomas 4ta Seccion, CP 78216 San Luis Potosi, Mexico, ernesto. badano@ipicyt.edu.mx), Samour-Nieva, O.R., and J. Flores. Ecological Engineering 37(8):1244-1248.

Oak forests in Mexico have been severely degraded over time, and restoration is complicated by high oak seedling mortality under seasonally dry conditions. Badano and colleagues present the use of artificial shade structures as an alternative to nurse plants for effective oak seedling regeneration. They monitored transplanted seedlings for 22 wks and recorded presumed causes of mortality (predation or stress) and physiological performance. Results indicate that seedlings were less stressed under shade structures and exhibited better physiological performance than unprotected seedlings.

Wetlands

Wetland Development in a Previously Mined Landscape of East Texas, USA. 2011. Hart, T.M., and S.E. Davis III (Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, 2258 TAMU, 77840 College Station, TX...