Special sessions with abstracts
Special Sessions
The special sessions complement the themes of the conference. Comparing to a parallel session, there will be more time in a special session for debates between each oral presentation and at the end of the session.
Eight special sessions have been accepted, see the list below :
Tuesday 24 August (11.30 - 12.40 am) Cubiculaire room
1. Food quality as bottleneck for fauna communities
Wednesday 25 August (10.30 - 12.30) Paneterie 2 room
2. Ecological restoration based on biogeochemical key processes
Wednesday 25 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Cubiculaire room
3. Restoration and sustainable developement of high elevation ecosystems
Thursday 26 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Paneterie 3 room
4 . Plant introduction in ecological restoration – opportunities and risks
Thursday 26 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Chambre du trésorier room
5. Sustainable management and restoration of Mediterranean riparian zones: the importance of International cooperation
Thursday 26 August (2.50 - 4.10 pm) and (5.10 - 6.30 pm) Paneterie 3 room
6. Farming for restoration: building bridges for native seeds
Thursday 26 August (2. 50 - 4.10 pm) and (5.10 - 6.30) Chambre du trésorier room
7. Future of the best ecological restoration practices & sustainable management in European Atlantic rivers
Friday 27 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Chambre du trésorier room
8. Eroded areas: ecological restoration? Different solutions for different ecological and socio-economic issues in river catchments
Spécial session 1
Tuesday 24 August (11.30 - 12.40 am) Cubiculaire room
Food quality as bottleneck for fauna communities
Arnold Van den Burg (1) & Eva Remke (2)
(1) Bargerveen Foundation, The Netherlands.a.vandenburg@science.ru.nl
(2)
Ecological restoration may be successful in restoring plant communities, but often fails at the same time in recreating a suitable habitat for target fauna species. Causes for this may be factors like unsuitable microclimate conditions and lack of required mosaic vegetation patterns. There is increasing evidence that poor food quality can also be a factor limiting the success of restoration management. In this session, speakers will address the questions as to under which environmental conditions food quality is adversely affected, what compounds of food quality are involved, and what the consequences are for fauna communities as a whole, from herbivores to top-predators. From this, possible solutions for nature management will be proposed and discussed; as yet, there is little experience with managing food-quality problems in nature restoration efforts. For example, in the
Oral presentations of special session 1 :
11 : 20 Does nitrogen deposition cause decline of butterflies by changes in host plant quality?
Gert-Jan van Duinen, C. Turlure, Michiel Wallis de Vries, Arnold van den Burg
11 : 40 Direct effects of acidification and eutrophication on heathland fauna species
Joost Vogels, Bart Wouters, Arnold van den Burg, Eva Remke
12 : 00 Contrasting effects of high nitrogen deposition and aeolian dynamics on food quality of Grey Hairgrass (Corynephorus canescens) in drift sand ecosystems
Marijn Nijssen, Arnold van den Burg, Henk Siepel
12 : 20 Restoration of degraded Dutch forests and remediation of micronutrient deficiencies
Arnold van den Burg
Does nitrogen deposition cause decline of butterflies by changes in host plant quality?
Gert-Jan van Duinen, C. Turlure, Michiel Wallis de Vries, Arnold van den Burg
The typical butterfly species Coenonympha tullia, Boloria aquilonaris and Plebeius optilete of nutrient poor raised and transitional mires show a strong decline in parts of their distribution area, while their respective host plants (Eriophorum vaginatum, other grasses, Oxycoccus palustre, and related species) are still present. We hypothesize that decreased availability of particular minerals as a result of acidification and drainage, as well as increased availability of nitrogen compounds due to increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition cause imbalances between nitrogen and essential minerals and amino acids in host plants that are fatal to the caterpillars. To test this hypothesis we performed a comparative study on host plant quality between sites with different atmospheric nitrogen deposition and ground water supply. In young leaves of Oxycoccus the content of calcium, manganese and amino acids decreases with increasing nitrogen content. These imbalances could indeed result in deficiencies to the caterpillars of B. aquilonaris and P. optilete. However, the grasses did not show this pattern. Results of a bio-assay and additional investigations on growth rate and quality of young Oxycoccus leaves during the development period of caterpillars give further insight in the importance of these imbalances.
Direct effects of acidification and eutrophication on heathland fauna species
Joost Vogels, Bart Wouters, Arnold van den Burg, Eva Remke
Research on direct effects of changes in soil and vegetation chemistry as a result of S and N deposition on heathland fauna species performance is scarce. Here, we present current research on this topic on two heathland species in the
Contrasting effects of high nitrogen deposition and aeolian dynamics on food quality of Grey Hairgrass (Corynephorus canescens) in drift sand ecosystems
Marijn Nijssen, Arnold van den Burg, Henk Siepel
Inland drift sand areas are very poor in nutrients. Therefore it is expected that a high input of airborne nitrogen will have strong effects on growth strategy and chemical composition of plants. The most important food plant in drift sands is Grey Hairgrass (Corynephorus canescens), which is present from pioneer vegetation to old stabilised grasslands. Only in pioneer vegetation it is partly buried by sand and growth is constantly stimulated. In older, stabilised vegetation high N deposition correlated with high N concentrations in green leafs of Grey Hairgrass, though levels of amino acids did not differ between sites. This suggests that surplus of nitrogen is stored in other, non-protein chemical compounds (NPN), which might lower food quality for herbivores. This is supported by a 20% smaller size of herbivorous grasshoppers Myrmeleotettix maculata on sites where Grey hairgrass has high levels of NPN. Deposition of sand on Grey Hairgrass vegetation in dynamic sites increases the total amount of amino acids and decreases NPN in leafs. Aeolian dynamics might therefore be a process diminishing effects of high nitrogen deposition on food plant quality.
Restoration of degraded Dutch forests and remediation of micronutrient deficiencies
Arnold van den Burg
In the Netherlands, forests on poor sandy soils have become degraded due to acid and nitrogen deposition, resulting in losses of biodiversity and changes in the vegetation, such as grass and moss encroachment. Evidence from the food chain of the Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) shows that food quality has become a limiting factor for animal populations and the entire forest community. In the Sparrowhawk, which declined by 75% in breeding numbers, amino acid limitation has become apparent from egg amino acid investments and the decline of breast muscle size in the period of egg laying. There is no evidence that the amounts of food have become less, as there are no trends with body weights of breeding hens, laying dates or clutch sizes. In Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) inhabiting the same forests, egg protein (amino acid) and vitamin B2 investments become less if the birds take longer between arrival and egg laying, indicating that food consumed within the forest is of poor quality. Caterpillars of Operophtera brumata develop poorly on Common Oak (Quercus robur) leaves in degraded forests, and caterpillars are less able to accumulate essential nutrients, such as vitamin B2. Nowadays, acid and nitrogen deposition have become less, which opens the possibilities for restoration. Soil quality modulates the effects of additional nitrogen. An experimental strategy may be to balance the level of nitrogen with other plant nutrients, to improve plant physiology and edibility by herbivores. However, this acts against the naturally poor status of the forest.
Special session 2
Wednesday 25 August (10.30 - 12.30) Paneterie 2 room
Ecological restoration based on biogeochemical key processes
Jan Roelofs
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, The Netherlands.j.roelofs@science.ru.nl
Ecosystem restoration has, to a large extent, been based on a trial and error approach. By presenting research on the restoration of variety of ecosystem types this session will show the strong advantages of an approach based on biogeochemical research. This method, focusing on key factors and key processes, provides insight into the actual causal relationships between environmental changes and ecosystem responses. In addition, it indicates the target processes for restoration, and thereby enables scientists and nature managers to predict restoration prospects for locations that differ with respect to their initial conditions.
Oral presentations of special session 2 :
10 : 30 The swamp thing; biogeochemical drivers of fen restoration
Leon P.M. Lamers, Jeroen J.M. Geurts , José M.H. van Diggelen, Esther C.H.E.T. Lucassen, Alfons J.P. Smolders, Jan G.M. Roelofs
10 : 50 Biogeochemistry, decline and restoration of metallophyte vegetation in floodplain grasslands
Esther C.H.E.T. Lucassen, Jan G.M. Roelofs
11 : 10 An ecophysiological view on the importance of carbon dioxide in the re-establishment of Sphagnum; a case study
Wouter Patberg, Gert Jan Baaijens, Fons Smolders, Ab Grootjans, Theo Elzenga
11 : 30 Ecogical restoration of agricultural areas: experiences from the Netherlands
Alfons J.P. Smolders, Esther C.H.E.T. Lucassen, Mark van Mullekom, Hilde B.M. Tomassen, Emiel Brouwer, Jan G.M. Roelofs
11 : 50 Restoration of softwater lakes based on carbon and phosphorus limitation
Jan G.M. Roelofs, Emiel Brouwer
12 : 10 General discussion
The swamp thing; biogeochemical drivers of fen restoration
Leon P.M. Lamers, Jeroen J.M. Geurts , José M.H. van Diggelen, Esther C.H.E.T. Lucassen, Alfons J.P. Smolders, Jan G.M. Roelofs
At a global scale, wetlands including fens suffer from eutrophication, desiccation and climatic change as a result of anthropogenic influence. Their ecological rehabilitation has long been based on trial and error. We are, however, convinced that knowledge of the biogeochemical drivers of intact and biodiverse fens, and of their successful restoration is vital in order to prevent costly operations with an unpredictable outcome. The outcome of restoration can be forecasted and choices should therefore be based on the actual restoration potential of an area rather than on its historical context. This approach requires information on causal relations and therefore experiments at different scales are of pivotal importance. The present paper will show that successful restoration of fens calls for interdisciplinary experimental research in which ecology, hydrology, microbiology and geochemistry merge into a system-ecological approach.
Biogeochemistry, decline and restoration of metallophyte vegetation in floodplain grasslands
Esther C.H.E.T. Lucassen, Jan G.M. Roelofs
On a global scale, metallophyte vegetation types are increasingly under threat of extinction. The endemic metallophyte vegetation in floodplain grasslands in the Netherlands has almost completely been replaced by grasses since the first half of the previous century. Therefore, actions towards conservation and restoration are taken nowadays. Field investigations indicated that the remaining metallophytes only occurred on acidic floodplain soils with a relatively high Zn availability (total Zn > 40 µmol/g and Zn/Ca > 0.8) in combination with low phosphate availability (Olsen-P << 1250 µmol/kg) in the soil (Lucassen et al., 2009a). Several laboratory experiments confirmed that metal and nutritional changes in the soil were driver factors for the shift in vegetation (Lucassen et al., accepted). The results indicate that high phosphate availability and alkalinity in the soil, due to intensification of agricultural practices and shut down of the Belgian metal industry, have led to the replacement of the endemic metallophyte vegetation. Based on this knowledge, small-scale restoration experiments were carried out in which the alkaline and phosphate enriched top soil layer (0-30 cm) was removed in order to restore soil conditions suitable for growth of metallophytes. Results show that re-growth of competitive grasses was nil and that metallophytes could easily establish, maintain, reproduce and expand in time during the first four years (Lucassen et al., 2009b). Due to these positive results, top-soil removal has recently been applied on a large scale.
An ecophysiological view on the importance of carbon dioxide in the re-establishment of Sphagnum: a case study
Wouter Patberg, Gert Jan Baaijens, Fons Smolders, Ab Grootjans, Theo Elzenga
In this case study the importance of carbon dioxide availability for the re-establishment of Sphagnum and bog development is demonstrated. The study area is the Dwingelerveld, a nature reserve in the Netherlands with several small damaged peat bogs scattered throughout the area. Restoration measures resulted in very large developmental differences between bogs; some bogs developed markedly well, whereas others did not. Water chemistry analysis revealed that during development the successful bogs received carbon-rich groundwater, resulting in higher carbon dioxide availability in the bogs that stimulated the re-establishment of Sphagnum mosses. Essential for successful bog restoration is the re-establishment of Sphagnum mosses. High carbon dioxide concentrations are known to stimulate the growth of (aquatic) Sphagnum mosses. Recently the physiological background of the high carbon dioxide requirement for successful Sphagnum growth has been shown. In well developed Sphagnum bogs high amounts of carbon dioxide produced by (an)aerobic decomposition processes in the peat layer has been shown to be an important carbon source for Sphagnum. In bogs that were diminished by peat cuttings this carbon source is often strongly reduced. The limited re-establishment of Sphagnum species in bog restoration projects has been suggested to be due to low carbon dioxide availability. The presented findings indicate that indeed high carbon dioxide availability is a pre-requisite for the re-establishment of Sphagnum in peat bog restoration projects. And that for the successful re-establishment of (aquatic) Sphagnum species, carbon-rich groundwater can substitute for the peat layer as a source of carbon dioxide.
Ecological restoration of agricultural areas: experiences from the Netherlands
Alfons J.P. Smolders, Esther C.H.E.T. Lucassen, Mark van Mullekom, Hilde B.M. Tomassen, Emiel Brouwer, Jan G.M. Roelofs
In the Netherlands, more and more agricultural land is becoming available for ecological restoration projects. A low availability of nutrients, phosphorous (P) in particular, seems to be a prerequisite for long-term co-existence of plant species. However, because agricultural lands have been heavily fertilized for decades, nutrient levels in the top-soils tend to be extremely high. Calculations reveal that it may take many decades before P becomes limiting as a result of a mowing regime (harvesting of the vegetation and removal of the biomass from the site). Therefore, the restoration of a diverse and species-rich vegetation on former agricultural lands, will in most cases not be possible within a reasonable time-span without removal of the nutrient enriched topsoil. Although top soil removal, is almost always a relatively expensive measure, it may in the long term be cheaper than keeping up a mowing regime for decades. If removal of the top-soil is considered to create P-limitation, it is very important to study P availability in depth profiles in order to establish the amount of soil that has to be removed. In many cases liming can be an important additional measure to prevent acidification of the soil after topsoil removal, and to prevent mobilization of P to groundwater or surface water. Although in exceptional cases a biodiverse vegetation may develop without species being re-introduced, in most cases, re-introduction of species will deserve serious consideration. Next, hydrology and groundwater chemistry play an imminent role in the vegetation development on former agricultural lands.
Restoration of softwater lakes based on carbon and phosphorus limitation
Jan G.M. Roelofs, Emiel Brouwer
Acidification and eutrophication have caused a strong decline of the vegetation in many, carbon limited, softwater lakes in Western Europe. Restoration measures such as sludge removal, controlled inlet of alkaline water and catchment liming proved successful on the short term; on many sites softwater vegetation returned. Twenty years after restoration, we studied the vegetation, water quality and sediment quality on a selection of restoration sites. We compared the results with a set of reference lakes. Due to a strong reduction in atmospheric deposition, the ammonium and sulphate concentrations in the water layer of all lakes were reduced by more than 50% and pH had slightly increased. In reference lakes, there was almost no recovery of the vegetation, and a thick sludge layer was present. Most restored lakes were further colonized by characteristic vegetation and almost no renewed sludge accumulation had occurred. Ortho-phosphate levels and carbon dioxide levels were still very low (on average < 0.2 and < 100 micromol l-1 respectively). In acidified lakes, long-term restoration of softwater vegetation was only observed if additional measures against acidification had been applied. However, we identified several factors causing renewed decline of softwater vegetation: the input of nutrients from agricultural land by waterfowl, insufficient water level fluctuation due to water conservation measures, and competition with exotic plant species. We will present data on water and sediment quality and vegetation, and will discuss the mechanisms behind the observed changes.
Special session 3
Wednesday 25 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Cubiculaire room
Restoration and sustainable developement of high elevation ecosystems
Francis Isselin-Nondedeu (1) & Alain Bédécarrats (2)
(1) Université Blaise Pascal, UFR Sciences et Techniques, UMR 547 INRA , Physiologie Intégrée de l'Arbre Fruitier et Forestier (PIAF), 24, Avenue des Landais, F - 63177 Aubière, France. francis.isselin(a)gmail.com
(2) Cemagref Grenoble, Unité de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Montagnards, 2 rue de la Papeterie, BP76 38402, St Martin d’Hères cedex. France. alain.bedecarrats@cemagref.fr
High elevation ecosystems provide many ecosystem services including food and water, and are also spots of biodiversity and wildlife habitats. Human activities such as agriculture, farming and forest management have shaped the mountain landscapes as we know them. However, in addition to these historical land-uses the mountain ecosystems are increasingly disturbed by the construction of ski trails and roads within ski resorts, recreational trails, mine sites, changes of the water networks, and filling or drainage of wetlands. . Proper restoration of high-altitude ecosystems is difficult to achieve because of harsh environmental conditions: intense weather episodes, long period of snow, strong winds, intense rainfalls, steep slopes, avalanche…This particular context requires to set up particular conceptual frameworks and restoration techniques in order to restore both the structure and the functions of the degraded ecosystems. Also various actors must be involved in the restoration projects, such as scientists, practitioners, ski resorts managers, technical staff, natural park managers, farmers, or people from local associations. The objective of this special session is to bring together scientists working in different mountain ranges and dealing with degraded terrestrial ecosystems or wetlands from high elevation. This will be a great opportunity to gather state of the art from various places and to share experiences about the restoration concepts and techniques, the success and the failures of restoration projects. Special attention will be given to interdisciplinary works, restoration practices and long-term monitoring. This will raise questions about assessing the restoration success: How evaluate if the restored ecosystem is in the good trajectory? What indicators are used or should be used to assess the success of a restoration project: biological indicators, species diversity, functional diversity, water quality, wilderness…? What future for the restored ecosystems in a changing world (global changes, including climatic and socio-economic aspects)?
Oral presentations of special session 3 :
10 : 30 Introduction note : Current situation in the French Alps and opening questions
Francis Isselin-Nondedeu, Stéphanie Gaucherand
10 : 50 The Use of Natural Processes for the Restoration of Drastically Disturbed Upper Elevation Sites
David Polster
11 : 10 Biodiversity and erosion control: restoration of disturbed alpine sites
Christian Rixen, Mandy Pohl
11 : 30 Critical ecological processes for peatland restoration in changing climate
Alexandre Buttler, Luca Bragazza, Andy Siegenthale
11 : 50 Towards the development of an integrative strategy for the restoration of degraded high mountain ecosystems
Fransisco A. Comín, José M. Nicolau
12 : 10 General discussion
Introduction note : Current situation in the French Alps and opening questions
Francis Isselin-Nondedeu, Stéphanie Gaucherand
The Use of natural processes for the restoration of drastically disturbed upper elevation sites
David Polster
Increasing disturbance of high elevation sites through resource and recreational developments dictates that effective strategies for restoration be established. Identification of the filters that limit the establishment of plants is the first step in defining restoration strategies. Common filters include lack of plant-available moisture; compaction of substrates; ravelling over-steepened slopes; low nutrients and potentially adverse chemical composition. Moisture in upper elevation sites may come in the form of brief, heavy rainfall or rapid snow melt with strong drying winds reducing the available moisture, leaving insufficient surface moisture for wind-blown seeds to establish and grow. Many human-caused disturbances result in compaction of soil materials, preventing seedlings from establishing or stunting the growth of older plants. Steep slopes are common in upper elevation areas. Human activities on these steep natural slopes may result in creation of continually ravelling slopes where vegetation establishment is difficult if not impossible. When upper elevation sites are disturbed, the delicate web nutrient cycling systems may be lost. Re-establishment of these systems can be difficult and slow. Natural solutions (reference ecosystems) to these limitations can be found in undisturbed areas. These solutions can be used as models for the design of recovery strategies. This paper presents the application of natural processes for the restoration of severely disturbed upper elevation sites.
Biodiversity and erosion control: restoration of disturbed alpine sites
Christian Rixen, Mandy Pohl,
Alpine plant diversity and species identity are likely to be key parameters to stabilize soil in steep alpine terrain. Although frequently discussed, this hypothesis has rarely been tested explicitly. We tested in several experiments the effects of alpine plants on the soil aggregate stability and on surface erosion at disturbed Swiss alpine sites where it is particularly important to prevent soil erosion. 1. The number of plant species was positively correlated with soil aggregate stability, and species number was a better explanatory variable than any other variable related to soil or vegetation. Higher plant diversity was associated with a higher number of different root types. 2. Rainfall simulation experiments demonstrated that surface erosion was strongly driven by the percent of vegetation cover. At a vegetation cover of approx. 60%, an increase in plant diversity significantly reduced surface erosion. 3. Belowground traits of alpine plant species showed large differences e.g. in root length, horizontal and vertical spread and root tensile strength, illustrating that below-ground diversity of functional root types is crucial for slope stability. Our experiments demonstrate a positive relationship between species diversity or functional type diversity and soil physical properties. Not only percent vegetation cover is crucial to prevent soil erosion but also the diversity of plant growth forms. A high diversity of belowground growth forms is the most likely mechanism for the positive effect of plant diversity on soil properties.
Critical ecological processes for peatland restoration in changing climate
Alexandre Buttler, Luca Bragazza, Andy Siegenthale
Peatlands are under stress and various factors threaten their functional integrity. Many of the peatlands have been destroyed in the past and their conservation has become an important issue. Much effort has been put on restoration measurements, aiming at bringing back through adequate water management the typical vegetation (e.g. Sphagnum mosses) and the carbon sequestrating acrotelm/catotelm system. Nevertheless, with global changes, factors such as nitrogen deposition, increased atmospheric CO2 concentration, increased temperature and drought, might change the outcome of traditional restoration measures. In this paper we will review some processes implying above-belowground relationship and consider alternatives for the management of these ecosystems.
Towards the development of an integrative strategy for the restoration of degraded high mountain ecosystems
Fransisco A. Comín, José M. Nicolau
The restoration of high mountain ecosystems may require specific approaches and techniques as they are regulated by extreme environmental conditions. Because of intensive social changes mountain ecosystems also require a specific strategy to integrate the restoration actions in a socio-economic framework and get more success. It is necessary, first, to know if lost or degraded socio-economic structures can be restored and what is the cost/benefit for it. Second, it is necessary to know to what extent new socio-economic structures and processes contribute to a functional ecosystem which integrates the so called sustainable development. Case studies from the Spanish Pyrennees and South Iberian Range offer interesting contrasts which are analyzed under the scientific-technical, social and economic perspectives.
Special session 4
Thursday 26 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Paneterie 3 room
Plant introduction in ecological restoration – opportunities and risks
Armin Bischoff (1) & Barbara Smith (2)
(1)Agrocampus Ouest, Centre of Angers, National Institute of Horticulture and Landscape Planning (INHP), UMR BiO3P, 2 rue André Le Nôtre, 49045 Angers (France). armin.bischoff@agrocampus-ouest.fr
(2)The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP61EF. bsmith@gwct.org.uk
Species introduction is a widely used method to accelerate the restoration of habitats or to re-establish locally extinct populations. However, as there is genetic differentiation and sometimes strong adaptation to local environmental conditions in plant and animal populations, the origin and quality of source populations must be carefully considered if re-introduction is to be successful. The use of non-local source populations may not only compromise the success of restoration measures, but may also have negative consequences on existing populations, potentially disrupting ecosystem function. Unfortunately, our understanding of the scale of adaptation and differentiation in most species is poor, and we have no universal answers to questions about the ecological effects of seed origin in restoration schemes. Nevertheless, restoration managers need information today and, despite the gaps, require a summary of current knowledge of both the risks and opportunities of species reintroduction. This is the topic of our special session. The speakers will present research on the risks of introducing non-local genotypes, in particular on the potential effects of introduced plants on herbivore communities, a relatively new research topic. Their talks will discuss work done at different scales, on a range of species, each focused on the complex decision making associated with choosing source populations. The studies were carried out in a variety of different ecosystems from grasslands, limestone quarries, mountainous habitats of the French Pyrenees, agro-ecosystems to riverine woodlands. They show interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, restoration managers and suppliers of plant material in order to set up a more local provisioning system that also considers economic questions – an excellent example for the establishment of links across frontiers of different disciplines. There will be a structured discussion at the end of the session. 4 questions will be put to the audience. 1. Can we prioritise opportunities? What are highest priority knowledge gaps? 2. Are there current practices in restoration ecology that are inherently risky? 3. What are the critical messages to communicate to policy makers? 4. What is the potential for collaboration between scientists and practitioners? 5. How can we realize a more local seed provisioning?
Oral presentations of special session 4 :
10 : 30 Ecosystem effects of introducing non-local plants: genetic introgression into local populations and interactions with other organisms
Lisèle Crémieux, Armin Bischoff, Heinz Müller-Schärer, Thomas Steinger
10 : 50 Local versus non local: managing in the face of uncertainty
Nathalie Frascaria-Lacoste
11 : 10 Plant introduction in restoration projects: Implications for dependent insect populations
Barbara Smith
11 : 30 Native seed production and use for restoration of Pyrenean habitats: implications and limitations
Sandra Malaval
11 : 50 Social acceptability of population restoration of endangered species: the question of species autochthony and nature artificialization
Anne-Claire Maurice
12 : 10 General discussion
Ecosystem effects of introducing non-local plants: genetic introgression into local populations and interactions with other organisms
Lisèle Crémieux, Armin Bischoff, Heinz Müller-Schärer, Thomas Steinger
In ecological restoration schemes, concerns associated with the introduction of foreign plant populations have often focused on their potential maladaptation to the local site conditions. Interactions of introduced genotypes with other ecosystem members, such as plant antagonists or neighbouring populations of native conspecifics, have received less attention. In a reciprocal transplant experiment at three sites across Europe, we examined the patterns of population differentiation in resistance to local antagonists for two common grassland species, Plantago lanceolata and Holcus lanatus. Moreover, for Plantago, we studied the consequences of gene flow from foreign provenances on the fitness of local population by producing three generations of interpopulation hybrids and comparing their performance to that of within-population crosses in a field experiment. In both experiments, we included both geographically distant populations and close-by populations from distinct habitats. We found strong genetic differentiation among provenances in the amount of damage by their main above-ground antagonists in both species. Local provenances of Holcus had higher amounts of rust infection while those of Plantago were less damaged by their specialist beetle than the foreign provenances. This opposite pattern suggests that it will be difficult to predict the consequences of plant translocations for interactions with organisms of higher trophic levels. Most fitness-related traits of the interpopulation hybrids were close to the average of their parents, leading to reduced fitness of the hybrids compared to local plants, and dilution of local adaptation, when foreign parents performed poorly. The introduction of maladapted populations from distant or ecologically distinct environments might, at least temporarily, decrease the fitness of neighboring local plants.
Local versus non local: managing in the face of uncertainty
Nathalie Frascaria-Lacoste
The emerging discipline of restoration ecology provides a powerful suite of tools for speeding the recovery of degraded lands. In the fields, restoration projects vary in size and degree of disturbance. In the past, restoration programs have been done with few species that were often “exotic” to the disturbed site. Recently, studies have shown that the restoration of ecosystem functions and diversity needs the establishment of native species with the argument that local genotypes are more adapted to the local environment. Opinions differ on the correct strategy for choosing plant material restoration. Can we favour the local species or not? What is the advantage to introduce new genotypes on a specific site? In general, literature cannot recommend a single strategy for any specific situation but presents conceptual frameworks for assessing the value of the different strategies. Climate variability, as well as land use practises and stressors, create novel environment conditions never experienced by ecosystems before. Species will differ in their response to climate change depending on their environmental niche properties and physiological characteristics. Some will adapt to the changes, some will move, and some will go extinct. Accepting that the future will be different from both the past and the present, managing in the face of uncertainty will force managers to create ecosystems with short and long term strategies. In my talk, I will review various strategies across a wide array of situations in a context of change.
Plant introduction in restoration projects: Implications for dependent insect populations
Barbara Smith
A practical study indicated a tendency for the growth rate of common blue caterpillars to differ when raised on limestone grassland plants of different origin, suggesting that plant origin may influence the reproduction of dependent insect populations. This leads us to hypothesise that plant origin could influence the successful invertebrate colonisation of newly restored sites. However, to determine this, a single study is insufficient, we need to synthesise existing work. The information that we need is not plentiful in studies focussing on restoration ecology, but is scattered through the botanical / entomological literature. In this paper, the results of our own study will be presented and a range of sources investigating plant / insect interactions will be drawn together in an attempt to identify key knowledge gaps for research. In particular we will investigate whether there is sufficient information available to answer the following questions: Is there any evidence that plant origin determines the reproductive success of dependent invertebrates? What is the strength of that evidence? Can we draw any conclusions about the role of plant origin in restoring invertebrate communities in the field? Are we in a position to draw up guidelines based on existing work?
Native seed production and use for restoration of Pyrenean habitats: implications and limitations
Sandra Malaval
In the French Pyrenees, commercial herbaceous seed mixtures commonly used in alpine and subalpine revegetation were, until recently, always allochthonous. At these altitudes, they often failed to give durable results; moreover, their systematic use might modify and treathen native flora and habitats. Species sourced locally are well adapted to ensure the technical success of revegetation, especially at high altitude, and that is why we initiated a program of native seed collection and production experiments. Seed users (ski resorts and local authorities) and seed producers were involved in a participative approach that aimed at defining rules for seed collection, production and use, with a special emphasis (focus) on promoting genetic diversity throughout the entire process. We wrote together a code of good practices for the production and use of Pyrenean native flora and are preparing now the registration of a collective trademark. Genetic analysis (based on RAPD) of the plants under study allowed us to define two seed transfer zones within the French Pyrenees. Finally, we are designing a web site that will trace native seed geographic origins from their collection in the field to their sowing. Nevertheless agricultural grasses and legumes are still being used for high elevation revegetation, because the seeds are reliably produced in large quantities and at low prices. Will the constraints of the code of practices (eg limitation of 4 generations of multiplication, collection sites above 1000 m, minimum of 3 different collection sites for each species, etc.) be accepted in the long run?
Social acceptability of population restoration of endangered species: the question of species autochthony and nature artificialization.
Anne-Claire Maurice
Only few publications in social sciences deal with population restoration of endangered species. If some anthropological studies on animal restoration plans are existing, researches on plant restoration programs are very rare. However, projects about vegetal species have also a social dimension, putting in interaction several protagonists: scientists, naturalists (local associations…) and institutional people (Office National des Forêts, local authorities…). All of them have specific uses and representations of nature which directly influence the way they perceive population restoration. This aspect cannot be ignored to approach feasibility and social acceptability of plant restoration programs. Our research, based on an ethnoecological approach, deals with two projects: 1) population restoration of Arenaria grandiflora L. in Fontainebleau forest, realized with exogenous seedlings (from Loire Valley); 2) introduction-reinforcement of Centaurea corymbosa Pourr. population in its endemism’s area (Massif de La Clape). To which extent the autochthonous (or indigenous) character of those plants is considered by the different protagonists involved in restoration projects? The analysis of their discourses and their practices reveals that beyond the plant, the social value of the place is also very important. In order to evaluate the human impact on the plant and on the place, and the way their conservation is affected, we must also consider the restoration methods and their results: is it regarded as natural by the different protagonists, or is it an artificialization of a natural object?
Special session 5
Thursday 26 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Chambre du trésorier room
Sustainable management and restoration of Mediterranean riparian zones: the importance of International cooperation
Paula C. Dias (1) & Ana I. Mendes (2)
(1) CNRS / Agropolis International, Av. Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France. dias@agropolis.fr
(2) Institute of Agricultural Sciences (ISA), Techn. Univ. Lisbon, Forest Research Centre, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa , Portugal. aismendes@isa.utl.pt
"Cooperation" is “the act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit”. This concept can apply to many fields, e.g. economical (“the combination of persons for purposes of production, purchase, or distribution for their joint benefit”), sociological (“activity shared for mutual benefit”), or ecological (“mutually beneficial interaction among organisms living in a limited area”). Riparian areas and associated characteristic vegetation play an untold number of environmental roles, like filtering pollutants, stabilizing soil against erosion and functioning as a refuge and ecological corridor for plant communities and wildlife.The “European Spatial Development Perspective” recognizes that biodiversity cannot be preserved with just a network of protected areas, but also needs the development of ecological corridors. Riparian areas are not common ecological corridors: they do not only have a linear structure, but they also show a specific up-stream/down-stream organization shaped by ecological processes which change gradually from spring to estuary. River Restoration projects and cooperation among different actors play a vital role in promoting ecological environmental restoration. On the other hand, the know-how from Northern/Central European countries in river restoration is considered high when compared with countries from the Mediterranean region. The goal of this special session is two-fold:
a) to present examples of international projects focussed on
b) to contribute to improve cooperation on river restoration bringing together actors from Mediterranean region and Northern/Central European countries.
Oral presentations of special session 5 :
10 : 30 The importance of Interregional cooperation on river restoration: Ripidurable and Ricover case studies
Ana Mendes
10 : 50 River restoration approaches in SUDOE Europe: problems and pitfalls. Experience in the Ter River, Catalonia, north-east of Iberian Peninsula
Jordi Camprodon, Marc Ordeix, David Guixé, Francesc Llach, Laia Jiménez, Núria Sellarès
11 : 10 Birds as bio-indicators and as tools to evaluate restoration measures
Jean Roché, Carlos Godinho, João E. Rabaça, Bernard Frochot, Bruno Faivre, Ana Mendes, Paula C. Dias
11 : 30 The importance of Interreg Initiative as a financial instrument for promoting ecological restorations projects
Fernando Nogueira, Ana Mendes
11 : 50 Assessing the role of riparian vegetation and land use on river ecological status using remote sensing and spatial modelling
Pascal Kosuth, Thierry Tormos, Flavie Cernesson, Nathalie Lalande
12 : 10 General discussion
The importance of Interregional cooperation on river restoration: Ripidurable and Ricover case studies
Ana Mendes
Riparian zones are responsible for many ecological functions considered crucial to the preservation of river ecological conditions. In the Mediterranean landscape, riparian corridors emerge from surrounding landscapes as “linear oasis” with particular structural and compositional features. They are, however, severely altered by adjacent human activities and land uses in the drainage basins, which pollute, impose barriers, extract or transfer water, straighten and constrain river channels, alter banks or cut vegetation to gain space. There is an urgent need to support actions to protect river systems and to restore their original ecological integrity and functions, as the Water Framework Directive imposes to all member states. Moreover, according to the “European Spatial Development Perspective”, biodiversity cannot be preserved with only a network of protected areas, but also needs the development of ecological corridors. Cooperation among different actors at regional levels arises as the best practice to really achieve twofold objectives, that is, river and water restoration activities and contributing to the development of a network of ecological corridors across regions. This work presents the experience achieved during the development of two interregional cooperation projects dedicated to river restoration. RIPIDURABLE project (www.ripidurable.eu) was dedicated to the conservation of riparian ecosystems; four projects of habitat restoration using bioengineering techniques were developed. RICOVER project (www.ricover.eu) was born from the desire to apply Ripidurable project guidelines to the recovery of natural environment to the SUDOE region; three river habitat restoration projects are under development in Odelouca (Algarve, PT), Guadiana (Extremadura, PT/SP) and Ter (Catalonia, SP) regions.
River restoration approaches in SUDOE Europe: problems and pitfalls. Experience in the Ter River, Catalonia, north-east of Iberian Peninsula
Jordi Camprodon, Marc Ordeix, David Guixé, Francesc Llach, Laia Jiménez, Núria Sellarès
In our study areas we observed that riparian forests were relatively well conserved, but that they had not attained their potential due to three problems: 1) width loss, especially in the second line of the forest; 2) introduction of exotic species; 3) water volume. Our project included preliminary studies of biological indicators and producing plans for fluvial management in private and public forest land - pilot. In the management plans, forestry tools are used for fluvial restoration. Four forest land - pilots were chosen to carry out restoration projects in riparian forests. To coordinate goals and development work, custody agreements between landowners, town councils, CERM and CTFC were signed. Some of the restoration tasks involved the application of forestry methods for sustainable management, pasture management and plantation of autochthonous species. The first results led us to the following recommendations: 1) Improvement of the structure of the riparian forest by means of the application of forestry methods applied to the restoration of the natural vegetation. 2) Establishment of some protocols in forestry treatments. 3) Monitoring of the results of the restoration by bioindicators. 4) Study of the biological variables associated with the level of conservation and degradation of the riparian forest. 5) Publication of a guide about the project in technical and informative format. The experience in the Ter River is part of the project SUDOE Ricover.
Birds as bio-indicators and as tools to evaluate restoration measures
Jean Roché, Carlos Godinho, João E. Rabaça, Bernard Frochot, Bruno Faivre, Ana Mendes, Paula C. Dias
Rivers and streams are in many countries the only aquatic habitats with natural origin, where species have evolved adaptations. Riparian habitats provide food and shelter for many species, they also act as biological corridors, and they are of crucial interest for biodiversity at different scales. They suffer from human activities through changes in land use, habitat fragmentation, erosion, channelization, or decrease in water quality... Methods are needed to assess quality and ecological integrity of streams and riparian habitats. Indicators can summarize or cluster complex environmental data, providing overall pictures of biodiversity and its threats. Invertebrates, plants or fishes are commonly used, but they focus on the stream itself, neglecting the riparian ecosystems. Bird communities can be good models to assess quality, relevant perturbations and efficiency of restoration processes. Within RIPIDURABLE(www.ripidurable.eu) project several rivers stretches (in Portugal, Greece, France) were selected for restoration actions. Bird surveys were conducted to: a) explore how and at which scales of space and time bird communities provide information about riparian ecosystem quality; b) assess restoration results. We defined a procedure for assessments of riparian bird communities: (1) Describing initial state, (2) Choosing bird assemblages, (3) Defining control areas, (4) Survey method and sampling sites, (5) Result interpretation, (6) Replicability. We show that bird communities: 1) are particularly relevant to assess large scale and long terms changes in hydrosystem characteristics and functioning; 2) because they quickly react to perturbation, are also useful to assess more local features and detect habitat alterations.
The importance of Interreg Initiative as a financial instrument for promoting ecological restorations projects
Fernando Nogueira, Ana Mendes
Interreg aims to stimulate interregional cooperation in the European Union. It started in 1989, and is financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The amount of co-funding required differs by region, ranging from 50% down to 0% in the poorest regions. The final beneficiaries of Interreg funds are usually public authorities, interest associations and non-profit organisations. Interreg IV has a budget of almost 7,8 billion euro, up from 4,9 billion euro in Interreg III. Interreg is made up of three strands: Strand A : cross-border cooperation between adjacent regions. Strand B: non-contiguous regions from several different countries cooperate because they experience joint or comparable problems. Strand C: interregional cooperation across Europe in order to improve development policies and instruments through large-scale information exchange and sharing of experience. Habitat fragmentation through Europe is a common problem and the application of Habitats, Birds and Water directives impose habitat protection and restoration to all member states. Moreover the “European Spatial Development Perspective” recognizes that biodiversity cannot be preserved with just a network of protected areas, and that the development of ecological corridors is just as important. In fact, cooperation is the only effective ways to strive against habitat and biodiversity loss since living organism do not recognize borders. Under previous Interreg Initiatives ecological restoration projects have been funded: Strand C over 32 million euro (ME); SUDOE program on Strand B over 2 ME and Strand A 64 ME. Activities funded vary between monitoring, evaluation and restoration activities all achieved through cooperation.
Assessing the role of riparian vegetation and land use on river ecological status using remote sensing and spatial modelling
Pascal Kosuth, Thierry Tormos, Flavie Cernesson, Nathalie Lalande
Preserving or restoring the ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems is a major objective of Water Framework Directive. A pending question deals with the gain in river ecological status indicators that could be allowed by restoring riparian tree vegetation. In order to quantify in a statistically relevant way the role of riparian vegetation on river ecosystems, a regional approach is required that mobilizes three complementary fields of research : (1) the use of very high spatial resolution satellite imagery to map river corridor land use and riparian vegetation along large river networks ; (2) the design and quantification of synthetic spatialized indicators of river corridor land use; (3) the development of pressures/state spatialized models that quantify the relation between river corridor land use indicators and river water bodies ecological status indicators. The corresponding methods were developed and implemented on various river basins, particularly over lower Normandy river networks (
Posters of special session 5 :
1. The RIPIDURABLE project – sustainable management of riparian areas
A Mendes, MH Almeida, K Arvanitis, D Arizpe, Y Chatzinikolaou, PA Crochet, PC Dias, P Dimopoulos, E Dincuff, A Fabião, B Faivre, C Faria, MR Fernandes, MT Ferreira , B Frochot, S Giakoumi, C Godinho, R Hipólito, N Koutsikos, I Loi, F Pais, C Pereira, Ph Perret, MA Prada, JE Rabaça, JE Roché, I Roque, J Viana, S Zogaris
2. Birds and sustainable management in Mediterranean riparian areas: Bird studies in the RIPIDURABLE project
João E. Rabaça, Ana Mendes, Paula C. Dias,Carlos Godinho, Jean E. Roché, Bernard Frochot, Bruno Faivre, Eric Dincuff, Philippe Perret, Pierre-André Crochet, Inês Roque, Alexandre Vaz
3. Restoration of the Drugeon basin
Jean-Noël Resch, Geneviève Magnon, François Degiorgi, Hervé Decourcières
4. The project RICOVER: river recovery in the SUDOE Region
Ana Mendes, Maria Teresa Ferreira, António Albuquerque, Maria Helena Almeida, Jordi Camprodon, Paulo Cruz, Sofia Delgado, André Fabião, António Fabião, Carla Faria, Rosário Fernandes, David Gu
The RIPIDURABLE project – sustainable management of riparian areas
A Mendes, MH Almeida, K Arvanitis, D Arizpe, Y Chatzinikolaou, PA Crochet, PC Dias, P Dimopoulos, E Dincuff, A Fabião, B Faivre, C Faria, MR Fernandes, MT Ferreira , B Frochot, S Giakoumi, C Godinho, R Hipólito, N Koutsikos, I Loi, F Pais, C Pereira, Ph Perret, MA Prada, JE Rabaça, JE Roché, I Roque, J Viana, S Zogaris (*)
(*) authors in alphabetical order except A Mendes
Riparian areas are dynamic and complex ecosystems, harboring a rich mosaic of aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Their vegetation filters pollutants, stabilizes soil against erosion, and functions as a refuge for plant communities and wildlife, thus contributing to preserve biodiversity. They function as ecological corridors and also display a specific up-stream/down-stream organization. It may be difficult for management authorities to implement suitable measures for the conservation and management of riparian zones, either due to poor technical know-how, poor planning, and/or to a lack of indigenous plant species for riparian restoration. To address these problems, the scientific community became involved in an Interreg IIIC - project co-funded by the European Union. The name RIPIDURABLE, coined from “RIPI” (Latin riparius, “river bank”) + “DURABLE” (French, “sustained”), conveys the idea behind this project: “sustainable river”. RIPIDURABLE seeks for a rational conservation management, bringing together the economic potential of riparian areas with their functional role in the conservation of nature, water, soil and landscape. Institutes with experience in environmental evaluation, habitat restoration and propagation of forest plant species, were brought together with both national research organizations and local authorities with management competencies. Ten partners of four countries (
Birds & sustainable management in Mediterranean riparian areas: bird studies in the RIPIDURABLE project
João E. Rabaça, Ana Mendes, Paula C. Dias,Carlos Godinho, Jean E. Roché, Bernard Frochot, Bruno Faivre, Eric Dincuff, Philippe Perret, Pierre-André Crochet, Inês Roque, Alexandre Vaz
RIPIDURABLE is an INTERREG IIIC European Program involving 10 partners from Portugal, Spain, France and Greece. Scientists, technicians and local/regional authorities worked together to integrate knowledge, know-how and practice, towards a rational conservation management of riparian zones. Birds can be used to characterize ecosystems, to monitor environmental changes or to assess results of restoration measures. We have conducted field surveys in order to assess breeding bird communities associated to riparian galleries in several watercourses, including issues as the relation with natural vegetation profiles, the influence of the surrounding matrix, the evolution with time or with habitat degradation, the effects of rehabilitation measures, and/or the importance of riparian galleries as ecological corridors for birds. Surveys at different space and time scales were carried out using standardised point count methods, on 8 watercourses in
Restoration of the Drugeon basin
Jean-Noël Resch, Geneviève Magnon, François Degiorgi, Hervé Decourcières
Between 800 and 900m a.s.l. in the Haut-Doubs, the Drugeon valley occupies a glacial basin of approx. 170 km². It is famous for its wide and diverse wetlands which represent 1/7 of the territory. The Drugeon occupies the bottom of the valley over more than 35km, until its confluence with the
The project RICOVER: river recovery in the SUDOE Region
Ana Mendes, Maria Teresa Ferreira, António Albuquerque, Maria Helena Almeida, Jordi Camprodon, Paulo Cruz, Sofia Delgado, André Fabião, António Fabião, Carla Faria, Rosário Fernandes, David Gu
RICOVER project (River Recovery in the SUDOE Region http://www.ricover.eu, 2009-2011) was born from the desire to apply Ripidurable project guidelines to the recovery of natural environment to the SUDOE region, and specifically to improve the ecological quality of riparian zones and the sustainability of river ecosystems. Its general aim is to create, define or apply common strategies for the protection and restoration of SUDOE fluvial corridors. The partnership is leaded by the Technical University of Lisbon (Instituto Superior de Agronomia, PT) and includes a regional water authority (ARH Algarve, PT), a water management enterprise (Águas do
Special session 6
Thursday 26 August (2. 50 - 4.10 pm) and (5.10 - 6.30) Paneterie 3 room
Farming for Restoration: building bridges for native seeds
Berta Youtie (1) & Sabine Tischew (2)
(1)Eastern Oregon Stewardship Services, Prineville, Oregon, USA. berta.youtie@oregonstate.edu
(2)Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Germany, Strenzfelder Allee 28, D-06406 Bernburg. s.tischew@loel.hs-anhalt.de
In the United States as well as in Europe a shortage of native plant material considerably restricts success in restoring ecosystems. Commercial seed mixtures containing foreign ecotypes and genetically uniform varieties are threatening local biodiversity. Therefore, the development of strategies for the propagation of native seeds for ecological restoration is of great importance. Challenges in developing native plant programs at local or regional scales include: 1) identification of species suitable for agricultural seed production; 2) development of genetically diverse, ecologically adapted materials; 3) strategies for tracking the identity of plant materials from wildland harvest through agricultural production and managing stock seed; 4) seed technology for diverse grass, forb and shrub species; 5) breeding systems; 6) pollinator requirements and the potential for managing wild pollinators in seed fields; 7) cultural practices for maximizing seed production; 8) insect pest and disease control. Major obstacles include sustaining funding for research and development, creating new market niches for seed growers, and creating and maintaining the bridges among researchers, seed regulatory agencies, the private seed industry, and land managers and other end users. In the western U.S. livestock grazing, annual weed invasions, and increased wildfire frequency have negatively impacted extensive semi-arid grassland and shrubland landscapes. A shortage of native plant materials needed to restore land health for multiple resource values increased revegetation costs and precluded their use in many areas. In response the U.S. Congress launched the Interagency Native Plant Materials Development Program for a semi-arid Mediterranean landscape scale restoration. Native seed programs established earlier in the last decade are now serving as models for newer programs, though issues, goals, and collaborators vary across the country. In Europe, the production of native plant material is often restricted due to high costs, lack of experiences in propagating native plants and lack of administrative support in restricting the use of non-native plant material. However, in the last years several projects were supported by the European Union to improve the knowledge about propagating native plants and their successful application in ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems. Both European practitioners and scientist working in this field will present their results. This session will provide an overview of success and challenges encountered while producing and using native plant material. We want to initiate the exchange of ideas and experiences between practitioners and scientists in the U.S. and in Europe.
Oral presentations of special session 6 :
14 : 50 National Native Plant Materials Development Program: Ensuring Options in a Changing Climate
Peggy Olwell
15 : 10 Building Bridges between NGO’s, Researchers and Farmers To Develop a Collaborative Native Seed Program
Nancy Shaw, Berta Youtie
15 : 30 Seed Certification Tracks the Natives from Wildlands to Restoration
Stanford Young
16 : 10 The Complex Business of Farming Native Seed
Jerry Benson
Coffee break and poster session 4
17 : 10 From Buds to Seeds: Bees are Key
James Cane
17 : 30 Farming Native Seeds for Site Specific Mixtures and the Importance of Quality Standards in the Wildseed Market in Europe
Birgit Feucht
17 : 50 Seed multiplication : Making the most of natural assets
Richard Scott
18 : 10 The EU-Salvere Project: Producing Native Seeds Using Threshing Material and Species-rich Hay from Grassland , Germany
18 : 30 "Native seed production" Seed production of native grasses and herbs in Austria
National Native Plant Materials Development Program: Ensuring Options in a Changing Climate
Peggy Olwell
Following record breaking wildfire seasons of 1999 and 2000, Congress directed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to develop and implement a program for site appropriate native plant materials. The Native Plant Materials Development Program (NPMDP) is coordinating organizations around the country to collect, curate and conserve plant diversity. With the assistance of more than 500 partners, BLM is leading the Interagency NPMDP to ensure the quality and quantity of genetically appropriate native plant materials are available commercially for restoring native plant communities across the American landscape. Developing a crop from native wild species begins with seed collection. Seeds of Success (SOS) is the native seed collection phase of the NPMDP. SOS makes the primary collections needed for restoration following disturbances and for use in climate adaptation strategies. Nearly 100 teams working nation-wide have contributed to the more than 9,500 collections in the SOS National Collection. Climate change is altering native plant communities at a greater rate than previously anticipated and effects on native plant communities could be extensive. To avoid the threat of habitats dominated by monocultures of invasive species, we may need to move and establish native plant materials to more northern latitutdes if plant communities cannot adapt to climate change. Developing native plant materials and having native seed stored in long-term storage and available commercially for restoration will provide federal agencies with important tools to help address threats to natural systems posed by destructive events such as wildfires, invasive species, and climate change.
Building Bridges between Researchers, Farmers and NGOs to Develop a Collaborative Native Seed Program
Nancy Shaw, Berta Youtie
The Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project (GBNPSIP) was initiated by the USDI Bureau of Land Management’s National Native Plant Development Program and Great Basin Restoration Initiative in 2001. Project objectives are to increase the availability of native plant materials, particularly wildflowers, delineate seed zones, develop seed technology and cultural practices for agricultural seed production, formulate guidelines for establishing multispecies seedings, and provide demonstration areas and science delivery. Because of the varied disciplines required to accomplish project goals and the large number of species involved, objectives and challenges must be prioritized and cooperators sought. Species were selected by surveying land managers and resource specialists across the
Seed Certification Tracks the Natives from Wildlands to Restoration
Stanford Young
Native species plant materials utilized for restoration are often chosen on the basis of price, convenience, or desperation. Such materials may be mislabeled as to species, or have a provenance that is not a good match with species genetic variability structures and/or physical and climatic environmental conditions of the planting site. A preferable choice would be to obtain seed that has been increased from remnant wildland populations or formal stock seed banks of a desired species, thus establishing genetic identity. Genetic purity can then be tracked through field or nursery production, marketing, distribution, and planting. This procedure is expedited by the Pre-Variety Germplasm (PVG) seed certification program, a third-party inspection and labeling protocol developed by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). Native seed procurement for large fire rehabilitation plantings in the Great Basin (
The Complex Business of Farming Native Seed
Jerry Benson
Growing plants for Nature’s purposes, as well as our own, causes us to change our focus from agronomic paradigm to an ecological one. The shift in purpose and genetics between the two ideas is large. A transition in cultural method and decision-making must take place in a partnership between producers and end-users. Where ecology is ascendant, disengaging project outcomes from the production process will not work. The complex work of restoration now becomes more so, as those stakeholders must learn to be a new kind of farmer.
From Buds to Seeds: Bees are Key
James Cane
Government land managers oversee 40 million ha in the Great Basin of the western
Farming native seeds for site specific mixtures and the importance of quality-standards in the wild seed market in
II. Use of seedmixtures : Wild seed-mixtures can be used for example in : bioengineering or renaturalization, species rich borders , greening up of industrial sites, the establishment of vegetation on roofs
III. Quality aspects of wild seeds: Guarantee of the indigenous origin of the basic seed, Preservation of a high genetic spectrum, Cultivation of the basic seed in the same region, Preservation of a high germination rate, High purity of the seeds, Control of the flow of goods, All these aspects should be assured by an independent certificate. European seed market for indigenous wild seeds. Because of the influence of the European legal framework on national and regional seedmarkets we sustain the efforts of a European network and the development of European quality standards.
Seed multiplication : Making the most of natural assets – By their fruits ye shall know them!
Richard Scott
Landlife has been involved with creative conservation and the delivery of high quality ecological landscapes for over 35 years. In the nineteen seventies and eighties it was almost impossible to purchase native seed of any description, so groups and individuals interested in pioneering these subject areas had to find their own sources, and become adept at locating sites for collection as well as advocating the best possible use of a very precious resource. This presentation addresses the importance of combining the good practice of establishing and producing reliable sources of seed; as well as demonstrating the use of native wildflower seed, and promoting the advantages of these actions, rather than doing projects furtively with little social connection. By showcasing good practice and demonstrating the use seed mixtures in a whole set of challenging scenarios, we can engage diverse groups of people in the process , and deliver principles of environmental justice. In parallel to Landlife’s wildflower farming operation, Landlife established the
The EU-Salvere Project: Producing Native Seeds Using Threshing Material and Species-rich Hay from Grasslands
Anita Kirmer, Sabine Tischew
Extensively managed semi-natural grasslands are known for their extremely high biodiversity. This biodiversity can be protected by specific conservation measures but also by using the available seed potential in restoration. Seeds can be harvested with different techniques such as mowing, on-site threshing, or seed-stripping. The use of harvested seed-rich materials in restoration leads to a species composition typical for the concerned region, consequently contributing to the preservation of regional biodiversity. The established ecotypes are optimally adapted to local climatic and edaphic conditions. “Semi-natural grassland as a source for biodiversity improvement (SALVERE)” is a project within the
"Native seed production" Seed production of native grasses and herbs in Austria
Bernhard Krautzer, Albin Blaschka
In Austria, many thousands of hectares are restored each year following such infrastructural intervention as road building, flood protection, construction of torrent- and avalanche barriers or as a part of compensation measures. But also other areas like roughs on golf courses, sporting fields, railway reserves, industrial sites, flat roofs and public areas are interesting open space that should be used to provide biodiversity preservation. In the last 20 years the Federal Research and Education Centre for Agriculture (AREC)
Special session 7
Thursday 26 August (2. 50 - 4.10 pm) and (5.10 - 6.30) Chambre du trésorier room
Future of the best ecological restoration practices & sustainable management in European atlantic rivers
Ivan Bernez (1) & Dylan Bright (2)
(1)UMR 985 "Ecology & Ecosystem Health" INRA-Agrocampus Ouest, 65, r. de St-Brieuc F- 35042 RENNES Cedex . Ivan.Bernez@agrocampus-ouest.fr
(2)Westcountry Rivers Trust, Callington - Cornwall – UK. dylan@wrt.org.uk
The principal objective of the session is to initiate a discussion between people involved in river management and river ecological restoration and to draw the future of best practices in ecological river restoration. The focus on salmon rivers will give the opportunity to establish links, at the European level, between researchers and managers working on Atlantic salmon population and/or their habitats. The model of partnership around a targeted species and habitat could be extending to other species or others aquatic habitats. Scales approaches in ecological restoration will be an important point of the session. Links with actual debates are encouraged in this session: e.g. resource protection to sustainable economic development though a Paid Ecosystem Service model, as recommended by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and IUCN via the Ecosystem Approach. Cultural, Economic and Environmental issues will be embraced to deliver sustainable resource protection. A central focus will be culturally and economically important migratory fish species which link water marine, coastal and freshwater resources, which are currently managed separately. Contacted speakers own to research and management institutions, they all have a background in targeted river basins, networked by regional river observatories: In this session there is a possibility to focus on migratory stocks of protected species which have economic, cultural and environmental value but which currently fall outside the scope of regional protection due to their migratory habit, which causes them to cross political and economic boundaries. The migratory fish stocks in question utilise freshwater estuarine, coastal and international marine habitat. The species are: Shad, Atlantic Salmon, Sea Trout, Sea Lamprey, European Eel, Smelt and Eel. The perspective of the session could be how we will ecologically restore, protect and enhance fishery resources sustainably and long into the future? Could we use some innovative genetic techniques for defining the species migration paths and annual movements to evaluate the restoration? At which scales? Could development of aquaculture processes support reintroductions and supportive stocking? What improvement of natal spawning habitat under pressure from agriculture and climate change?
Oral presentations of special session 7 :
14.50 Restoration and enhancement of Atlantic salmon populations: what we have learned from North Iberian rivers
José Luis Horreo, Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino, Ivan Gonzalez Pola, Eva Garcia-Vazquez
15.10 Ecological restoration of Atlantic salmon according in the Adour catchment with special references to biogeographical structure
Jérôme Le Gentil, David Barracou, Jean-Claude Salavado
Coffe Break and poster session 4
17 : 10 Headwater stream riparian restoration: landscape structure importance on the success of ecological restoration of salmon rivers in Normandy , France
Ivan Bernez, Maryline Kneveler, Amandine Merlin, Yannick Delettre, Didier Le Coeur
17: 30 Some novel ideas on Payments for Ecosystem Services to fund restoration of areas targeted through whole catchment surveys and modelling
Dylan Bright
17 : 50 Building a collection of river hydromorphology restoration examples in France
18 : 10 General discussion
Restoration and enhancement of Atlantic salmon populations: what we have learned from North Iberian rivers
José Luis Horreo, Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino,
North Iberian Atlantic salmon populations are extremely vulnerable, as corresponding to the southernmost edge of the species’ natural distribution. They are experiencing a sharp decline the last decades, associated with global indicators of climate change. Efforts have been made for restoring those populations and stopping their decline, principally based on stocking, supportive breeding and habitat restoration (enabling accessibility to upstream spawning sites). The efficacy of the different measures has been different. In this study, focused on the central part of the region that contains the largest Spanish populations, we demonstrate that accessibility and habitat improvement has been the most efficient for increasing population censuses. Supportive breeding accounts for some level of census increase up to 10%. Finally, stocking should be discarded as a restoration method because it encompasses threats to natural variation of Atlantic salmon and also its sympatric species brown trout.
Jérôme Le Gentil, David Barracou, Jean-Claude Salavado
In a context of ecological engineering studies, genetic tools and biogeographical approach can be useful to evaluate the right and pertinent scale approach and the success of the population restoration. Ecological monitoring is essential to evaluate the effects of river restoration projects. Localised in the western Pyrenees, the
Headwater stream riparian restoration: landscape structure importance on the success of ecological restoration of salmon rivers in Normandy, France
In a typical bocage landscape in Normandy, France, a research project in ecological restoration is applied to the maintenance of salmon’s rivers in an agricultural context. The technical methodology of the restoration consisted of the exclosure of cattle: by the installation of fences and feeding troughs, river managers limit the access of the cattle to the brook to prevent from the erosion. Then, instead of planting trees, as done classically for maintaining the banks, the in situ experimentation, was to test the effect of passive restoration: a “laissez-faire” methodology and the ecological consequences was the main objective. Ecological surveys recorded the modification of the riparian vegetation (herbaceous and ligneous species were considered) and some non-target species influenced by the vegetation changes, as butterflies. A method of multivariate analysis treated, on a hierarchical basis, the factors which determine the composition of the riparian vegetation. The principal factors which differentiate the riparian vegetation seemed to be related to the recent anthropic impacts (pasture, with the trampling of banks by animals) and old ones (bocage structure: woodlands and hedges). The secondary factors are related to aspects of hydromorphology and the longitudinal river gradient. In term of richness, comparison between two brooks showed great differences according to island-like system functioning. These riparian changes will strongly contribute to create a connectivity of the woody elements on the brook which did not exist: from 21% of disconnected hedges, one passes to 3 %. On 29 taxa of butterflies, 12 taxa represented less than 10% of the 1864 butterflies observed. Perspectives of evaluation of best restoration practices have to be relevant at landscape scales: that is to consider taxa known as indicators of a landscape quality structure, selection of plants and animals could be proposed and validated. These results are helpful to communicate on the importance on non-target species in a ecological restoration project and on the importance on more communication between managers and scientists with different professional backgrounds, as hydrobiology, landscape ecology, agronomy, etc…
Some novel ideas on Payments for Ecosystem Services to fund restoration of areas targeted through whole catchment surveys and modelling
Dylan Bright
Conservation and resource protection over the years has evolved. By and large, conservation initially took the form of ‘fortress conservation’ and this is still the most prevalent form in the
Building a collection of river hydromorphology restoration examples in
Josée Peress
Since 2000, the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) has set ambitious environmental objectives for the ecological status of rivers and has put an emphasis on river continuity. However the WFD risk assessments showed that hydromorphological pressures and impacts are one of the most important risks of failing to achieve WFD objectives. Restoring the river’s hydromorphology is therefore an important catalyst that needs to be amplified across the French territory in order to improve to the aquatic ecosystems. One way towards multiplying and implementing new restoration projects is the dissemination of past and on going examples and their promotion amongst others who could take on similar actions (associations, local authorities, landowners, …). This is what the tool “collection of examples” aims to do. The French agency for water and ecosystem (ONEMA) and the six French water agencies (Agences de l’eau) have together selected a number of restoration projects that have taken place over the last 20 years on French rivers. Mainly ones that aim to re-establish natural hydromorphological processes such as weir or bank removal, remeandering. For each of these restoration projects (about 70 of them) are reported not just the type of works carried out but also the context in which the project emerged, the decision making leading to it, the monitoring carried out if there was any, the outcome of the restoration and its valorisation. The collection of examples (“le recueil d’expériences” ) will be available in paper format and can be found at the website http://www.zones-humides.eaufrance.fr
Special session 8
Friday 27 August (10.30 - 12.30 am) Chambre du trésorier room
Eroded areas: ecological restoration? Different solutions for different ecological and socio-economic issues in river catchments
Freddy Rey
Cemagref Grenoble, 2 rue de la Papeterie BP 76 38402 St-Martin-d’Hères cedex, France. freddy.rey@cemagref.fr
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In different areas in
Oral presentations of special session 8 :
10 : 30 Soil bioengineering treatments for degraded riparian ecosystems
David Polster
10 : 50 Eco-engineering: initial plant diversity and soil stability
Frank Graf
11 : 10 Anthropogenic alterations of solid transport in rivers: how can they be resolved?
Jean-René Malavoi, Norbert Landon
11 : 30 Bedload deficit alters river floodplains: consequences of river incision on functioning and biodiversity of riverine wetlands
Gudrun Bornette
11 : 50 & 12 : 10 General discussion
Soil bioengineering treatments for degraded riparian ecosystems
David Polster
Soil bioengineering is the use of living plant materials to perform some engineering function. Treatments have been developed to solve a variety of riparian problems. Soil bioengineering treatments are modelled on the natural processes that provide solutions to degraded riparian areas. Plant species that will root readily from dormant stem cuttings are used. Willows (Salix spp.), some poplars (Populus spp.) and red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) are commonly used in western North America. Live gravel bar staking can be used to stabilize excess sediment in streams and therefore speeds the process of pioneering vegetation establishing on gravel bars and starting the successional processes that eventually lead to productive riparian forests. Live bank protection provides an erosion-resistant face for eroding stream banks. As the plant materials used in the construction of live bank protection grows, the shoots from the new growth serve to slow near shore water velocities thus further reducing erosive forces and providing an opportunity for sediment in the water to be deposited. Live silt fences can be used in small ditches and drainages to slow flow velocities allowing sediment to drop out. As the plant materials used in the live silt fences sprout and grow, a wooded wetland is created that serves to capture sediment and address some pollutants that may be present. Wattle fences can be used to stabilize steep streambank slopes by creating small terraces on the slope. In addition to the growth of the cuttings used to construct the wattle fences, by stopping the constant movement of surface materials on over-steepened slopes, the wattle fences provide an opportunity for pioneering species to establish. Live pole drains can be used to address seepage areas on disturbed slopes, initiating the successional recovery of these unstable areas. Soil bioengineering methods can also be used to manage invasive species by providing successional advancement past the stagnant weedy stage. Creation of an instant canopy of woody species can suppress the growth of problem weeds such as reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and blackberry (Rubus discolor). Examples are drawn from over 30 years of experience by the author.
Eco-engineering: initial plant diversity and soil stability
Frank Graf
Plant diversity is a key issue in eco-engineering. Different investigations have been pointing to its importance in view of slope stabilisation and, consequently, it is conventionally recommended to rely on species-rich measures. The persisting and heavy rainstorms from 20th to 22nd August in 2005 resulted in loss of human lives and tremendous damage on infrastructure all over
Anthropogenic alterations of solid transport in rivers: how can they be resolved?
Jean-René Malavoi, Norbert Landon
Since the spectacular collapse of the Wilson Bridge in Tours (1978), which revealed the hydromorphological impacts of aggregate extraction from the river, many studies have evaluated the direct and indirect effects on streams, from the substantial reduction of bedloads since the end of the 19th century and the resulting widespread incision of riverbeds.
The reduction in solid bedload and incision result mainly from extraction of aggregates in low-water channels, but many other factors, both natural (global warming since the end of the Little Ice Age) and anthropogenic (stabilisation of watersheds, flushing and dredging, dams and sills), have also contributed, with variable intensities depending on the region and the type of stream. The best-known impacts of these incision processes related to alterations of solid bedload transport are (1) lowering of alluvial groundwater and its indirect effects such as drying of river ecosystems and the reduction of low-cost and high-quality drinking-water, le scouring bridges, levees, river bank protections, etc.; (2) increased erosion of unprotected riverbanks by streams seeking to compensate for the deficiency in solid bedload by lateral sediment reloading and a reduction of slope by increased sinuosity and (3) modification of the nature of the riverbeds or denuding of the rocky substratum, with repercussions on aquatic and riparian biocenosis (developing on mobile alluvial riverbanks), whose alluvial substratum makes up a special habitat. Hereafter we present a few points on the impacts of diverse anthropogenic interventions on bedload transport and the leads that could be explored in an attempt to resolve them. First, however, an introduction on the natural modification of the climate in the middle of the 19th century will add to a better understanding of the climate context in which these interventions take place.
Bedload deficit alters river floodplains: consequences of river incision on functioning and biodiversity of riverine wetlands
Gudrun Bornette
The increase of human activities during the last Century led to deep modifications of river functioning, through the very strong decrease of their spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Many parameters have been altered, as hydrology, bedload grain size and channel mobility. A major consequence of such anthropogenic constraints is the sometimes huge incision of most large European rivers. Riverine wetlands contribute for a dominant part to the aquatic biodiversity in river floodplains, and provide many functions and services to human societies. The aim of this presentation is to analyse the short and long-term consequences of river incision on the functioning and biodiversity of such wetlands. At the wetland scale, two main processes are described: first, the consequences of the decrease of lateral mobility of the river, which alter the disturbance regime in remaining wetlands, i.e. their dynamics and biodiversity, but also the potentiality of creation of new wetlands; second, the consequences of river channel deepening on the perenniality and the hydro geological functioning of wetlands. At the larger scale of the river, the short and long terms consequences of such processes on functional heterogeneity of wetlands are then briefly described.