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Ecological engineering
Elsevier Science B.V.
Ecological engineering

Elsevier Science B.V.

0925-8574

Ecological engineering/Journal Ecological engineeringSCIISTPEI
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    Post-fire restoration effectiveness using two soil preparation techniques and different shrubs species in pine forests of South-Eastern Spain

    Garcia Matallana, RubenEsteban Lucas-Borja, ManuelElena Gomez-Sanchez, MariaUddin, S. M. Mijan...
    9页
    查看更多>>摘要：Wildfires completely remove the vegetal cover, affect plant diversity and promote soil erosion in the forest ecosystems. Reforestation is essential to recover these important forest components, also in view of the forecasted climate change. Clear indications about suitable soil preparation techniques and a cautious choice of the planted species for successful reforestation actions are needed by forest managers. To improve this knowledge, this study, carried out seven years after a wildfire in a forest area of Central-Eastern Spain, evaluates: i) the short-term effectiveness of a post-fire reforestation work on growth and diversity of planted species, using ten types of shrubs and two soil preparation techniques (machinery planting spot, MPS, and linear subsoiling, LS); ii) the short-term effects of MPS and LS techniques on naturally regenerated plants. In the reforestation work, four of the ten planted species (Pistacia lentiscus L., O. europaea var. sylvestris L., Rhamnus lycioides L., Rosmarinus officinalis L.) showed the highest survival rate, while all individuals of E. fragilis Desf., Arbutus unedo L., Viburnum tinus L., and P. angustifolia L. were dead. Our results showed that P. lentiscus L. and O. europaea var. sylvestris were the species with the highest abundance in the soils treated with MPS and LS, respectively. In relation to naturally regenerated plants, higher number and height of plants were found in areas treated with LS. Both soil treatments influenced the plant diversity, although the species richness decreased in the treated soils compared to the burned and not treated areas. Overall, this study suggests that P. lentiscus appears as the most suitable reforestation species under the experimental conditions. Moreover, soil preparation is not ideal for reforestation after a wildfire, due to the lower regeneration, survival, and species richness found in treated plots in comparison to the burned and not treated areas.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Effects of shading and site conditions on vegetative and generative growth of a native grassland invader

    Krieger, Marie-ThereseDitton, JuliaAlbrecht, HaraldLinderl, Luise...
    9页
    查看更多>>摘要：Changes in grassland management lead to alterations in community structure and can facilitate rapid expansion of both non-native and native invaders. Light availability differs greatly depending on grassland density, and competition for light is an important component of species dynamics. In this study, we examined if light reduction is an effective method to suppress a native invader in pre-alpine meadows of low to moderate land-use intensity. Our study focused on the effects of shading and other site conditions on vegetative and generative growth of Jacobaea aquatica, a poisonous hemicryptophyte regionally spreading in C Europe. We hypothesized that negative shade effects occur in addition to suppression by high grassland productivity, moist climate and less intense management. Furthermore, we postulated that shading affects vegetative growth more than reproduction. To understand the effects of shading we conducted a greenhouse experiment with plants grown under different shading nets. These results were compared to data gathered from 20 field sites that represented a distinct gradient in grassland management and shading. Overall, performance of generative J. aquatica plants was reduced by shading in the greenhouse, while density of vegetative plants was reduced in the field. In the greenhouse, plants affected by shading had significantly fewer flower heads and slightly smaller rosettes. Under field conditions, shading effects occurred together with additional environmental factors, while density of vegetative plants was significantly reduced by shading. Our data show that while realising high shading effects in the field is hard to accomplish, light reduction still has an influence on plant performance and population density, and could therefore be used to suppress the invasive native J. aquatica. In low to moderate intensity grasslands, suppression can be achieved by delaying the first mowing, thus enhancing shading. We conclude that manipulating environmental filters to increase resource competition is recommended as an alternative management tool to control the abundance of invasive native plants in grassland.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Solving hindered groundwater dynamics in restored tidal marshes by creek excavation and soil amendments: A model study

    Van Putte, NielsMeire, PatrickSeuntjens, PietJoris, Ingeborg...
    15页
    查看更多>>摘要：Groundwater fluxes in tidal marshes largely control key ecosystem functions and services, such as vegetation growth, soil carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. In tidal marshes restored on formerly embanked agricultural land, groundwater fluxes are often limited as compared to nearby natural marshes, as a result of historical agricultural soil compaction. To improve the functioning of restored tidal marshes, knowledge is needed on how much certain design options can optimize soil-groundwater interactions in future restoration projects. Based on measured data on soil properties and tidally induced groundwater dynamics, we calibrated and evaluated a 2D vertical model of a creek-marsh cross-section, accounting for both saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow and solute transport in a variably saturated groundwater flow model. We found that model simulations of common restoration practices such as soil amendments (increasing the depth of porous soil on top of the compact layer) and creek excavation (increasing the creek density) increase the soil aeration depth and time, the drainage depth and the solute flux, and decrease the residence time of solutes in the porewater. Our simulations indicate that increasing the depth to the compact layer from 20 cm to 40 cm, or increasing the creek density from 1 creek to 2 creeks along a 50 m marsh transect (while maintaining the total creek cross-sectional area), in both cases more than doubles the volume of water processed by the marsh soil. We discuss that this may stimulate nutrient cycling. As such, our study demonstrates that groundwater modelling can support the design of marsh restoration measures aiming to optimize groundwater fluxes and related ecosystem services.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Using dredged sediments to support wetland plant development in a constructed delta lake

    van Riel, M. C.Vonk, J. A.Verdonschot, R. C. M.Munoz, J. F. Ferrus...
    8页
    查看更多>>摘要：Restoration efforts take place at large scales to improve the ecological value of degraded, modified river deltas. To anticipate on the implications of using dredged, estuarine sediment to restore wetlands in river deltas, we studied the development of Typha latifolia (cattail) and Phragmites australis (common reed) on two designated dredged sediments, virgin Holocene clay (clay) and eroded clay (mud), under different water levels (inundated, saturated, and moist) in a mesocosm experiment. The mud sediment contained about two times higher Fe, S, and P content and four times higher N-total content compared to clay sediment. The organic content was comparable for both sediments. Sediment type influenced germination and shoot growth of T. latifolia, which were both higher on clay compared to mud, but did not influence germination and initial growth of P. australis. Water level treatment effects on plant response were limited to inundation conditions only; this condition strongly reduced P. australis seedling and shoot development. Both species developed significantly more above-and belowground biomass when growing in mud compared to clay, however, their nutrient content was comparable on both sediment types. Overall, T. latifolia development was more strongly influenced by sediment composition compared to P. australis, but the latter species is more vulnerable to higher water levels during early stages of development. We conclude that both dredged sediment types are suitable as sediment for developing macrophyte vegetation.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Ecological connectivity of the upper Rho<SIC>ne River: Upstream fish passage at two successive large hydroelectric dams for partially migratory species

    David, GrimardiasCeline, ChasserieauMorgane, BeaufilsFranck, Cattaneo...
    13页
    查看更多>>摘要：The restoration of migration pathways for fish is crucial for the maintenance of populations in a worldwide context of increasing river fragmentation due to the development of dams. Studies aiming at quantifying fish passage at dams through fishway efficiency estimates concern few species, mostly diadromous. Data are lacking regarding most potamodromous species, despite their need to move to complete their life cycles. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of two vertical slot fishways for upstream fish migration on two consecutive run-of-the-river hydropower dams (Verbois and Chancy-Pougny) on the Rho<SIC>ne River. Radiotelemetry and PIT-tagging were used together (1) to describe the behaviour of fish under the dams and (2) to quantify entrance probability and passage efficiency of the fishways, for three potamodromous, partially migratory species, comprising of two cyprinids (Barbus barbus and Squalius cephalus) and one salmonid (Salmo trutta). The study revealed that fish preferentially moved upstream of the dam beside the gates, independently of their opening, rather than in the main flow of the turbines. While the passability of fishways did not differ among species (68% for all species), the attractiveness was dependent on the dam/fishway, the species and some individual char-acteristics such as fish body length and condition. A few fish remained below the gates or near the fishway for a long time, up to several months, without being able to detect the entrance. Overall, results revealed a lower efficiency of the fishways for trout than for the two cyprinids. Attraction was pointed out as the major limiting factor to the efficiency of the Verbois fishway for barbel and trout. Overall, results suggested to better account for fish motivation (migratory behaviour) to assess fishway efficiency for these species.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Influence of growth media on the biomechanical properties of the fibrous roots of two contrasting vetiver grass species

    Likitlersuang, SuchedTrung Nghia PhanBoldrin, DavidLeung, Anthony Kwan...
    6页
    查看更多>>摘要：Different artificial (non-soil) growth media have been used to cultivate plants for measuring their root biomechanical properties and estimating root reinforcement to soil. However, the effect of growth media on root tensile strength and Young's modulus has rarely been investigated. We studied the effects of three contrasting growth media (hydroponic, rice husk ash, and lateritic soil) on the biomechanical properties of the fibrous roots of two contrasting vetiver species (Chrysopogon nemoralis and Chrysopogon zizanioides). After growing in the different media for 7 weeks, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of both species were measured via uniaxial tensile tests. Roots grown in the ash were the strongest (10.21 +/-& nbsp;0.8 and 9.46 +/- 1.1 MPa for C. nemoralis and C. zizanioides, respectively) and stiffest (275.98 +/-& nbsp;20.6 and 172.74 +/-& nbsp;26.3 MPa, respectively), followed by those grown in the soil (9.1 & nbsp;+/- 0.9 and 6.18 +/-& nbsp;0.5 MPa for strength; 182.3 +/- 16.9 and 81.88 & PLUSMN; 5.3 MPa for modulus) and then those grown hydroponically (5.99 +/- 0.5 and 5.87 +/- 0.5 MPa for strength; 107.06 +/- 10.8 and 82.13 +/- 7.8 MPa for modulus). Irrespective of the growth treatments, root strength and modulus were correlated with root diameter by a negative power law model (R-2 ranged between 0.11 and 0.68; p-value < 0.05). The shape and scale factors of the strength-diameter and modulus-diameter correlations were different among the growth treatments. We caution the use of the tensile properties of roots grown in artificial media and laboratory conditions for predicting root reinforcement to natural soil on slopes.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Meta-analysis of the removal of trace organic contaminants from constructed wetlands: Conditions, parameters, and mechanisms

    Yan, JunHu, XuebinChen, MengliZhang, Junmao...
    12页
    查看更多>>摘要：Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a promising technique to mitigate trace organic contaminants (TrOCs). The current review used meta-analysis to investigate the TrOC removal in CWs on the basis of 92 selected paper and 2373 observations. The results indicated no regular trend shown for the TrOC removal by using logPow or pKa, whereas TrOCs with molecular weight greater than 358.60 g mol(- 1) were found generally more recalcitrant than smaller molecules. It was found that solid-water distribution coefficient (logD) can be effective in distinguishing the readily removable TrOCs. Moreover, different patterns of TrOC removal were found correlated with CW conditions (i.e., CW type, CW scale, CW vegetation, and influent type and quality). By quadratic curves fittings, parameters including pH, DO, Eh, TrOC initial concentration, and CW operational time were found to determine the removal efficiency of TrOCs, whereas logD, COD, NH4+-N, and TP were found to be linked to TrOC removal only if the CW conditions were specified. These results also suggested that single factors can hardly determine the fate of TrOCs in CWs. However, some universal patterns could exist for the determination. More attention should be placed in diminishing the scale bias in the future.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Protection and guidance of downstream moving fish with horizontal bar rack bypass systems

    Meister, JulianSelz, Oliver M.Beck, ClaudiaPeter, Armin...
    15页
    查看更多>>摘要：During their life cycle, fish carry out distinct movements within rivers and migrate upstream and downstream to reproduce, to feed, and to shelter in refuge habitats. During downstream movements, they can incur severe injuries that may be lethal directly or indirectly over time when passing through hydropower plants or when being entrained at other water intakes. Horizontal bar rack bypass systems are a state-of-the-art technology to protect and guide downstream moving fish towards a reasonably safe corridor around water intakes. They have been in operation at multiple hydropower plants for more than a decade, but only little is known about the potential fish protection and guidance efficiencies and the fine scale reactions of different fish species when encountering such racks. To resolve this, systematic live fish laboratory tests were conducted under various hydraulic conditions involving a diverse assemblage of riverine fish species differing in their swimming behavior and morphology. Six riverine species, namely spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus), barbel (Barbus barbus), nase (Chondrostoma nasus), brown trout (Salmo trutta fario), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and European eel (Anguilla anguilla) were tested with a rack consisting of foil-shaped bars, clear bar spacings of 15 and 20 mm, a horizontal rack angle of 30 & nbsp; to the flow direction, and a full depth open channel bypass. Variations in fish behavior were observed between different species and hydraulic conditions, but the results suggest that the guidance and protection efficiencies primarily depend on the ratio of the fish width to the clear bar spacing. Larger fish were well protected by the horizontal bar rack, while smaller fish frequently passed through the rack. New equations are proposed to estimate the protection and guidance efficiencies as a function of the clear bar spacing and the fish species' biometry, which is highly relevant to assess the effect of horizontal bar racks as fish protection measures prior to installation.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Response of surface-soil quality to secondary succession in karst areas in Southwest China: Case study on a limestone slope

    Yan, WeihongZhou, QiuwenPeng, DaweiLuo, Yingzhong...
    9页
    查看更多>>摘要：Karst areas are fragile ecological environments facing serious soil quality problems. It is crucial to understand the surface-soil quality for ensuring the secondary succession of vegetation. In this study, four plots located on the same hill slope were selected, representing the four secondary succession stages of arable land, grassland, shrubs, and secondary forest, respectively. The surface-soil quality during secondary succession is assessed using the minimum dataset method. The results show that secondary succession decreased soil bulk density and total potassium content (P < 0.05), whereas soil organic matter, saturated hydraulic conductivity, overall porosity, and total nitrogen increased (P < 0.05). However, pH and capillary porosity are relatively stable. Non-capillary porosity and total phosphorus content first decreased and then increased. In addition, the mean soil quality indices increased and the difference in surface-soil quality between stages decreased with vegetation succession (P < 0.05). Improvement in surface-soil quality is most obvious in the early stages of secondary succession, and natural vegetation restoration can solve the land degradation problem. This study is not only helpful in un-derstanding the changes in surface-soil quality during the secondary succession but also provides a theoretical basis for selecting ecological restoration methods in karst regions.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier

    Are liming and pit size determining for tree species establishment in degraded areas by kaolin mining?

    Silva, Arystides ResendeAlves Lopes, Jose do Carmode Lima Neto, Joao FernandesSchwartz, Gustavo...
    10页
    查看更多>>摘要：Mining contributes to the global economy on different scales and plays a fundamental role in the development of the goods and services sectors. However, the negative impacts caused by the activity are unavoidable, as they intensely degrade soil structures and modify landscapes. The use of native tree species has been effective in restoring the structure and functions of post-mining ecosystems in the Amazon. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate chemical indicators of soil quality, survival and initial growth of six tree species planted in degraded ecosystem by kaolin mining under the effects of liming in three pit volumes in the Eastern Amazon. The initial conditions indicated highly degraded soil, with acidic pH, low content of OM, P and K. Liming significantly reduced the level of toxic Al in the soil and provided Ca and Mg for the plants. Through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), we found that the two first components explained 69.30% of the variance of 13 functional indicators of soil quality. PC1 was positively correlated with Ca, Mg, K, SB, CEC and V% and negatively correlated with H+Al and Al saturation. Survival was higher than 80% for Clitoria fairchildiana in all treatments. Liming and pit volume were determining in growth, with high growth rates in height of Inga edulis, Inga cayennensis, Clitoria fairchildiana and Tachigali vulgaris. The species used in this study presented good initial development in restoring ecosystems after kaolin mining.
      原文链接:
    • NSTL
    • Elsevier