Abstracts

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 Chris Reyes at cmreyes@wisc.edu.

Grasslands

Effects of Community-Level Grassland Management on the Non-target Rare Annual Agalinis auriculata. 2009. Vitt, P. (Dept of Plant Science and Conservation, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, 847/835-8268, pvitt@chicagobotanic.org), K. Havens, B.E. Kendall and T.M. Knight. Biological Conservation 142(4):798–805.

This study evaluated whether community-level management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and woody brush benefited earleaf false foxglove (Agalinis auriculata) in five northeastern Illinois prairies. Control of deer herbivory greatly increased both size and number of the false foxglove fruits, and brush removal increased the proportion of plants reaching the largest class size. A model based on four years of data and incorporating 12 parameters related to seed production and probability of germination suggested that both management activities are necessary for earleaf false foxglove to persist. These results demonstrate that some community- and ecosystem-level management activities can be compatible with conservation goals at the species and population levels.

Woodlands

Fungus Diversity in Revegetated Paddocks Compared with Remnant Woodland in a South-Eastern Australian Agricultural Landscape. 2009. Barrett, G. (Dept of Environment and Conservation, 7 Turner Ave, Technology Park, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia, +61 (0)8 9423 2907, geoff.barrett@dec.wa.gov.au), J.M. Trappe, A. Drew, J. Stol and D. Freudenberger. Ecological Management & Restoration 10(3):200–209.

Of 58 macrofungal genera recorded in this survey, 48 were found in remnant woodlands and 33 in replanted sites containing three- to six-year-old trees. Ten were found only in planted sites; 25, only in woodlands. Early successional genera such as Laccaria and Scleroderma dominated restoration sites, suggesting windblown colonization. A low proportion of genera with belowground fruits at restorations further indicated colonization rather than generation from soil spores, as these fungi are dispersed by mammalian vectors. Most genera, including all belowground genera, formed mycorrhizal associations. Belowground and mycorrhizal fungi were positively associated with diversity of native forbs, suggesting that the lower fungal diversity at restoration sites resulted from past fertilizer use in intensive agriculture, which negatively affects native forbs.

Rodent Dispersal of Fungal Spores Promotes Seedling Establishment away from Mycorrhizal Networks on Quercus garryana. 2009. Frank, J.L., S. Anglin, E.M. Carrington, D.S. Taylor, B. Viratos and D. Southworth (Dept of Biology, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR 97520, southworth@sou.edu). Botany 87(9):821–829.

To assess the dispersion potential of oaks, the authors evaluated the availability of requisite ectomycorrhizal inoculum as a function of distance from mature Oregon white oaks (Quercus garryana) in an Oregon nature preserve. Mycorrhizas were found in soil cores only up to 5 m from parent trees, but fungal spores were present in rodent fecal pellets at distances of 35 m. Despite evidence that codispersal of acorns and spores did not occur, occasional second-year seedlings acquired mycorrhizas beyond the canopy zone. This suggests that rodent-dispersed inoculum supports seedling establishment away from mycorrhizal networks in mature trees. These findings can inform oak restoration and habitat management, and perhaps development of an inoculation protocol for oak seedlings.

Wetlands

Woodgate Farms Wetlands Mitigation. 2009. Hickey, J. (Davey Resource Group, 800/828-8312 x27, jessica.hickey@davey.com). Land & Water 53(5):7–10.

This project in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, restored 1.6 ha of wetland/upland mosaic with emergent lowland woods, scrub, and vernal pools; established a 6.5 ha conservation easement; and relocated 345 m of stream channel. To permit colonization from the seed bank, topsoil was stockpiled for redistribution after construction of a berm to divert water from drainage ditches and redirect surface runoff into the wetlands. Vernal pools formed in pits where soil was removed to create the berm. During five years of monitoring, invasive plants were eradicated by chemical treatment and manual removal. After this period, plant species diversity and vegetation cover surpassed the permit goals; hydrology supported breeding amphibian populations...