Abstracts
Rent from DeepDyve- Abstracts
Grasslands
In this study, Bach and colleagues examined the grassland habitat quality of restored and continually cultivated grasslands in southeastern Nebraska. Compared to cultivated lands, the restored parcels exhibited increased microbial biomass and higher rates of carbon mineralization. Within the restored grasslands, the authors also examined the effects of low and high diversity seed mixes 4 or 8 yr after planting. While plant diversity was similar across sites, areas planted with the high diversity mix had a higher frequency of cool season grasses. Eight-yr old high diversity restored grasslands exhibited lower soil microbial biomass, carbon mineralization, and soil arbuscular mycorrhizal biomass than low diversity seeded areas of the same age. Low diversity 8-yr old plots also had higher microbial community richness than 4-yr old restorations. The authors attribute these differences to the reduced recovery of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in high diversity plantings, which limited the restoration of belowground microbial diversity.
Torok and colleagues reviewed the most common practices used for the transformation of former European croplands to grassland habitats. Focusing on spontaneous succession, sowing seed, transfer of plant material, and topsoil removal as restoration techniques, and planting, grazing, and mowing to promote species diversity, the authors examine the usefulness of each practice from a feasibility and economic perspective. Results suggest that the effectiveness of each method varies by site and is influenced by local conditions, availability of propagules, and overall budget. The authors fully elaborate on the benefits and drawbacks of each technique and describe under what conditions each method may be practical.
Woodlands
Deforestation is increasing in intensity worldwide, and quick and efficient methods are needed to mitigate its effects. Corbin and Holl explore the viability of applied nucleation as a potential strategy to rapidly restore forest cover on degraded landscapes. Applied nucleation is predicated on the idea that small patches of land planted with restoration species will act as nuclei, promoting forest recovery through dispersal. Empirical studies of applied nucleation seem to follow theoretical predictions, demonstrating that species recruitment is higher in planted nuclei than in unplanted areas. However, the authors warn that additional long-term research is warranted for more precise conclusions.
Habitat loss in biodiversity hotspots has significant negative impacts on taxonomic groups, and the restoration of these areas must ensure that habitat quality is enriched across multiple scales. Diaz-Rodriguez and colleagues studied the effect of elegant lupine (Lupinus elegans) as a nurse species to foster the development of a species-rich coniferous forest in the northeast region of Michoacan, Mexico. Plots sowed with elegant lupine exhibited significantly more plant species than control plots. Although plots with lupine [End Page 143] were more similar to restored plots without lupine than to remnant forest at a local scale, at a landscape scale lupine plots were more similar to remnant forest. The authors conclude that not only is lupine an effective nurse plant for forest restoration, but the high plant diversity achieved in these plots can spill over into adjacent areas and continue increasing biodiversity.
