A review of the use of direct seeding and seedling plantings in restoration: what do we know and where should we go?

Abstract

Questions To select the best method to restore an ecosystem requires an understanding of the various outcomes commonly achieved through different restoration techniques. What method results in the most timely and cost‐effective means of reinstating biodiversity and restoring ecosystem functions and services? Methods We explored the efficacy and costs of two re‐vegetation techniques commonly used in ecosystem restoration: direct seeding and planting of seedlings. Our analysis focused on 120 scientific peer‐reviewed publications reporting on experiments using seeds or seedlings, and encompassed a range of ecosystems such as wetlands, savannas and forests. We examined current restoration issues, including species diversity, survival, species selection, costs and how future climate change may influence restoration efforts. Results Direct seeding experiments used more species than seedling studies, yet showed lower survivorship. Species availability is the major constraint in the selection of which species were used, regardless of the approach employed. Although costs are extremely important when planning a restoration project, few published findings report on the economic aspects of ecosystem restoration. Further, we did not find any study addressing the impacts of global climate change on restoration programmes or how studies should consider future shifts in the environment. Conclusions Our results highlight the need for restoration experiments to explore more species. Restoration efforts are in need of detailed reporting that includes time frames and costs. We need to consider future climate scenarios that will affect ecosystem restoration efforts.

How to select potential species for ecological restoration of rain forest ‒ southern Brazil

“…Still, according to it, more research is needed to select appropriate species to meet the specific ecological requirements of the ecosystems. The lack of deepening in this theme was reported by Palma and Laurence (2015), analyzing 120 restoration works, noting that 30% of the experiments did not report the reason for the use of the selected species.…”

“…To Palma and Laurence (2015), the selection of species is significantly limited and potentially undermined by the availability of propagules and seedlings. The authors also highlight, among the fundamental characteristics, the phenotypic functions and genotypic plasticity in plant selection, and the rustification of seedlings in nurseries, prior to planting.…”

“…In addition, the monitoring of such regenerating areas can provide relevant information regarding the species being initially established, and may serve as a basis for the selection of potential species to be used in restoration projects in different environments ; Daronco et al, 2013;Marcuzzo et al, 2014), since the collection of matrix seeds in the surroundings of the area where the restoration will be carried out can increase the probability of reforestation success, in terms of survival and growing (Sebben, 2006), as well as guarantee the local genetic of plants and allow greater ecological adaptation plasticity to the local conditions (Palma and Laurence, 2015).…”

Seedling growth and survival of five tree species in secondary forests and adjacent pastures in the montane rain forests of southern Costa Rica

“…Nonetheless, our knowledge about the growth and survival of most tropical tree species in degraded habitats is scarce and has mostly limited to a small group of species, usually those with economic importance. Exploring the behavior of different species is relevant in order to achieve successful restoration projects (Palma & Laurance, 2015). For instance, tropical montane forest is one of the most threatened ecosystem but very few works have addressed the potential of native species to restore this habitat.…”

Comparação de técnicas para restauração da vegetação lenhosa de Cerrado em pastagens abandonadas

“…Diante desta demanda, inúmeros esforços têm sido destinados à restauração. Contudo, ações relacionadas à conservação e restauração, tradicionalmente, têm sido direcionadas a florestas tropicais (Overbeck et al 2013, Palma & Laurance 2015. Só muito recentemente a necessidade de conservação e valorização dos campos e savanas tropicais no mundo vem ganhando espaço na literatura internacional (Bond & Parr 2010, Lehmann 2010, Parr et al 2014, Veldman et al 2015a, Veldman et al 2015b, Veldman et al 2015c.…”