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Abstracts, Reviews, and Meetings
Ecological Restoration, Volume 28, Number 1, March 2010, pp. 86-98 (Article)
Published by University of Wisconsin Press
For additional information about this article
https://muse.jhu.edu/article/382363
[ Access provided at 25 Feb 2022 15:02 GMT with no institutional affiliation ]Abstracts, Reviews, and Meetings
To develop the following abstracts, the editorial staff searches more than 100 scientific journals, professional and orga-
nizational 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 primary production as well as of short-term variation asso-
ciated with fire cycles, suggesting that grasslands with large
Carbon Addition Interacts with Water Availability to bud banks may be best able to respond to environmental
Reduce Invasive Forb Establishment in a Semi-arid challenges such as climate change and most resistant to
Grassland. 2009. Blumenthal, D.M. (USDA–ARS non-native plant invasion.
Rangeland Resources Research Unit, Crops Research
Wild Pollinator Communities Are Negatively Affected
Lab, 1701 Center Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526, dana
by Invasion of Alien Goldenrods in Grassland Land-
.blumenthal@ars.usda.gov). Biological Invasions
scapes. 2009. Moroń, D. (Inst of Systematics and
11(6):1281–1290.
Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences,
To see whether reduction of available nitrogen by carbon Sławkowska 17, 31-016 Kraków, Poland, +48 431 19
addition can impede invasion by non-native plants where 63, dawidmoron@poczta.onet.pl), M. Lenda, P. Skórka,
water and nitrogen are colimiting, Blumenthal seeded six H. Szentgyörgyi, J. Settele and M. Woyciechowski.
invasive species into northern mixed-grass prairie commu- Biological Conservation 142(7):1322–1332.
nities in southeastern Wyoming and manipulated water,
This study in southeast Poland compared the abundance,
nitrogen, and carbon. Biomass of native species was not
species richness, and diversity of wild bees, hoverflies, and
limited by water, and carbon addition reduced biomass in
butterflies between wet meadows invaded and not invaded
all plots. Carbon addition limited invasion only in added-
by the non-native Canada (Solidago canadensis) and giant
water plots, since ambient water conditions precluded
(S. gigantea) goldenrods. Invasion strongly decreased both
invasion. With added water, nitrogen addition increased
diversity and abundance of wild pollinators. No group was
aboveground biomass of two invasive species, but the effect
resistant, regardless of its nesting and food specialization.
was mainly on plant size. Blumenthal concluded that low
Interestingly, there were more honeybees (Apis mellifera)
water availability can limit the effect of carbon addition on
on invaded than noninvaded sites while the goldenrod
invasion, although the availability of nitrogen can become
was blooming, indicating that the domesticated pollina-
important during wet periods.
tor used the invader as a food source—whereas when
The Effects of Fire Frequency and Grazing on Tall- butterflies were transferred into invaded meadows, they
grass Prairie Productivity and Plant Composition left and flew to patches without goldenrod. Goldenrods
Are Mediated through Bud Bank Demography. are the most widespread non-native plants in Poland, and
2009. Dalgleish, H.J. (College of Natural Resources, the authors see them as a threat to the entire community
Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT of wild pollinators.
84321, h.dalgleish@usu.edu) and D.C. Hartnett. Plant
Ecology 201(2):411–420.
Woodlands
This study at the Konza Prairie Biological Station LTER
site in northeastern Kansas found that belowground popu- Restoring Rainforest Species by Direct Seeding: Tree
lations of meristems associated with perennating organs Seedling Establishment and Growth Performance on
(the bud bank) mediate the tallgrass prairie response to fire Degraded Land in the Wet Tropics of Australia. 2008.
frequency and grazing. Both forbs and grasses responded Doust, S.J. (Australian Antarctic Divn, Dept of the
to these drivers with altered rates of belowground bud Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Channel
formation and tiller emergence, and short- and long-term Hwy, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia, susan
changes in bud bank density. The size of the grass bud bank .dousst@aad.gov.au), P.D. Erskine and D. Lamb. Forest
was an excellent predictor of long-term aboveground net Ecology and Management 256(5):1178–1188.
The authors reported some success and some caveats from
Ecological Restoration Vol. 28, No. 1, 2010 seeding trials at three degraded former rainforest sites in
ISSN 1522-4740 E-ISSN 1543-4079 northeast Queensland, Australia. Overall, time of seeding
©2010 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
(beginning or end of the wet season) had little effect on
86 • March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28.1tree seedling establishment, although later seeding reduced
weed competition at some sites, benefiting small-seeded,
Wetlands
fast-growing, early-successional species. Large-seeded spe- Sustainable Finance for State and Tribal Wetland
cies showed the most consistent establishment, but their Programs. 2009. Barnes, G. (Environmental Finance
frequently slow growth rate limited their contribution Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill).
to early site capture. The authors concluded that direct 2009. National Wetlands Newsletter 31(4):14–18.
seeding can be successful in rainforest recovery efforts,
but the species used and the timing and circumstances of This article is one of three that address the issue of sustain-
sowing should be tailored to the site, particularly in rela- able finance. Barnes argues that the funding base for state
tion to the extent of weed competition and the level of and tribal wetland programs should be diversified and
site maintenance. presents a framework for sustainable financing illustrated
by examples of innovative approaches. States and tribes
Soil Fertility and the Impact of Exotic Invasion on should first determine the program areas and goals most
Microbial Communities in Hawaiian Forests. 2008. applicable to their particular circumstances and then seek
Kao-Kniffin, J. (Dept of Soil Science, University of all appropriate federal funding. This should be combined
Wisconsin, 1525 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706- with funds generated at state level (from taxes, bonds, or
1299, jtkao@wisc.edu) and T.C. Balser. Microbial fees) or tribal level (e.g., from grants or individual donors).
Ecology 56(1):55–63. Partnership with other government units or nongovern-
mental organizations, besides supplying additional dollars,
The authors investigated whether the invasive plant Hedy-
can improve interagency cooperation and provide expertise,
chium gardnerianum [kahili ginger] altered soil microbial
political capital, and economies of scale.
communities in Hawai’ian forests dominated by the native
tree Metrosideros polymorpha [’ohi’a lehua]. Invasion had North American Wetland Mitigation and Restoration
relatively little impact on the overall microbial community, Policies. 2009. Gardner, R.C. (Inst for Biodiversity Law
although levels of a saprophytic fungal indicator were sig- and Policy, Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport,
nificantly increased under the nutrient-demanding kahili FL 33707, gardner@law.stetson.edu). Wetlands Ecology
ginger when nitrogen or phosphorus was added to older, and Management 17(1):1–2.
highly weathered, phosphorus-limited soils. The authors
concluded that the mere presence of the invasive plant This paper introduces a special issue that examines aspects
did not lead to a large alteration in microbial communi- of wetland mitigation and restoration policy linking sci-
ties. Instead, soil fertility, soil age, and long-term nutrient ence, management, policy, and economics. Clayton Rubec
additions were the major determinants of the general and Alan Hanson summarize Canada’s experience with
rhizosphere microbial community structure. wetland mitigation and compensation in its ten provinces
and three territories. Palmer Hough and Morgan Robertson
Do Restoration Fellings in Protected Forests Increase trace the development of mitigation policies under Section
the Risk of Bark Beetle Damages in Adjacent Forests? 404 of the U.S. Clean Water Act. Then Morgan Robertson
A Case Study from Fennoscandian Boreal Forest. offers two case studies of entrepreneurial wetland mitiga-
2008. Komonen, A. (Dept of Ecology, SLU, Box 7044, tion banks to illustrate the economic, ecological, and
SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden, +46 18 672890, atte regulatory challenges of this approach. Jessica Wilkinson
.komonen@ekol.slu.se) and J. Kouki. Forest Ecology evaluates 38 in-lieu fee programs for the administrative
and Management 255(11):3736–3743. and procedural changes required for compliance with
new federal mitigation regulations. Finally, Kevin Erwin
Gap fellings are used in the Fennoscandian region to mimic
discusses how climate change may affect mitigation policies
wind-induced gap dynamics and promote multicohort
and how restoration projects can contribute to mitigation
structures during restoration of boreal forests. This study
of and adaptation to climate change.
in a Finnish nature reserve tested the relationship between
forest gaps with concomitant woody debris and pine shoot Ecosystems Recovery across a Chronosequence of
beetle (Tomicus spp.) feeding, as measured by the number Restored Wetlands in the Platte River Valley. 2008.
of pine shoots fallen to the ground at various distances from Meyer, C.K. (Center for Ecology, Southern Illinois
gaps. The average density of fallen shoots dropped sharply, University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901-6509,
from 17 shoots/m2 within 10 m of a gap to 4 shoots/m2 50 clintonm@siu.edu), S.G. Bair and M.R. Whiles.
m away. The authors concluded that restoration of natural Ecosystems 11(2):193–208.
forest structures and dynamics to protect biodiversity need
not compromise the health of trees in production forests This study assessed functional recovery in restored wetlands
outside the restoration area, if a 100- to 200-meter buffer of the Platte River Valley, Nebraska, over a three-year
zone is maintained around the gap fellings. period. The authors measured above- and belowground
plant biomass, soil physical and chemical properties, and
March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28:1 • 87carbon and nitrogen pools in sloughs (deeper habitats) and Competitive Abilities of Tamarix aphylla in Southern
margins (higher elevations) of six restored wet meadows Nevada. 2009. Hayes, W.E., II (School of Life Sciences,
and, for comparison, three natural wetlands. They found University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Pkwy,
the most change in structure and function in the upper Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004, willhayes2@hotmail
10 cm of soil during the first decade after restoration, and .com), L.R. Walker and E.A. Powell. Plant Ecology
recovery varied with small differences in elevation and plant 202(1):159–167.
community structure. Because they were correlated with In a nursery experiment, the authors planted all combi-
many other variables, soil organic matter and bulk density nations of one to three rooted cuttings of Athel tamarisk
were good indexes of recovery. These two variables failed (Tamarix aphylla) alone or with one to three cuttings of
to recover in the margins of restored wetlands. saltcedar (T. ramosissima) or the native Goodding’s willow
(Salix gooddingii). Other pots contained only saltcedar or
Lakes, Rivers & Streams Goodding’s willow. Single plants of the willow developed
the highest root-to-shoot ratios and biomass. In combina-
Experimental Evidence for the Conditions Neces- tions, saltcedar and Athel tamarisk both outcompeted the
sary to Sustain Meandering in Coarse-Bedded Rivers. willow, but saltcedar held a slight advantage. This may partly
2009. Braudrick, C.A. (Dept of Earth and Planetary explain why Athel tamarisk is less widespread than its con-
Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, geners, but the authors warn that it may nevertheless be as
xian@berkeley.edu), W.E. Dietrich, G.T. Leverich and serious a threat to riparian ecosystems as saltcedar, especially
L.S. Sklar. PNAS 106(40):16936–16941. considering the propensity of tamarisks to hybridize.
The authors designed channels in the laboratory to explore Rehabilitating China’s Largest Inland River. 2009. Li,
mechanisms at play in meandering rivers. After a stabiliza- Y. (Key Lab of Oasis Ecology and Desert Environment,
tion period, they were able to maintain meandering with Xinjiang Inst of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Acad-
nearly constant channel width during repeated cutoff and emy of Sciences, Urumqi 83001, China, yiqing@hawaii
regeneration of meander bends, while the channel migrated .edu), Y. Chen, Y. Zhang and Y. Xia. Conservation
both laterally and downstream. Enhanced bank strength Biology 23(3):531–536.
relative to sand and deposition of sediment in troughs In 2000, the Chinese government began to release water
between bars and the floodplain were necessary for suc- from upstream dams to restore and protect the dried-up
cessful meandering. Although sinuosity was lower than in lower reaches of the Tarim River. By 2006, groundwater
natural channels, the processes of bar growth, bank erosion, levels and vegetative cover had increased significantly at all
and cutoff were similar to those in gravel bed meanders monitoring sites. The mean canopy size of the endangered
in the field. These results can be used to test theories of bahan (Populus euphratica) had doubled, and some rare
meandering that model inner bank sediment accretion and migratory birds had returned to the restored wetlands.
predict channel width. The biggest challenge is to balance water allocation and
Alternative Reference Frames in River System Science. water rights sustainably between agriculture and conser-
2009. Doyle, M.W. (Dept of Geography, University of vation, to protect both the livelihood of local residents
North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC, mwdoyle@email.unc and the endangered ecosystem. The authors recommend
.edu) and S.H. Ensign. BioScience 59(6):499–510. public education and compensation for users who employ
water-saving practices as part of adaptive water policies and
There is a continuum of reference frames in river system strategies yet to be developed.
science, from observing flux past a point or through a
spatially bounded region (Eulerian) to tracking specific
objects through time (Lagrangian). Most reference frames
are neither purely Eulerian nor purely Lagrangian. Using
Coastal & Marine
sediment transport, fish migration, and river biogeochem- Communities
istry as examples, the authors illustrate how the reference
A Conceptual Model of Coastal Dune Ecology Syn-
frame influences the type of information obtained and the
thesizing Spatial Gradients of Vegetation, Soil, and
new questions generated, and how alternative questions
Geomorphology. 2009. Kim, D. (Dept of Geography,
and perspectives arise from alternative reference frames.
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-
They argue that at a minimum, awareness of the underlying
3147, geokim@geog.tamu.edu) and K.B. Yu. Plant
reference frame for a particular research agenda will increase
Ecology 202(1):135–148.
appreciation of that agenda’s fundamental advantages and
limitations. Western Korea’s Sindu coastal dune has well-developed
foredunes, dune slack, and secondary dunes within an
88 • March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28.1area extending less than 300 m. It is experiencing a rapid cost-effective technique for reforestation and soil conserva-
expansion of invasive species. The authors developed a tion in arid regions. The new planting method was tested
model that visualizes and integrates the causal interactions in a hilly, erosion-prone area of China’s Shaanxi Province
among floristic, edaphic, and topographic data across a using one-year-old bareroot seedlings (14 species) and two-
single dunefield. It should aid the development of dune year-old containerized seedlings (one species). Compared
management strategies—particularly in the dune slack, to conventional planting, the liner technique resulted in
which requires protection of the landform and vegetation a significantly greater ten-year survival for nine species.
of the foredune. Significant increases in branch growth (five species), tenth-
year canopy area (seven species) and canopy density (nine
Bringing Coral Reefs Back From the Living Dead. species) were also seen. For all species, planting with the
2009. Normile, D. Science 325(5940):559–561. liners produced better root distribution at shallow depths
The science of restoring and stabilizing coral reefs is in and greater root mass. The best results were for species least
its infancy, but various approaches are showing promise. able to withstand drought.
Workers in the Philippines break off pieces of healthy coral
and wedge them into cracks in bleached reefs. In Japan, Interacting Effects of Grass Height and Herbivores on
cages containing ceramic disks are placed on the sea floor the Establishment of an Encroaching Savanna Shrub.
to trap larvae; they are then moved to sheltered waters, 2009. Hagenah, N. (Dept of Zoology and Entomology,
where the larvae mature before the disks are cemented into University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa,
bleached reefs. A similar project uses ceramic disks to trap nhagenah@zoology.up.ac.za), H. Munkert, K. Gerhardt
larvae and transplant them to an unhealthy reef. Elsewhere, and H. Olff. Plant Ecology 201(2):553–566.
scientists are studying coral reproduction in the laboratory The leguminous shrub Dichrostachys cinerea invades South
and attempting to establish coral “nurseries.” The challenge African savannas. The authors studied the role of grass
will be to reduce the cost of these efforts and show that height and grazing in D. cinerea establishment at a game
they can be scaled up. park in KwaZulu-Natal. They sowed seeds or transplanted
seedlings of D. cinerea in mesic and arid study plots where
Oysters Booming on New Reefs, But Can They grazing intensity and grass height were manipulated. Seeds
Survive Disease? 2009. Stokstad, E. Science germinated earlier where large herbivores were excluded;
325(5940):525. and the earlier they germinated, the longer they usually
Most efforts to restore native oysters (Crassostrea virginica) survived. Grass clipping increased germination, growth,
in Chesapeake Bay have been relatively unsuccessful, largely and survival—suggesting competitive inhibition, whereas
because the thin layers of shells deposited to create new effects of herbivore exclusion were site-dependent. For
reefs sink and become mud covered within a few years. transplanted seedlings, treatment had no effect on sur-
In 2004, 35 ha of larger reefs were constructed in the vival but growth was greater with clipping. There were
Greater Wicomico River, which drains into the bay. Three also interactions with site. Results show that managers
generations of oysters have inhabited the reefs, which are should consider interactions among grazing, grass cover,
accumulating new shell debris and will likely grow taller— and rainfall.
suggesting that the population may be sustainable. The
concern is whether it will survive a disease caused by the Characterizing the Microhabitats of Exotic Species in
protozoan Haplosporidium nelsoni, which kills many oysters Illinois Shale Barrens. 2009. West, N.M. (School
in the Chesapeake Bay and has already killed some in the of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska–
Greater Wicomico. Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, westn@bigred.unl
.edu), D.J. Gibson and P.R. Minchin. Plant Ecology
200(2):255–265.
Other Communities This study identified a subset of habitats occupied by non-
native species in three southern Illinois shale barrens. Both
A New Tree-Planting Technique to Improve Tree the species found and the factors that characterized their
Survival and Growth on Steep and Arid Land in the habitats varied among sites. Non-native species tended to
Loess Plateau of China. 2008. Cao, S., L. Chen, Z. Liu occupy edges, where soil temperature was relatively low and
and G. Wang (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, litter cover high. Factors that varied among favored habitats
China Agriculture University, Beijing 100094, China, included soil moisture and distance to the nearest tree—not
+86 10 6273 1163, guosheng@cau.edu.cn). Journal of surprising, as different species were involved. The authors
Arid Environments 72(7):1374–1382. suggest that site conditions restrict the establishment of
This paper reports that lining planting holes with bio- non-native plants to a subset of habitats, and knowledge
degradable plastic to retain soil moisture is a promising, of these and which species establish in them can inform
March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28:1 • 89the development of management plans. In general, main-
taining open conditions may discourage encroachment by
Control of Pest Species
non-native species. The Crucial Role of Information Exchange and
Research for Effective Responses to Biological Inva-
sions. 2009. Browne, M. (IUCN Species Survival Com-
Propagation & Introduction mission, Invasive Species Specialist Group, University of
Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand,
The Survival of Captive-Born Animals in Restora-
tion Programmes—Case Study of the Endangered +64 937 375 99 x86814, m.browne@auckland.ac.nz),
European Mink Mustela lutreola. 2009. Maran, T. S. Pagad and M. De Poorter. Weed Research 49(1):6–18.
(Species Conservation Lab, Tallinn Zoological Gar- This paper discusses the growing understanding of how to
dens, Paldiski Rd 145, 13522 Tallinn, Estonia, +372 fight back against invasive species. Prevention, the first line
6943318, tiit.maran@tallinnlv.ee), M. Põdra, M. of defense, requires surveillance (New Zealand’s weed sur-
Põlma and D.W. Macdonald. Biological Conservation veillance system), risk analysis and response (New Zealand’s
142(8):1685–1692. Border Control Programme for freshwater aquatic weeds),
risk assessment (Hawai’i’s Weed Risk Assessment system),
The authors monitored 54 captive-bred, radio-collared
and effective information exchange (Pacific Ant Preven-
European mink released on a Baltic island. Most deaths
tion Programme). Because the environmental impacts
occurred during the first 20 days, and about half of the
of invasive species are complex, an adaptive, ecosystem
animals died within 40 days, but some were caught in
management approach such as the Nature Conservancy’s
live-traps after more than three years. Predation by car-
Global Invasive Species Initiative is necessary. Recognition
nivores and raptors caused more than three-fourths of
of the importance of stakeholder participation as another
the deaths, and female mortality was greater than male
key to success is widening the scope of research to include
mortality. Releasing pregnant females was unsuccessful,
the human dimension of invasive species management.
as the litters disappeared even though the mothers sur-
Global-scale sources of invasive species information are
vived. Recommendations for subsequent releases included
provided.
releasing a higher proportion of females to compensate for
their greater mortality, housing the animals in naturalistic Is Patience a Virtue? Succession, Light, and the Death
enclosures before release to acclimatize them to conditions of Invasive Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus). 2009.
in the wild, and focusing actions to enhance survival on Cunard, C. and T.D. Lee (Dept of Natural Resources,
the first six weeks after release. University of New Hampshire, 215 James Hall, 56
College Rd,/ Durham, NH 03824, tom.lee@unh.edu).
Consequences of Dry-Season Seed Dispersal on
Biological Invasions 11(3):577–586.
Seedling Establishment of Dry Forest Trees: Should
We Store Seeds until the Rains? 2008. Vieira, D.L.M. Factors affecting the persistence of glossy buckthorn (Fran-
(Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Av Beira Mar 3250, Jar- gula alnus) at three sites in southeastern New Hampshire
dins, 49025-040 Aracaju, SE, Brazil, +55 79 4009 1318, forests were evaluated in 26 living and 26 dead shrubs
dvieira@cpatc.embrapa.br), V.V. de Lima, A.C. Sevilha 16–18 years old. Dead buckthorn was associated with
and A. Scariot. Forest Ecology and Management greater basal area of shade-tolerant species, lower photosyn-
256(3):471–481. thetically active radiation in the vicinity of the shrub crown,
and decreased soil concentrations of calcium, phosphorus,
Seeds of eight tree species were sown in a greenhouse in
and magnesium. The authors concluded that once glossy
September (natural dispersal time, dry season) or stored
buckthorn has invaded young forests, light and perhaps
and sown in November (rainy season) under various light
nutrients may limit its survival as the forest matures. Thus
levels and a watering regime simulating the rainfall in a
active removal of the shrub may not be necessary to reduce
central Brazilian dry forest. Germination was differentially
its abundance in late successional stages.
affected by sowing time, light, and their interaction. Ger-
mination and early survival improved with “shade,” but Soil Recovery after Removal of the N2–Fixing Inva-
growth was greater under full light. For seeds having a dor- sive Acacia longifolia: Consequences for Ecosystem
mant period, September sowing under “full sun” did not Restoration. 2009. Marchante, E. (Centre for Func-
reduce germination. November planting was advantageous tional Ecology, Dept of Botany, University of Coimbra,
for establishment of fast-germinating species. However, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portu-
seedling survival rates did not correspond with germination gal, moguita@ci.uc.pt), A. Kjøller, S. Struwe and
rates for most species. The authors concluded that sowing H. Freitas. Biological Invasions 11(4):813–823.
seeds after the dry season might increase the establishment
of fast-germinating species. Areas in the Portuguese coastal dunes invaded by Sydney
golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) for more than 20 years
90 • March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28.1had higher water content and levels of organic carbon and abundance (small arthropods) also decreased along with
total nitrogen than areas invaded for less than ten years. leaf litter. These findings show that earthworm invasions
This was evident more than four years after wattle alone threaten woodland amphibians in the Northeast and that
or wattle and surface litter were removed. The carbon- plant invasions may be a symptom of degraded amphibian
to-nitrogen ratio tended to be lower in recently invaded habitat rather than a cause.
areas, but in neither invaded area did treatment affect the
ratio. Microbial biomass and basal respiration tended to be Effects of a Habitat-Altering Invader on Nesting Spar-
lower in recently invaded areas. Soil properties recovered rows: An Ecological Trap? 2009. Nordby, J.C. (Dept of
more slowly than microbial properties to values approach- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Inst of the Environ-
ing those in noninvaded areas. Management practices for ment, University of California, La Kretz Hall, Ste 300,
restoration of invaded areas, such as reducing nitrogen Box 951496, Los Angeles, CA 90095, nordby@ucla
availability, were discussed. .edu), A.N. Cohen and S.R. Beissinger. Biological
Invasions 11(3):565–575.
We Can Eliminate Invasions or Live with Them. This study documents the effect of non-native Atlan-
Successful Management Projects. 2009. Simberloff, D. tic cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) on nesting success of
(Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University Alameda song sparrows (Melospiza melodia pusillula), a
of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, dsimberloff@utk California Species of Special Concern, in San Francisco
.edu). Biological Invasions 11(1):149–157. Bay tidal marshes. The most important ecological vari-
Simberloff believes there is unnecessary pessimism sur- able determining nesting success was whether the nest was
rounding invasive species control, due partly to widely placed in Atlantic cordgrass. Nests so placed had a success
publicized failures and underpublicizing of successes. He rate 30% lower than nests in native vegetation. Because
cites many examples of successful eradications, such as the the densest stands of cordgrass were at the lowest elevations
Oriental fruit fly (Dacus dorsalis)—Guam; giant African relative to the tides, nests in these stands were the most
snail (Achatina fulica)—south Florida; sandbur (Cenchrus likely to fail during tidal flooding. Thus Atlantic cordgrass
echinatus)—Laysan; and nutria (Myocaster coypus)—Great may be an ecological trap for San Francisco Bay’s song
Britain. Key elements of success are early detection and sparrows, attracting them to sites where nests often fail.
quick action; adequate resources for implementation and
follow-up; an enforcement authority; knowledge of the Effects of Weed-Management Burning on Reptile
target’s vulnerabilities; and persistent project leaders. When Assemblages in Australian Tropical Savannas. 2009.
eradication is not feasible, maintenance management can Valentine, L.E. (School of Natural Sciences, Edith
frequently control a species at low densities. Various eradi- Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia,
cation and management strategies and some issues of leonie.valentine@gmail.com) and L. Schwarzkopf.
prevention are discussed. Conservation Biology 23(1):103–113.
Reptile assemblages in riparian and adjacent woodland
habitats were evaluated before and after burning to control
Wildlife Habitat rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) invasions. Within 12
months the skink Carlia munda was more abundant in
Declines in Woodland Salamander Abundance Asso- burned sites, but overall reptile assemblages were associated
ciated with Non-native Earthworm and Plant Inva-
with habitat type rather than burning. Within three years,
sions. 2009. Maerz, J.C. (Warnell School of Forestry
however, the gecko Heteronotia binoei was rarely observed
and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, in dry-season burned sites, litter-associated species were
GA 30602, jmaerz@warnell.uga.edu), V.A. Nuzzo and rarely seen in any burned habitat, and wet-season burned
B. Blossey. Conservation Biology 23(4):975–981. sites had fewer species, suggesting that fire reduces resource
To see whether plant or earthworm invasions were associ- availability for some species. Because both invasive plants
ated with amphibian declines, a mark–recapture study of and burning for weed control can adversely affect native
woodland salamander abundance was conducted in five biodiversity, land managers must identify the most desired
New York forests invaded by garlic mustard (Alliaria peti- conservation goal and consider ways to mitigate undesired
olata) and five Pennsylvania forests invaded by Japanese consequences.
barberry (Berberis thunbergii). Traps were set on each side
of the plant-invasion front. There was no independent
significant relationship between invasive plant cover and
salamander abundance. However, salamander abundance
had a direct exponential relationship with leaf litter volume,
which decreased as earthworm biomass increased. Prey
March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28:1 • 91Ecological Dynamics influences their reproductive potential. For neither species
was seed production related to distance from nearest neigh-
Soil Microbial Communities and Restoration bor, nor was there an effect of distance on seed germination
Ecology: Facilitators or Followers? 2009. Harris, rate. Outcrossing rates varied from 5% to 100%, but again,
J. (Dept of Natural Resources, Cranfield University, there was no significant relationship between outcrossing
Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK). Science and isolation distance. The authors concluded that pol-
325(5940):573–574. lination systems in fragmented and degraded landscapes
can be more resilient than previously thought, and even
Although measurements of the soil microbial community isolated trees of the species studied produce enough high-
accurately describe the status of restored systems relative to quality seed to contribute to restoration and ecosystem
target systems, it is not always clear whether the microbial functioning.
community is driving recovery or following it. For example,
when intensive land use is decreased, the ratio of fungal
to bacterial biomass increases as more complex organic
matter enters the soil and succession proceeds, suggesting
Tools & Technology
that the microbial community follows what is happening Mapping Northern Wetlands with High Resolution
aboveground. However, establishing an appropriate mycor- Satellite Images and LiDAR. 2009. Maxa, M. and
rhizal community may be a prerequisite for establishing P. Bolstad (Dept of Forest Resources, University of
a target plant assemblage; in this case, the fungal com- Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, pbolstad@umn.edu).
munity drives recovery. More research is needed on the Wetlands 29(1):248–260.
role of the soil biological community and its interactions The authors evaluated the accuracy of Wisconsin Wetland
with aboveground components and abiotic factors in the Inventory (WWI) maps and maps obtained from high-
context of restoration. resolution satellite (IKONOS) images and LiDAR (Light
Modes of Crown Vetch Invasion and Persistence. Detection and Ranging) data against data obtained from
2009. Losure, D.A., K.A. Moloney and B.J. Wilsey field visits, for a wetland in northern Wisconsin. The WWI
(39034 105th St, Frederick, SD 57441, david maps, based on a vegetation and hydrology classification
.losure@nd.usda.gov). American Midland Naturalist derived from aerial photographs, underestimated both
161(2):232–242. the number and extent of wetlands and were less accurate
than IKONOS/LiDAR maps (56% vs. 74.5%) in clas-
The authors characterized the spatial age structure in sev- sifying areas according to WWI categories (e.g., water,
eral crownvetch (Coronilla varia) patches at two sites in wet meadow, evergreen shrub). The IKONOS/LiDAR
Iowa by counting annual growth rings in roots. They also maps better distinguished between upland and wetland
examined sexual and vegetative reproduction through seed classes—largely owing to LiDAR’s ability to provide accu-
bank sampling and greenhouse experiments. They found rate elevation data—and among the wetland classes. The
little spatial age structuring (most roots being two or three most common confusion in both maps was among lowland
years old), although younger roots tended to occur near coniferous species and among shrub classes.
the patch edge. There was no evidence of a large seed bank.
However, there were extensive underground rhizome sys- Plant Bar Code Soon to Become Reality. 2009.
tems, indicating prolific vegetative spread, and even small Thomas, C. Science 325(5940):526.
rhizome fragments could regenerate. It appears that while “Bar coding,” or using specific genetic sequences for identi-
crownvetch invasions may be initiated by seed, vegetative fication of species and genera, is well advanced for animals
reproduction is the major factor in the persistence and but has lagged for plants. A successful bar code would
resilience of established patches. open the way for large-scale systematic projects. Recently,
Predicting Reproductive Success of Insect- versus sequences from two chloroplast genes have been proposed
Bird-Pollinated Scattered Trees in Agricultural Land- as the official plant bar code. Overall they assign 72% of
scapes. 2009. Ottewell, K.M. (School of Earth and plants to the correct species and 100% to the correct genus,
Environmental Science, University of Adelaide, North and many investigators have already begun to use them.
Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia, +61 8 Research continues to find better reagents for recogniz-
8303 3946, kym.ottewell@adelaide.edu.au), S.C. ing the targeted genetic sequence. The success of existing
Donnellan, A.J. Lowe and D.C. Paton. Biological reagents ranges from 90% for flowering plants to about
Conservation 142(4):888–898. 80% for cone-bearing plants to only 10% for plants such
as ferns and mosses.
The authors asked whether increasing isolation of two
Australian eucalypts, Eucalyptus camaldulensis (insect pol-
linated) and E. leucoxylon (bird and insect pollinated)
92 • March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28.1Climate Change University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556,
hellman.3@nd.edu). PNAS 106(27):11160–11165.
Responses of Insect Pests, Pathogens, and Invasive Growth-chamber and field experiments tested whether
Plant Species to Climate Change in the Forests of peripheral poleward populations of a species might drive
Northeastern North America: What Can We Pre- range change as climate warms. Propertius duskywing
dict? 2009. Dukes, J.S. (Dept of Forestry and Natural (Erynnis propertius) and anise swallowtail (Paplio zelicaon)
Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, butterflies differ in host specialization and interpopulation
dukes@stanfordalumni.org), J. Pontius, D. Orwig, J.R. genetic differentiation. Summer temperatures of the range
Garnas, V.L. Rodgers et al. Canadian Journal of Forest center enhanced summer performance of all duskywing
Research 39(2):231–248. populations, but warmer winter temperatures reduced
Ecological principles predict at varying confidence levels survivorship and fitness, counteracting the summer benefit
how future climates may affect the range and consequences for peripheral populations adapted to colder winters. Lack
of problem species in North American forests. Hemlock of host plants would also prevent this species’ poleward
woolly aphids (Adelges tsugae) will very likely spread unim- expansion. The fitness of all anise swallowtail populations
peded, but predictive uncertainty for forest tent caterpillars decreased under extreme summer temperatures at the range
(Malacosoma disstria) is moderate. Root rot fungi (Armil- center; interactions between temperature and host plants
laria spp.) are unlikely to increase their range, but their also mediated the fitness of peripheral populations. The
consequence for climate-stressed trees within their range authors conclude that facilitation of poleward range shifts
is moderately certain to be dire. Both range and impact of by enhancement of peripheral populations is unlikely in
the scale insect (Cryptococcus fagisuga) and its associated either species.
fungi (Neonectria spp.) that cause beech bark disease are
moderately certain to increase greatly. Oriental bittersweet
(Celastrus orbiculatus) is expected to increase its range but Management & Monitoring
not its impact, whereas neither range nor impact of glossy A Realistic Assessment of the Indicator Potential
buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is likely to increase; confi- of Butterflies and Other Charismatic Taxonomic
dence in these predictions is low. More quantitative and Groups. 2009. Fleishman, E. (National Center for
geographically relevant projections are needed. Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, 735 State St, Ste
Modeling of Sea-Level Rise and Deforestation in 300, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, fleishman@nceas.
Submerging Coastal Ultisols of Chesapeake Bay. ucsb.edu) and D.D. Murphy. Conservation Biology
2009. Hussein, A.H. (24 Marshall Dr, Egg Harbor 23(5):1109–1116.
Township, NJ 08234, pedon@dnamail.com). SSSAJ The authors state that probably few individual species or
73(1):185–196. groups of species provide scientifically valid, cost-effective
Hussein has developed a model for determining the past, measures of an environmental phenomenon that is dif-
present, and future rates of lateral migration of coastal ficult to measure directly. However, some species have
marshes and sequestration of nutrients based on the trans- distributions, abundances, or demographic characteristics
formation of forest soils to marsh soils. Applicable on a that respond to known environmental changes. These
regional scale, it has important environmental implications. can be satisfactory indicators if what they are indicating
For two Maryland coastal marshes, the rate of sea level rise is defined explicitly, ecological relationships between this
increased approximately from 0.82 to 2.4 mm/y in the last “target” and the potential indicator are well understood,
200 years; the rate of lateral marsh migration (deforesta- and there are enough data to distinguish between causal
tion) increased from 0.18–1.27 to 3.5–6.8 m/y, and the and chance responses. These situations exist, but are less
predicted rate for the next century ranges up to 33 m/y. common than would appear from the public appeal–driven
Up to two centuries may be needed for the transformation acclaim of and abundant literature concerning charismatic
of forest soils to marsh soils. On this basis, the nutrient taxa as indicators.
sequestration potential of new marshes is only half the Ecological and Socioeconomic Correlates of Plant
capacity of existing marshes. Invasions in Denmark: The Utility of Environmental
Translocation Experiments with Butterflies Reveal Assessment Data. 2009. Thiele, J. (Dept of Agriculture
Limits to Enhancement of Poleward Populations and Ecology, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej
under Climate Change. 2009. Pelini, S.L., J.D.K. 21, 1958 Frederiksberg C., Denmark, jat@life.ku.dk),
Dzurisin, K.M. Prior, C.M. Williams, T.D. Marsico, B.J. J. Kollmann and U.R. Andersen. Ambio 38(2):89–94.
Sinclair and J.J. Hellmann (Dept of Biological Sciences, The authors examined the distribution of non-native plant
invasions at more than 1,200 sites representing eight habitat
March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28:1 • 93types in relation to site-specific factors (e.g., area, proxim- and adult females, but no significant changes for males or
ity to roads) and factors operative over a larger spatial juveniles. Capture rates for adult females were related to
scale (e.g., human population, nitrogen deposition). The the availability of hard mast the previous year and soft mast
most invaded habitat types were ruderal sites, heathlands, in the current year, suggesting that the energy requirement
and man-made habitats; the least invaded were riparian of reproduction makes breeding females most vulnerable
habitats and swamps. The number of invasive species was to food limitation. Although numbers of summer-trapped
positively associated with disturbance, proximity to traffic juveniles increased with warmer temperatures the preced-
corridors, and sulfur deposition (indicating urbanization) ing winter, female summer-capture rates decreased with
and negatively associated with income tax rate and nitrogen warmer spring temperatures, suggesting that the effects of
deposition (indicating agricultural land use). The authors warming may pose a threat to this species.
concluded that in Denmark, plant invasions are largely an
anthropogenic phenomenon and suggested that this sort of Restoring Landscapes of Fear with Wolves in the
data would be useful in predicting invasions and planning Scottish Highlands. 2009. Manning, A.D. (Fenner
management programs. School of Environment and Society, Australian
National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia,
+61 2 6125 55415, adrian.manning@anu.edu.au), I.J.
Urban Restoration Gordon and W.J. Ripple. Biological Conservation
142(10):2314–2321.
Back to Its Roots: Manhattan Salt Marsh Restoration Wolves (Canis lupus) have been absent from the Scottish
Brings Nurture to Urban Nature. 2009. Drusano, S.
Highlands for at least 250 years, making it difficult to assess
(The Cannon Group, sdrusano@thecannongroup.us). the feasibility of their reintroduction to control native red
Land & Water 53(1):44–47. deer (Cervus elaphus). One option would be to observe
Drusano describes a 0.4 ha salt marsh constructed at analogous ecosystems elsewhere, where wolves exist.
Randall’s Island. The first concern was achieving proper Another would be controlled reintroduction experiments
elevations to accommodate the differing water require- in the area of interest as a forerunner to full introduction.
ments and salt tolerance of species to be planted. Then, Because wolves affect deer populations by both preying on
after construction of protective berms and establishment deer and causing deer to avoid wolf-inhabited areas, fewer
of an undulating grade to improve drainage and regulate wolves may be needed than indicated by predator–prey
flooding, the East River tide could properly flood the models. The authors recommend research on the lethal
marsh and planting could begin. Species such as smooth and nonlethal effects of wolves on deer and restoration in
cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and spike grass (Distichlis the Scottish Highlands and set out a long-term strategy to
spicata) were selected for the lowest elevations. Groundsel provide ecological evidence for decisionmakers considering
tree (Baccharis halmifolia), seaside goldenrod (Solidago the reintroduction of wolves.
sempervirens), and lavender thrift (Limonium carolinia-
num) were planted higher because they thrive in dry, salty Use of Monitoring Data and Population Viability
conditions. Drusano discusses things that would be done Analysis to Inform Reintroduction Decisions: Per-
differently “next time” and how the project fits into larger egrine Falcons in the Midwestern United States. 2009.
plans to rejuvenate Randall Island. Wakamiya, S.M. (Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
National Military Park, 120 Chatham Ln, Fredericks-
burg, VA 22405, 540/654-5538, sarah_wakamiya@
Endangered Species nps.gov) and C.L. Roy. Biological Conservation
142(8):1767–1776.
Mast and Weather Influences on Population Trends of
The authors evaluated 18 reintroduction models for the
a Species of Concern: The Allegheny Woodrat. 2009.
American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) plus
Manjerovic, M.B., P.B. Wood (U.S. Geological Survey
a no-reintroduction situation. Considering habitat and
West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
demographic parameters, they simulated scenarios with
Unit, Div of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Vir-
various cohort sizes, supplementation schedules, and
ginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, pbwood@
number of reintroduction sites. Although the peregrine
wvu.edu) and J.W. Edwards. American Midland
falcon remains restricted to urban areas and has not yet
Naturalist 162(1):52–61.
recolonized natural cliffs in much of the lower Midwest, the
The authors investigated possible factors in the decline of population is not in danger of extinction, and the model
the Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) in northcentral suggested that cliff recolonization is likely to occur without
West Virginia. Using data from five years of trapping, reintroduction. Even the most cost-effective strategy would
they found a yearly decrease in numbers of total woodrats result in only two additional breeding pairs in the southern
94 • March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28.1Illinois study area. The authors conclude that management In northern Europe, ecosystem disservices (ecosystem
funds would be best used for habitat preservation, relying functions perceived as negative for human well-being)
on natural dispersal for recolonization. are increasingly influencing how urban green areas are
experienced, valued, used, managed, and developed. Such
disservices include 1) direct costs of damage from bird excre-
Economics & Ecosystem ment, tree roots, or animal nesting holes; maintenance
Services problems or unwanted shading by tall trees; and control
of invasive species and 2) indirect costs from prevention of
Ecology in Times of Scarcity. 2009. Day, J.W., Jr (Dept more profitable use of space. Both ecosystem disservices
of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, School of the and urban ecosystems are continuously changing, compli-
Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, cating the management of urban green areas. The authors
Baton Rouge, johnday@lsu.edu), C.A. Hall, A. Yáñez- state that the concept of ecosystem services can be a more
Arancibia, D. Pimentel and W.J. Mitsch. BioScience useful management tool if disservices are properly assessed.
59(4):321–331.
Restoration of Ecosystem Services for Environmental
The authors argue that energy scarcity, climate change, Markets. 2009. Palmer, M.A. (Chesapeake Biological
resource depletion, and population growth will drastically Lab, University of Maryland Center for Environmental
affect ecology and its role in society. The human economy Science, Solomons, MD 20688, mpalmer@umd.edu)
will become more dependent on ecosystem services, and and S. Filoso. Science 325(5940):575–576.
ecology’s primary role will be the sustainable management
Ecosystem service markets can potentially help solve envi-
of ecosystems. Both restoration and preservation will be
ronmental problems, especially if they provide incentives
important. Energy-intensive micromanagement will not
for conservation. However, the authors are concerned
be feasible; rather, ecological engineering and self-design
that interest in ecosystem markets supplied by restoration
will be appropriate bases for sustainable management.
is ahead of the science and practice of restoration. They
Ecological research will emphasize applied research on
point out the frequent failure of restorations to provide the
highly productive ecosystems, including agroecosystems.
full suite of ecological services and the need to understand
The Mississippi-Ohio-Missouri River basin is discussed
why this is so. Until we can improve restoration success and
as an example of a degraded area that will require energy-
understand why only direct measurements of the biophysi-
efficient restoration and sustainable management based on
cal processes that support ecosystem services can guarantee
ecosystem functioning.
the success of environmental markets, such markets can
Costs of Alien Invasive Species in Sweden. 2009. actually accelerate environmental degradation.
Gren, I.-M. (Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, SE 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden, ing-marie
.gren@ekon.slu.se), L. Isacs and M. Carlsson. Ambio Education
38(3):135–140.
Training Tomorrow’s Environmental Problem Solv-
The authors calculated the costs of 13 non-native invasive ers: An Integrative Approach to Graduate Education.
species classified as threats to Swedish aquatic ecosystems, 2009. Moslemi, J.M. (Dept of Ecology and Evolution-
terrestrial biodiversity, human health, forests, or “other.” ary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, jmm257@
Taxonomic groups from mammals to the HIV virus were cornell.edu), K.A. Capps, M.S. Johnson, J. Maul, P.B.
represented. The estimated annual cost to Sweden was McIntyre et al. BioScience 59(6):514–521.
1,620 million to 5,080 million SEK (roughly US$227 mil-
Solutions to environmental problems require an interdis-
lion to US$711 million), or 175–565 SEK per capita—the
ciplinary approach for which traditional scientists are not
same order of magnitude as costs for programs address-
prepared. Here, students from Cornell’s Biogeochemis-
ing climate change and eutrophication in the Baltic Sea.
try and Environmental Biocomplexity Program (BEB)
These estimates are similar to estimates for other countries,
describe their training, contrasting it with that of students
although costs for the agricultural and forestry sectors
in traditional programs. The BEP students, from multiple
dominate in most studies whereas costs in Sweden are more
departments and institutes, have the advantage of mentors
evenly divided among categories.
and resources from many departments; visiting scientists
Hopping on One Leg—The Challenge of Ecosystem with diverse expertise; significant input to and control
Disservices for Urban Green Management. 2009. of their training; creative workshops, retreats, and other
Lyytimäki, J. (+358 400 148 856, jari.lyytimaki@ networking opportunities; and varied funding sources and
ymparisto.fi) and M. Sipilä. Urban Forestry & Urban internships. The perceived benefits of their program include
Greening 8(4):309–315. broadened scientific perspectives and understanding of
March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28:1 • 95scientific concepts, improved ability to collaborate and condition. It calls for environmentally sensitive channel
communicate with others, “belonging” to a diverse social work, a vortex weir, stone and coir blanket revetments,
and scientific community, and increased self-confidence. erosion control and stabilization with blanketing and native
plants, hard armoring, and natural area restoration. Phase 1
The Professional Science Master’s: The MBA for restores 1.6 km of creek connecting the two sports venues.
Science. 2009. Musante, S. (AIBS, smusante@aibs.org). Despite daunting problems, ecology and goodwill continue
BioScience 59(4):285. to unite the disparate groups in a common purpose.
Musante discusses the Professional Science Master’s degree
(PSM) as an alternative terminal degree to the PhD for Successfully Implementing a Citizen-Scientist
those interested in nonacademic careers in the biological Approach to Insect Monitoring in a Resource-
sciences. An increasing number of students are enrolled in Poor Country. 2009. Braschler, B. (DST-NRF
these programs at numerous institutions. The programs Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, South
require both business courses and credits in a specific Africa, b.braschler@sheffield.ac.uk). BioScience
scientific discipline, and an internship or other practi- 59(2):103–104.
cal experience. This emphasis on interdisciplinary, real- South Africa’s Iimbovane Outreach Project (academic.sun
world learning promotes productive interaction between .ac.za/Iimbovane) combines biodiversity monitoring with
academia, government, and industry. education by training high school teachers and students to
collect and report data on ant assemblages. The data are
Botanical Literacy: What and How Should Students used to address ecological questions like whether plant
Learn about Plants? 2009. Uno, G.E. (Dept of Botany diversity in the Cape Floristic Region is reflected by ants
and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, (which play a central role in seed dispersal), and they help
OK 73019, guno@ou.edu). American Journal of South Africa to fulfill its monitoring and education obliga-
Botany 96(10):1753–1759. tions under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The
Uno maintains that the study of plants suffers from tech- project is noteworthy for overcoming common obstacles
nologically advanced but intellectually disengaged students, to citizen science in resource-poor countries, bringing the
poor instruction, and infrequent precollege exposure to citizen-science approach to sectors of society otherwise
plants or botany; but the popularity of gardening and unlikely to participate in biodiversity monitoring.
importance of agriculture, burgeoning interest in biofuels,
and concern for the environment suggest a “disconnect.” Are We Missing the Boat? Collaborative Solutions
Learning theory supports his advocacy of inquiry-based for North American Fish Wars. 2009. Gleason, M.
instruction for all science courses. For botanical literacy, (The Nature Conservancy California, 99 Pacific St,
both precollege and college teachers should use examples Suite 200G, Monterey, CA 93940, mgleason@tnc.org),
from plants, rather than animals, to illustrate biological C. Cook, M. Bell and E. Feller. Conservation Biology
concepts. Also, to prepare botanically literate citizens, 23(5):1065–1067.
teachers should use students’ misconceptions to advan- In this editorial, the authors state that despite progress, new
tage and emphasize critical thinking, process skills, and collaborative partnerships and innovative business models
an understanding of concepts rather than simply learning are still needed to safeguard North America’s fisheries. They
botanical content. believe that fisheries policy relies too heavily on top-down
management and too little on the best available science,
and collaborative solutions are impeded by the competing
Collaborations interests of stakeholders. Casualties of the resulting “fish
wars” are consumers, the environment, coastal communi-
Getting Everyone to “Play Ball”: Ecology Took the ties, and small-scale fishers. However, long-term economic
Lead and Made Peace between Some Very Disparate viability requires healthy stocks and marine habitats, setting
Stakeholders. 2008. Land & Water 52(5):40–45. the stage for partnerships between environmental NGOs
The restoration of the Johnson Creek watershed in Arling- and fishers. Several of these nascent partnerships are dis-
ton, Texas, is an unlikely story of collaboration among the cussed. The authors conclude that the greatest impediment
Dallas Cowboys football team, the Texas Rangers baseball to fishery reform is the unwillingness of key stakeholders
club, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local politicians to work together.
and developers, citizen and environmental groups, and
an ecological consulting company. These partners agreed
to replace a 1999 flood-control plan that failed to address
erosion, sedimentation, and damaged recreation potential
with a plan stressing improvement of the creek’s ecological
96 • March 2010 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION 28.1You can also read
