Ecological knowled ge plays a signifi cant role in ensuring effi cient ecological restoration. We conducted a systematic review to assess if suffi cient ecological knowledge has been accumulated to aid restoration practices for the Cerrado, a Brazilian biome dominated by savanna ecosystems and threatened by anthropogenic disturbances.Most Cerrado restoration studies were performed by few research groups and focused primarily on two vegetation types: cerrado sensu stricto (typical savanna) and riparian forest. We also found that defi ning reference ecosystems and selecting plant species for restoration programs is neglected, mostly disregarding their original occurrence and proportion of plant growth forms. Furthermore, studies lacked standardized and systematic evaluation of restoration outcomes. Hence, we argue that current ecological knowledge is insuffi cient to guarantee the success of large-scale ecological restoration of the Cerrado. We strengthen the need to explicitly defi ne the reference ecosystem for each Cerrado ecosystem and use its structure and composition as guidance for ecological restoration research, which should be based on a scientifi c approach. We encourage investigations into ecological dynamics and natural regeneration of the different vegetation types of the Cerrado and highlight the importance of integrating such knowledge with environmental laws, societal engagement and cost-effective techniques to advance Cerrado ecological restoration.
Background and Aims: Rock outcrop vegetation is distributed worldwide and hosts a diverse, specialised, and unique flora that evolved under extremely harsh environmental conditions. The germination ecology in such ecosystems has received little attention, especially regarding the association between seed traits, germination responses and adult plants ecology. Here, we provide a quantitative and meta–analytical review of the seed functional ecology of Brazilian rocky outcrop vegetation, focusing on four vegetation types:campo rupestre,canga,campo de altitudeand inselbergs. Methods: Using a database with functional trait data for 383 taxa and 10,187 germination records for 281 taxa, we calculated the phylogenetic signal of seven seed traits and tested whether they varied among growth forms, geographical distributions, and microhabitats. We also conducted a meta–analysis to understand the effects of light, temperature, and fire–related cues on the germination ofcampo rupestrespecies and how the before mentioned ecological groups and seed mass affect such responses. Key Results: All traits showed a strong phylogenetic signal.Campo rupestrespecies responded positively to light and had optimal germination between 20–30 °C. The effect of temperatures below and above this range was modulated by growth form, with shrubs requiring and tolerating higher temperatures to germinate. We only found evidence of a moderating effect of seed mass for responses to heat shocks, with larger, dormant seeds tolerating heat better. Heat shocks above 200 °C killed seeds, but smoke accelerated germination. No consistent differences in germination responses were found between restricted and widespread species or microhabitats. Still, species from xeric habitats evolved phenological strategies to synchronise germination with higher soil water availability. Conclusions: Evolutionary history plays a major role in the seed ecology of Brazilian rock outcrop vegetation. However, seed traits and germination responses did not explain species geographic distribution and microhabitats, suggesting other traits are more likely to explain such differences.
To achieve the ambitious goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, restoration frameworks should embrace the diversity of ecosystems found on Earth, including open‐canopy ecosystems, which have been largely overlooked. Considering the paucity of scientific foundations promoting restoration science, policy, and practice for open tropical ecosystems, we provide overarching guidelines to restore the campo rupestre, a Neotropical, open megadiverse grassland that has been increasingly threatened by multiple human activities, especially mining. Restoration techniques for tropical grasslands are still at its infancy, and attempts to restore campo rupestre have had, so far, low to moderate success, highlighting the need for a tailored restoration framework. In a scenario of increasing degradation and scarcity of on‐site restoration experiments, we propose 10 principles to improve our ability to plan, implement, and monitor restoration in campo rupestre: (1) include socioeconomic dimensions, (2) implement active restoration, (3) keep low soil fertility, (4) restore disturbance regimes, (5) address genetic structure and adaptation potential, (6) restore geographically restricted and specialized ecological interactions, (7) incorporate functional approaches, (8) use seed‐based restoration strategies to enhance biodiversity, (9) translocation is inevitable, and (10) long‐term monitoring is mandatory. Our principles represent the best available evidence to support better science and practice for the restoration of campo rupestre and, to some extent, can be useful for other megadiverse, fire‐prone, and nutrient‐poor ecosystems.
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