Environmental restoration of invaded ecosystems: How much versus how often?

Abstract

This paper derives the optimal level of restorative efforts required to restore environments degraded by invasive species invasion. Specific attention is focused on a case when the restoration faces the risk of failure through relapse of the restored environment. The level of restored environment may also play a role in its future improvement or susceptibility to failure. The tradeoff between the optimal level of environmental quality and number of restorative efforts required to attain that given environmental quality is analyzed.

The exotic shrub Rosa rubiginosa as a nurse plant. Implications for the restoration of disturbed temperate forests in Patagonia, Argentina

“…Exotic trees and shrubs recorded under R. rubiginosa are shade-intolerant species; they do not need a nurse plant for initial recruitment but they do not grow in the OM because they suffer heavy grazing pressure and do not survive as well as native species. However, their presence and growth should be monitored because there are several examples where exotic plants cause long-term problems in restoration areas (Zavaleta et al, 2001;D'Antonio and Meyerson, 2002;Ranjan, 2008). Becerra and Montenegro (2012), studying natural regeneration under the exotic Pinus radiata recommend analysis of the potential for nurse plant elimination before using this strategy for forest restoration.…”

The role of restoration in the prevention of a large-scale native species loss: Case study of the invasive emerald ash borer

“…We examine the optimal expenditures to prevent (or at least delay) an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) invasion in Colorado, U.S.A, given that managers would attempt to restore wooded areas, parks and streets to such an extent that society may continue to derive economic and environmental services from it. Indeed, if prevention fails, policymakers often invest in restoring habitats to a semblance of their uninvaded states, especially habitats that provide ecosystem services to society (Ranjan, 2008). Restoration techniques require either eradicating the pest and rehabilitating the eroded environment, or substituting the affected species in an ecosystem with a pestresistant species (Hobbs et al, 2009;Merkle et al, 2007;Bakker and Wilson, 2004;Berger, 1993).…”

Challenges of Integrated Water Resources Management in Indonesia

“…The involvement of stakeholders to restore and maintain the natural stream flow regime of a river is a key part of building a sustainable water management initiative. The level of restored environment may also play a role in its future improvement [3].…”