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Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 16253

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kripal Singh

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Guest Editor

Institute of Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4001, South Africa
Interests: restoration ecology; biodiversity vs bioeconomy; sustainability

Dr. Shalini Dhyani

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Guest Editor

Critical Zone Research Group, Water Technology and Management, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440020, India
Interests: forestry; urban ecology; biodiversity; climate change; EIA; nature-based solutions; sustainable use; lesser known wild edibles; agrobiodiversity; indigenous and local knowledge systems; policy analysis; restoration; sustainability sciences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Debbie Bartlett

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Guest Editor

School of Science, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
Interests: nature based solutions; mitigation of climate impacts, particularly heat stress; landscape scale management and rural livelihoods; invasive species ecology and risk analysis use of detection dogs in conservation

Dr. Somidh Saha

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Guest Editor

Research Group Sylvanus, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), D-76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
Interests: challenges in sustainable and multifunctional forest management; trade-offs between adaptation strategies and climate protection strategies; increasing the resilience of forests to climate change; meta-analysis and quantitative review in forestry and ecology; synthesis of data from the national forest inventory; stress ecology (e.g. drought) of trees in the forests; urban forestry and urban ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world is facing unprecedented biodiversity loss due to rampant ecosystem degradation that is further accelerated by climate change. This loss has accelerated the impact of climate change on marginalized and vulnerable societies with consequences for human health, livelihoods, and well-being. The effective implementation of ecological restoration at local, regional and national level can bring diverse benefits not only for the environment but also promote social and economic sustainability to communities. Ecosystem restoration is the supremely important science for the Anthropocene and requires collaboration of experts from diverse disciplines such as social sciences, economics, life sciences, earth and environmental studies, along with policy makers and industrial partners can bring in pragmatic solutions to halt and/or reduce biodiversity loss and protect natural resources from further degradation. This approach is required to address the climate crisis and biodiversity emergency and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It will also contribute to, the Nationally Determined Targets, the Post 2020 global biodiversity targets, focusing on developing a mutually beneficial relationship between people and nature, the UBCCD targets for Land Degradation Neutrality and the success of the UN-Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). It is of paramount importance that integrated, participatory collaborative efforts are made to establish a hybrid knowledge framework that includes scientific, as well indigenous and traditional knowledge, to maximize the success of restoration efforts at local level. This must be effectively integrated in governance instruments and policy planning to enhance institutional capacity to tackle the complex challenges of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss and strengthen the global agenda of living in harmony with nature.

This special issue invites contributions in the form of original research papers, critical reviews, or opinion articles linking various disciplines, as outlined above, related to the development of integrated sustainable solutions for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation.

This special issue invites contributions in the form of original research papers, critical reviews, opinion articles linking various disciplines, see above, and ecosystems (terrestrial and aquatic) with sustainability in ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. The research area (not limited to) may include the following:

Restoration and allied activities
Nature-based solutions, socio-ecological resilient systems
Business for and from ecosystem restoration and biodiversity
Community engagement, indigenous knowledge systems, and citizen science
Artificial intelligence, and big data in restoration monitoring
Corporate efforts and limitations to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity
Restoration finance and its economic feasibility
Climate sensitive transformative approaches in restoration by applying principals and standards of ecosystem and forest restoration are invited.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Kripal Singh
Dr. Shalini Dhyani
Prof. Debbie Bartlett
Dr. Somidh Saha
Guest Editors

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Keywords

restoration
rehabilitation
biodiversity conservation
forest restoration
mine soils
salt-affected lands
forest fires
agroecology
sustainable development

Published Papers (9 papers)

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19 pages, 14796 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction and Optimization Strategy of County Ecological Infrastructure Network Based on MCR and Gravity Model—A Case Study of Langzhong County in Sichuan Province

by Mao Feng, Wanmin Zhao and Tao Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8478; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118478 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1076

Abstract

Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization, there is a passive adaptation state shown in urban and rural ecological spaces. Due to the shrinking of ecological patches and the fracture of corridors, problems such as the obstruction of ecological processes, the decline of ecosystem services, and the loss of biodiversity occur. Considering that county ecological space is the key level to undertake provincial ecological security patterns and implement ecological demonstration projects, the construction of a county ecological infrastructure (EI) network is beneficial to the protection of regional ecological security, the improvement of the structures and functions of farmland ecosystems, and the enhancement of the quality of human settlements. In this study, taking Langzhong County in Sichuan Province as an example, a method path for an EI network construction was explored, and an optimization strategy for ecological patterns was proposed. Firstly, morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and a patch importance index were employed to identify ecological sources. Secondly, by constructing a landscape resistance surface and adopting a minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, potential EI corridor paths were extracted. Thirdly, the interaction force values between ecological sources were calculated with a gravity model and important ecological corridors were identified for priority protection and restoration. Finally, an EI corridor network was optimized by combining network structure indexes (α, β, and γ) with the field situation, and stepping stone patches and ecological breakpoints were identified. Based on the analysis results, an ecological protection pattern, which involved three vertical and two horizontal ecological belts, four ecological control zones, and six clusters of EI networks in Langzhong County, was put forward, aiming at protecting 50 ecological sources, repairing 105 ecological corridors of different grades, adding 9 stepping stone patches near long-distance corridors and 15 at the intersection of ecological corridors, and repairing 18 ecological breakpoints. This study has guiding significance for the optimization of county ecological patterns, the construction of farmland forest belts, and site selection of ecological restoration projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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19 pages, 2606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Combination of Plant Diversity and Soil Microbial Diversity Directly and Actively Drives the Multifunctionality of Grassland Ecosystems in the Middle Part of the Northern Slopes of the Tian Shan under Grazing Disturbance

by Kangwei Jiang, Qingqing Zhang, Yafei Wang, Hong Li, Yongqiang Yang and Tursunnay Reyimu

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5673; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075673 - 24 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1684

Abstract

It is well known that biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) guarantee the well-being of human society. Most studies have focused on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function, and less is known about the individual and combined effects of above- and below-ground biodiversity on ecosystem multifunctionality under grazing disturbance. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between plant and soil microbial (bacterial and fungal) diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality under grazing disturbance by using multiple methods to assess ecosystem multifunctionality. We conducted experiments in desert grasslands on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains and compared the relationship between ecosystem multifunctionality and biodiversity assessed by different methods under light grazing and heavy grazing. Our results showed that at the heavy grazing level, ecosystem multifunctionality calculated by the mean method and plant diversity, soil fungal diversity, soil bacterial diversity and soil fertility calculated by the single function method showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05), but grass productivity was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Among them, ecosystem multifunctionality, soil carbon storage function and soil fertility all showed significant positive correlations with plant diversity and soil microbial diversity (p < 0.05). We calculated that ecosystem multifunctionality also essentially showed positive correlation with plant diversity and soil microbial diversity using the multi-threshold method, and the effect curve was approximately a single-peaked curve, first increasing and then decreasing. Finally, we used plant diversity, soil fungal diversity and soil bacterial diversity under grazing disturbance as biotic factors and soil pH as an abiotic factor to construct structural equation models, and we found that grazing can have direct effects on ecosystem multifunctionality and indirect effects on ecosystem multifunctionality through above- and below-ground biodiversity. Our study emphasizes the importance of the combination of above- and below-ground biodiversity in maintaining the multifunctionality of desert grassland ecosystems on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains. A moderate reduction in grazing intensity can better conserve biodiversity and improve ecosystem multifunctionality, and it is a feasible strategy to maintain sustainable management of desert grasslands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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21 pages, 6275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Results of the Introduction of Dicotyledonous Meadow Species

by Maria Janicka, Bogumiła Pawluśkiewicz and Tomasz Gnatowski

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3231; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043231 - 10 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1026

Abstract

The reintroduction and introduction of native plant species is becoming more and more important in the restoration of plant communities. The study aimed to determine the possibility of predicting the effectiveness of the introduction of dicotyledonous species into impoverished patches of meadows in the landscape nature reserve in the proglacial valley of the Vistula River (Poland). Fourteen species planted into the soil from seedlings, after growing them from seeds in pots, in pure stands were assessed. Field studies were carried out in 2015–2017 on post-bog soil. Parameters of plant development and growth that were analysed included, among others, range, condition and height of shoots (vegetative and generative). Based on the biometric parameters, a statistical analysis (PCA, analysis of variance, decision tree) was performed. It was found that the range, i.e., the spread of the population, did not determine the classification of species into groups with a different nature of development after introduction. This classification was mainly determined by the plant condition in the following years after the introduction (over 3.4 on a 5-point scale), and the occurrence of generative shoots in the second year after planting. The group with the highest potential efficiency of introduction included three species: Achillea millefolium, Hypericum perforatum, Veronica longifolia. The failure of the introduction of other species resulted from their life form (two years old) and unfavourable weather conditions in the third year of study (2017), due to the high level of groundwater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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18 pages, 1165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Setting Up Roots: Opportunities for Biocultural Restoration in Recently Inhabited Settings

by Carter A. Hunt, Melanie E. Jones, Ernesto Bustamante, Carla Zambrano, Carolina Carrión-Klier and Heinke Jäger

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2775; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032775 - 03 Feb 2023

Viewed by 2099

Abstract

Biocultural approaches to restoration, which recognize the unique ways of understanding of socioecological challenges by Indigenous and local communities, have gained traction in recent decades. Yet, less attention has focused on biocultural opportunities where there is no Indigenous population or traditional knowledge to draw upon. This ethnographic study inductively assesses data gathered from interviews with farm owners on Isabela Island in the Galápagos Islands, where human presence is a function of recent migration. These interviews, corroborated with archival information and participant observation, center on farmer attitudes regarding restoration of Scalesia cordata, a highly endangered plant species, endemic to Isabela. The resulting analysis identified four themes of overlap with the biocultural restoration literature: cultural keystone species, sense of place, informational pathways, and recognition of socio-ecological feedback loops. Findings indicate that Scalesia remains a valued cultural keystone species providing tangible and intangible benefits to local residents, and its survival serves as a metaphor for farmers’ own wellbeing. Thus, even locations where place-based knowledge by a native population is not evident, critical biocultural elements exist that can be integrated into restoration efforts. Farmers also exhibited clear connections between restoration and tourism in Galápagos, paving the way for the application of biocultural theory to the analysis of tourism-supported restoration efforts elsewhere. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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14 pages, 1203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Vegetation Composition and Carbon Stock of Old Shrub Typology to Support the Rehabilitation Program in Sumatra and Kalimantan Islands, Indonesia

by I. Wayan Susi Dharmawan, Nur Muhammad Heriyanto, Titiek Setyawati, Marfuah Wardani, Adi Susilo, Raden Garsetiasih, Reny Sawitri, Denny, Vivi Yuskianti, Endang Karlina, Mariana Takandjandji, Rozza Tri Kwatrina and Zuraida

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1389; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021389 - 11 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1160

Abstract

The typology of certain old shrubs assists with the selection of suitable plant species for rehabilitation. The carbon stock dynamic in old shrubs is fundamental due to their high uptake during the growth process phase. A plot of 100 m × 100 m (1 hectare) was created in each location, referring to the work of Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg. The plot was further divided into subsquares measuring 20 m × 20 m; in each plot, there were 25 subplots. Research results showed that the diversity index of old shrubs at the tree, pole, and seedling stage is 2.50–2.66, 1.23–1.50, and 0.67–1.11, respectively. For Kalimantan, the diversity index is lower than that on Sumatra Island, which is 1.64–1.80, 1.00–1.02, and 0.52–0.81, respectively. The carbon stock of the old shrub forest in Sumatra has an average of 36.61 Mg C per ha (standard deviation 14.54 Mg C per ha) to 72.50 Mg C per ha (standard deviation 25.61 Mg C per ha), while Kalimantan has an average of 47.94 Mg C per ha (standard deviation 13.30 Mg C per ha) to 144.07 Mg C per ha (standard deviation 54.64 Mg C per ha). The dynamics of the vegetation composition and carbon stock in each old shrub’s typology are considered when choosing a suitable model, including high carbon stock content, to provide optimal results for rehabilitation activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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20 pages, 2660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of Smoldering Combustion of Organic Horizons at Pine and Spruce Boreal Forests with Lab-Heating Experiments

by Nikolay Gorbach, Viktor Startsev, Anton Mazur, Evgeniy Milanovskiy, Anatoly Prokushkin and Alexey Dymov

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16772; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416772 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1130

Abstract

Wildfire is a threat for many boreal ecosystems and induces deep modifications in organic horizons. In this paper, we have considered fire-induced changes to the organic horizon properties. The effect of fire was studied by using a forest litter burning experiment. Sample heating was performed in the lab at fixed temperatures (200, 300 and 500 °C), on a set of O horizons developed under pine (Flavocetraria-Pinetum association) and spruce (Piceetum hylocomium splendens association) forest litters. Litters were analyzed in terms of pH, specific electrical conductivity, specific surface area, total carbon (C_tot) and nitrogen (N_tot) content, water-soluble carbon and nitrogen, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N stable isotope analysis and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The mean pH values increased from ~5 to ~8.2 with an increase in the influence of temperature. The specific electrical conductivity and specific surface area properties increased as well from ~255 to ~432 and from 0.42 to 1.84, respectively. C_tot and N_tot decreased, but at the same time the inorganic carbon content increased. The aromaticity of organic matter after the fire increased. The results of the present study show that organic horizons are changed by wildfire and this discussion made it clear to help with the understanding how fire affects organic matter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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17 pages, 2155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomonitoring-Supported Land Restoration to Reduce Land Degradation in Intensively Mined Areas of India

by Sunidhi Singh, Shalini Dhyani, Ramesh Janipella, Soumya Chakraborty, Paras Ranjan Pujari, V. M. Shinde and Kripal Singh

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13639; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013639 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1656

Abstract

Land degradation due to mining is a major concern leading to massive losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The biomonitoring of metals in mine voids can help to keep track of ecosystem health. The present study was carried out in a large mine void that is presently used for fly ash disposal in the Angul district of Odisha, India. For the biomonitoring of the fly ash, composite soil and plant samples (non-edible as well as edible, naturally growing in and around the mine void) were collected seasonally four times between April 2018 and February 2019 from the sampling locations. We monitored the metal uptake (Al, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and bioaccumulation to assess the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in the collected plant samples. The Fe concentration was reported to be high in Tragia involucrate (24.82 mg/kg) and Digitaria ciliaris (24.818 mg/kg), while the soil at the study site is also rich in Fe and Al. Higher concentrations of metals in fruit trees such as Psidium guajava and other plants such as Ficus religiosa, Ipomoea batatas, Delonix regia, Digitaria ciliaris, and Cynodon dactylon were reported from nearby areas. Understanding the presence of metals should be a guiding factor for reducing land degradation. Our study stresses the need for corporate commitment to ensure regular biomonitoring and biomonitoring-supported land restoration for degraded mining areas. Sustainable land restoration supported by biomonitoring has the potential to help achieve the global goals of the UN Decade on Restoration: Land Degradation Neutrality (UNCCD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13, and 15. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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26 pages, 1291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enabling Factors of NTFP Business Development for Ecosystem Restoration: The Case of Tamanu Oil in Indonesian Degraded Peatland

by Nur Arifatul Ulya, Edwin Martin, Mamat Rahmat, Bambang Tejo Premono, Leo Rio Ependi Malau, Efendi Agus Waluyo, Andika Imanullah, Abdul Hakim Lukman, Asmaliyah, Armansyah, Dani Saputra, Etik Erna Wati Hadi, Fatahul Azwar, Hengki Siahaan, Purwanto, Mario Damanik, Nuralamin, Raissa Anjani, Sigit Andy Cahyono, Sri Utami and Sri Agustini Show full author list Hide full author list

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10681; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710681 - 27 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1942

Abstract

Indonesia’s tropical peatlands are one of the world’s largest carbon sinks, and they are facing the threat of extensive degradation and conversion. The Indonesian government is committed to peat restoration. However, restoration is still a costly, top-down approach lacking community participation, and is focused on the 3R scheme (rewetting, revegetation, and revitalization). Peatland restoration businesses are part of the innovative effort to finance this endeavor. Unfortunately, there is not much information available about the pre-conditions required to create a restoration business. This study seeks to understand the enabling conditions for the development of peatland restoration, with a focus on the tamanu oil business, and to assess whether the same situation might apply in the context of the restoration of degraded peatland. PEST analysis is used to describe the macro-environmental factors of the tamanu oil business and its development opportunities in degraded peatlands. Tamanu oil-based peat ecosystem restoration businesses offer good prospects because of the growing it has grown the bioenergy and biomedical markets, and they can cover a larger area of degraded peatland landscape. For tamanu oil businesses to succeed in peat ecosystem restoration, we recommend that policy documents at various levels include tamanu as a priority commodity for peatland restoration and alternative community businesses, followed by planting programs by all stakeholders. The government and social organizations must take positions as initiators and catalysts, establish a significant number and extent of pilot tamanu plantations, and create a mutually supportive business climate between entrepreneurs and peatland managers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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9 pages, 2222 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Transformative Change Needs Direction

by Sander Jacobs, Fernando Santos-Martín, Eeva Primmer, Fanny Boeraeve, Alejandra Morán-Ordóñez, Vânia Proença, Martin Schlaepfer, Lluis Brotons, Robert Dunford, Sandra Lavorel, Antoine Guisan, Joachim Claudet, Zuzana V. Harmáčková, Inge Liekens, Jennifer Hauck, Kasper Kok, Yves Zinngrebe, Simona Pedde, Bálint Czúcz, Cosimo Solidoro, Matthew Cantele, Christian Rixen, Anna Heck, Jomme Desair, Tobias Plieninger and Paula A. Harrison Show full author list Hide full author list

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14844; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214844 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2440

Abstract

Comparing the impacts of future scenarios is essential for developing and guiding the political sustainability agenda. This review-based analysis compares six IPBES scenarios for their impacts on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 20 biodiversity targets (Aichi targets) for the Europe and Central Asia regions. The comparison is based on a review of 143 modeled scenarios synthesized in a plural cost–benefit approach which provides the distances to multiple policy goals. We confirm and substantiate the claim that transformative change is vital but also point out which directions for political transformation are to be preferred. The hopeful message is that large societal losses might still be avoided, and multiple benefits can be generated over the coming decades and centuries. Yet, policies will need to strongly steer away from scenarios based on regional competition, inequality, and economic optimism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development)

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