Find research datasets worth reusing

opencc-by-4.0Sep 2022View details →

Species occurrence data for Colorado restoration project (derived dataset from GBIF)

GBIF species occurrence data downloaded for 53 species included a restoration project. The data have been cleaned to remove incorrect and imprecise coordinates, as well as records older than 1950.

opencc-zeroSep 2022View details →

Data from: A field experiment exploring disturbance-and-recovery, and restoration methodology of Zostera capensis to support its role as a coastal protector

This DRYAD data set covers statistical analysis for the study, "Seagrass restoration experiment to support coastal protection." Dataset attached covers row data regarding field experiments carried out to demonstrate the time needed for the seagrass to recover after disturbance (imitation of anthropogenic impact). The data is centered on showing the evolution (increase) of seagrass shoot density after a quantified period (time series over a year) where the pressure to seagrass is halted. Halting of pressure would resemble a total ban or reduction of anthropogenic impact of digging and revolving of seagrass; action carried out by communities, aiming to collect clams and other shellfish. This data covers also variation in sediments and epiphytes. Additional data is provided on the seagrass restoration methodology that was added to the above-mentioned experiment. The IUCN Red listed Vulnerable seagrass species, Zostera capensis was tested using the plug method (a sediment-based methodology). Two size plugs, made of PVC tube, were tested: 4.5 cm and 7.5 cm diameter size, over a 12-month period (measurements carried out on four occasions). The 7.5 PVC tube experiment revealed a higher survival rate and is therefore a more suitable method for future Z. capensis restoration in impacted areas. These data can be re-used as long as it cites the original data (this paper). To comply with best practices, we recommend mentioning the source of the data.

opencc-zeroOct 2022View details →

Survey results for: Public perceptions of cultural ecosystem services provided by beach nourishment and eelgrass restoration in southern Sweden

Ecosystem-based protection is becoming a viable adaptation option to conventional engineered solutions to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. While the environmental and biological ecosystem services provided by ecosystem-based adaptation measures such as beach nourishment and/or seagrass plantations are being acknowledged and analysed, less attention has been paid to the social or cultural dimensions of these services. This paper builds upon the emerging body of research that explores cultural ecosystem services in coastal areas and how they are perceived by the people who live, work and recreate in these areas. The aim of the paper is to take stock of and understand public and stakeholder perceptions of the cultural ecosystem services that may accrue through eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration in tandem with beach nourishment in Southern Sweden. The empirical research is based on an online open-ended questionnaire in the coastal municipalities of Båstad, Trelleborg, Ystad and Kristianstad. The results demonstrate that virtually all respondents had noticed a change in the coastline in recent years, mainly that the coastline had retreated. While beach nourishment measures were recognized among respondents to counter the shoreline erosion, there was very little understanding of the role that eelgrass plantations can play in creating biodiversity and benefits for society. Still, most acknowledged the importance of making room for water and biodiversity at the coast, stating how the coastline was valued for primarily health and spiritual reasons. This knowledge will help local, regional, and national decision-makers and regulatory authorities to make evidence-based choices for coastal protection, by complementing the analysis of environmental and physical ecosystem-services with cultural and socio-economic considerations. Nature-based solutions such as eelgrass reintroduction or beach nourishment should be tailored to the values, perspectives, and perceptions of the local communities to help ensure their continued contribution to biodiversity.

opencc-by-4.0Oct 2022View details →

Dataset: Selecting tree species to restore forest under climate change conditions: complementing species distribution models with field experimentation

This repository contains the files associated with the following article: Jesús Sandoval-Martínez, Ernesto I. Badano, Francisco A. Guerra-Coss, Jorge A. Flores Cano, Joel Flores, Sandra Milena Gelviz-Gelvez, Felipe Barragán-Torres, “Selecting tree species to restore forest under climate change conditions: complementing species distribution models with field experimentation”, submitted to Journal of Environmental Management. Supplementary material 01 is a compressed file that contains two Microsoft Excel files with data that support the results of the study. A file correspond to Vachellia pennatula and the another file correspond to Prosopis laevigata. In both files, the first spreadsheet shows the occurrence data (latitude and longitude) used to calibrate the distribution model (SDM) of the corresponding species, the current values of the 19 bioclimatic variables associated with these coordinates and the Spearman correlation coefficients used to select the variables included in the SDM (selected variables are indicated in green). The second spreadsheet shows the current habitat occupancy probabilities of the target species estimated with the SDM at the geographic coordinates of occurrence points, while the table on the side shows the fraction of true presences dropping at the following probability categories: (1) habitat occupancy probabilities below 0.1 = unsuitable spatial units for the species, (2) habitat occupancy probabilities between 0.1 and 0.4 = barely suitable spatial units for the species, (3) habitat occupancy probabilities between 0.4 and 0.7 = moderately suitable spatial units for the species, and (4) habitat occupancy probabilities above 0.7 = highly suitable spatial units for the species. The third spreadsheet shows the one-thousand random geographic coordinates and the corresponding current and future habitat occupancy probabilities of each species. Future habitat occupancy probabilities are provided for three time periods (2041-2060, 2061-2080 and 2081-2100) at four radiative forcing levels each (2.6, 4.5, 7.0 and 8.5 W/m2). Supplementary material 02 is a compressed file that contains a folder for Vachellia pennatula and another folder for Prosopis laevigata. Each of these folders contains the summaries of the MaxEnt outputs that support the results of the corresponding SDM. Supplementary material 03 is a compressed Keyhole Markup Language file (KMZ) that contains interactive maps that are optimized for the desktop version of Google Earth. To accelerate visualization of maps, we recommend installing this software in a computer meeting the following requirements: CPU Intel Core i5 9th generation or higher, CPU clock speed 1.8 GHz or higher, random-access memory (RAM) 8 GB or higher, and video random access memory (VRAM) 1 GB or higher. Otherwise, opening this file may take several minutes. These maps are organized in a folder for Vachellia pennatula and another folder for Prosopis laevigata, which must be expanded for accessing the following information (click on the arrow on the left of folders to expand them): <ul> <li>Current climate – Activating this folder (click the fox on the left of the folder) display the map of habitat occupancy probabilities of species across Mexico under the current climate.</li> <li>Period 2041-2060, 2061-2080  and 2081-2100 – Expanding each of these folders (click on the arrow on the left of folders) shows four subfolders that correspond to different radiative forcing levels (2.6, 4.5, 7.0 and 8.5 W/m2). Activating each of these sub folders (click the fox on the left of subfolders) display the map of habitat occupancy probabilities of species across Mexico expected on the corresponding time period and radiative forcing level. These maps also show the areas classified as climatically unsuitable in the multivariate environmental similarity surface (MESS) analysis. Clicking on the names of subfolders displays a figure showing the relationship between current and future habitat occupancy probabilities of the species on the corresponding time period and radiative forcing level. In these figures, the red line is the empirical relationship between these variables and the solid blue line is the theoretical relationship with intercept = 0 and slope = 1. The statistical results that support these relationships are also shown in these figures.</li> </ul> Supplementary material 04 is a compressed file that contains two Microsoft Excel files with data that support the results of the study. the file labeled as “Microclimate data” contains two spreadsheets, which correspond to the temperature and rainfall values measured in controls under the current climate and climate change simulation plots located of the field experiments. The file levelled as “Seedling emergence and survival” contains a spreadsheet for Vachellia pennatula and another one for Prosopis laevigata, which contains the data used to estimate the seedling emergence and survival rates in controls and climate change simulation plots.

opencc-zeroOct 2022View details →

Data for: Whole-of-community invertebrate rewilding: Leaf litter transplants rapidly increase beetle diversity during restoration

Restoration of degraded areas is now a central tool in humanity's response to continued species loss. However, restoration projects often report exceedingly slow or failed recolonization of fauna, especially dispersal-constrained groups such as invertebrates. Active interventions via reintroducing or "rewilding" invertebrates may assist recolonization and speed up the restoration of communities towards a desired target. However, invertebrate rewilding is rarely implemented during ecological restoration. Here, we studied the efficacy of invertebrate rewilding as a means of improving diversity and compositional similarities to remnant communities during restoration. Rewilding was conducted by transplanting leaf litter and soil, including associated communities of invertebrates from species-rich remnant sites into species-poor and geographically isolated revegetated farmland sites. We sampled pre- and post-rewilding invertebrate communities in remnant, rewilded revegetation, and control revegetation sites. Our data contains mesoinvertebrate (<5mm in size) community samples from 6 sites within each of our 3 treatments. We took 8 subsamples measuring 25 cm by 25 cm containing the entire mesoinvertebrate leaf litter community from each site across 4 different seasons. The first season was a pre-treatment baseline measurement and was taken in November 2018. Thereafter, we sampled 7-, 18-, and 27- months post-rewilding. Our data contains a range of traits for each morphospecies (Size in mm, trophic group, and whether they were winged or flightless) and two environmental variables measured at each site (Volumetric water content and elevation). We included these for our Hierarchical Modelling of Species Community (HMSC) approach to determine whether biological properties of species or environmental variables were driving species distributions. Beetle (Coleoptera) morphospecies richness increased rapidly in rewilded sites and was indistinguishable from remnant communities as early as 7 months post-rewilding. Beetle community similarity in the rewilding sites significantly deviated from the control sites 27 months post-rewilding, however, remnant communities remained distinct over the study timeframe. Establishment success varied as other taxa did not respond as consistently as beetles within the study timeframe. Our results demonstrate that the relatively simple act of transplanting leaf litter can result in comparatively large increases in morphospecies richness during restoration in a short timeframe.

opencc-zeroMay 2024View details →

Data from: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative human wellbeing survey

This dataset represents a comprehensive exploration of ecosystem restoration practices and their impacts on both ecological and human wellbeing indicators. Traditionally, ecosystem restoration efforts have focused on ecological benchmarks such as water and habitat quality, species abundance, and vegetation cover. However, there is an increasing recognition of the interplay between restoration and human communities, evidenced by positive socio-ecological connections like property value, natural hazard mitigation, recreation opportunities, and overall happiness. With the United Nations declaring 2021-2030 as the "Decade of Ecosystem Restoration" and a push for more socio-ecological goals in restoration, this dataset delves into the degree to which restoration practitioners consider human wellbeing. It is based on a case study of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a federally funded program that has awarded over $3.5 billion to 5,300 projects. A total of 1,574 GLRI projects were surveyed, with 437 responses received, revealing that almost half of these projects set human wellbeing goals, and more than 70% believed they achieved them. In comparison, 90% of project managers believed they met their ecological goals. This dataset highlights the documented perceptions of positive impacts on both people and nature, suggesting that restoration efforts often go beyond traditional indicators. As such, it advocates for the adoption of a socio-ecological perspective in ecosystem restoration programs to comprehensively document the full extent of restoration outcomes. The data collection process included a survey methodology, and the dataset provides insights into project design, implementation, and success measurements. The data was collected between November 2020 and March 2021, with a maximum of three contact attempts for each project. It offers a unique perspective on the relationship between ecosystem restoration and human wellbeing, emphasizing the importance of capturing the often "unseen" benefits of these projects.

opencc-by-4.0Apr 2024View details →

Data Accompanying "Leveraging successional facilitation to improve restoration of foundational dune grasses along a frequently disturbed coastline"

<div> <h1>Experimental Data accompanying "Leveraging successional facilitation to improve restoration of foundational dune grasses along a frequently disturbed coastline"</h1> Authors: Hallie Fischman, Copeland Cromwell, Joe Morton, Ralph Temmink, Tjisse van der Heide, Pete Adams, Christine Angelini <h1>Manuscript Abstract</h1> <a href="https://github.com/halliefischman1/Dune-Succession/blob/main/README.md#manuscript-abstract"></a></div> Coastal ecosystems provide critical storm and flood protection services, but are rapidly degrading worldwide, making their restoration urgent. Here, we evaluated whether successional facilitation, where pioneers facilitate climax species, could be leveraged to accelerate coastal dune revegetation. A survey spanning 270km of Southeast US coastline revealed that Panicum amarum (bitter panicum) supported higher plant richness than Uniola paniculata (sea oats), and that sea oat cover was 230% greater on mature dunes than disturbed dunes, suggesting bitter panicum functions as a pioneer and sea oats is a climax species. A reciprocal transplant experiment confirmed this interpretation: bitter panicum stem production and height fell by 37% and >20 cm, respectively, when planted proximate to sea oats versus in isolation, whereas sea oats produced 38% more and >12 cm taller stems when planted proximate to bitter panicum versus in isolation. A second experiment evaluating the density-dependence of this facilitative interaction revealed that sea oats transplanted into low densities of bitter panicum grew >15% taller than isolated and high-density treatments. However, within seven months, wave inundation eliminated >60% propagules in both experiments. To explore foredune inundation frequency and its implications for dune revegetation, we applied empirical wave runup models at 101 locations throughout Volusia County, Florida. While disturbance frequency varied seasonally and annually, sites with low dune crests and steep beach slopes experienced frequent inundation (>50 events/year). Given the interactions between geomorphology and vegetation success, we present decision matrix to guide managers in determining optimal revegetation methods tailored to project goals and site conditions. <div> <h1>Methods and Data Description</h1> <a href="https://github.com/halliefischman1/Dune-Succession/blob/main/README.md#methods-and-data-description"></a></div> Experiment 1: Uniola paniculata (sea oats) and panicum amarum (bitter panicum) were planted in one of three treatments. Controls are in bare areas, Adjacent treatments (adj) are planted 50cm away from naturally occuring patches of the other species (ie, SO-adj-NPA is sea oats planted adjacent to natural bitter panicum), and Within treatments are planted in a naturally occuring patch of the other species (ie, SO-in-NPA is sea oats planted into a patch of natural bitter panicum). Each replicate consisted of 5 transplant propagules in an X configuration. At each monitoring, all stems were counted and the maximum height of each plot was measured. Plot treatments were reassigned during monitoring, if needed, such that any plot with the heterospecific growing within the 0.25 m2 area was considered a “within plot” and any plot with the heterospecific <50 cm away was considered an “adjacent plot”. See maunscript for additional details. Experiment 2: Sea oats were planted in the same configuration (5 propagules in an X) surrounded by varrying densities of natural bitter panicum. At each monitoring, we counted all bitter panicum stems within a 1m radius of the transplant, all propogule stems, and measured the height of the tallest transplant in each plot. Treatments were binned based on the number of surrounding bitter panicum stems at the final monitoring point: “Zero”, containing no stems within the 1 m radius (n=20 plots); “Low”, 1-9 stems in the surrounding 1 m radius (n=46 plots); “Mid” 10-34 stems in the 1 m radius (n=29 plots); and “High”, 35-70 stems in the 1m radius (n=25 plots). See manuscript for additional details. Datasets contains stem counts and heights of planted grasses over time. Stem counts are provided for each of the 5 propagules that comprise a single experimental unit, and a single maximum height is provided per plot. Plots were monitored approximately bimonthly until grasses were eroded by waves (see manuscript). Additional information on treatments are provided in the manuscript and data methods sections.

opencc-by-4.0May 2024View details →

A Stochastically Generated meteorological forcings for the Laurentian Great Lakes to support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The dataset consists of three folders, each with time series for the Laurentian Great Lakes and their contributing watersheds:  <ol> <li>"observed_historical.zip" : containing daily forcings for Large Lake Thermodynamics Model and Large Basin Runoff Model and Overlake Precipitation time series from GLERL Hydrometeorological Database and consistent with the inputs of GLSGyFS software.</li> <li>"baseline.zip" :  1000-yr long simulated daily meteorological time series using the Stochastic Weather Generator, without any thermodynamic climate perturbations. </li> <li>"scenarios.zip" : 30 scenarios of each 1000-yr long simulated daily meteorological time series using the Stochastic Weather Generator with different thermodynamic perturbations, consistent with Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) projections for the Great Lakes region. </li> </ol>   Acknowledgements:  This work was funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan 3, Focus Area 5.2 Conduct Comprehensive Science Programs and Projects. Funding for this work was also provided through the National Science Foundation Grant No. CBET-2144332, and the U.S. Geological Survey Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, which is managed by the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center, under Grant/Cooperative Agreement No. G21AC10601-00. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center or the U.S. Geological Survey.

opencc-zeroMay 2024View details →

Tibetan pastoralists' attitudes toward grassland degradation and restoration

Ecosystem restoration practices are gaining prominence in coping with the crisis of ecosystem degradation. To improve the long-term effectiveness of restoration activities, community engagement in restoration projects needs to be strengthened. In communities where traditional and local values drive adaptation to environmental changes, a community-engaged restoration approach requires the integration of restoration techniques and local value systems. In two pastoral communities on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, we used the Q method to explore pastoralists' attitudes towards grassland degradation and restoration and to understand different levels of community engagement in grassland restoration activities. Through this study, we aim to promote an understanding of the value-based approach of local communities to enable better community engagement for the long-term effectiveness of ecosystem restoration projects, and contribute to the achievement and synergy of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study revealed eight types of pastoralists with different attitudes in two communities, with the type of Active Agents leveraging transformative restoration action through creating value-inclusive narratives of grassland restoration in the community with a higher level of engagement in restoration practices. Alongside this, we explored the pastoralists' perspectives of biodiversity in restoration and the importance of local elites in facilitating multiple-actor cooperation in restoration projects. We recommend that decision-makers recognize the significance of local worldviews and values in facilitating environmental adaptations, as well as the irreplaceable role played by local people in developing value-inclusive narratives that align with the local cultural context. Open dialogues and sufficient communication between multiple stakeholders are needed to build mutual trust and accumulate social capital for driving transformative actions in traditional communities. Such approaches are essential to foster community engagement and gain better momentum in ecosystem management initiatives.

opencc-zeroMay 2024View details →

Data from: Restoring heathlands after afforestation on two islands in western Norway

The ongoing loss of red-listed coastal heathlands is a threat to biodiversity and cultural heritage legacies throughout the Atlantic coastal regions of Europe. It is possible to restore degraded and afforested heathlands, but restoration interventions are often labour-intensive and costly, and the outcome of specific restoration actions is not well documented. We assess the efficiency of restoring coastal heathlands through natural succession (i.e. "passive restoration") after removal of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) plantations. The study was replicated on two neighbouring islands in a nature reserve in Western Norway. Low-intensity free-range sheep grazing was implemented as part of the reserve management plan. Furthermore, we tested the effect of leaving the clear-felled woody material as chips on site, this being a cost-efficient strategy on islands. Succession was monitored 1, 2, 4/5 and 8 years after clear-felling, and revegetation of vascular plants and bryophytes was compared to target heathland vegetation. Surprisingly, we found different successional trajectories on the two islands. Species composition on one island approached target heathland vegetation during succession, but not on the other. Wood chips reduced species richness and slowed the restoration process, but these negative effects were only short-term (< 8 years). Differences in seed bank composition and soil conditions due to land use may explain the deviating successional trajectories on the two islands. We also found that management actions beyond clear-felling and introducing sheep grazing are necessary due to the rapid seed regeneration of the Sitka spruce.

opencc-by-4.0Jun 2024View details →

Dataset_Social-ecological heterogeneity drove contrasting tree cover restoration in South China Karst

This is the dataset for manuscript "Social-ecological heterogeneity drove contrasting tree cover restoration in South China Karst".

opencc-by-4.0Jun 2024View details →

FIG. 3 in The Raymond Benoist microslide library of woods of French Guiana at the Herbarium of Paris (P): restoration and comments

FIG. 3. — Views of the Benoist slide collection as kept at P (present arrangement).

opencc-by-4.0May 2024View details →

Water table dynamics and surface soil moisture from an experimental peatland restoration area (Forsinard, Scotland, UK), 2017-2022/2023

This dataset is from an experiment aimed to understand the changes in water level and soil moisture dynamics after rewetting of formerly afforested blanket bog areas. Specifically, it was aiming to test whether the water table and soil moisture dynamics in these areas return to those of control areas that had never been drained or afforested. The data span the period of summer 2017- summer 2022/2023, with gaps in individual time series marked with -9999 entries.

Fig. 5 in Action Plan For The Fire-Bellied Toad Bombina Bombina In Latvia: Assessment Of The Implementation For Ten Years, Releasing From Aquaculture And Restoration Of Habitats In 2006-2016

Fig. 5. Invasive fish Perccottus glenii from pond of B.bombina (Ainavas).

Fig. 6. B in Action Plan For The Fire-Bellied Toad Bombina Bombina In Latvia: Assessment Of The Implementation For Ten Years, Releasing From Aquaculture And Restoration Of Habitats In 2006-2016

Fig. 6. B.bombina populations found in Latvia before and after BAP.

Fig. 1. B in Action Plan For The Fire-Bellied Toad Bombina Bombina In Latvia: Assessment Of The Implementation For Ten Years, Releasing From Aquaculture And Restoration Of Habitats In 2006-2016

Fig. 1. B.bombina tadpoles in aquaculture in the Latgales Zoo.

Fig.3 in Action Plan For The Fire-Bellied Toad Bombina Bombina In Latvia: Assessment Of The Implementation For Ten Years, Releasing From Aquaculture And Restoration Of Habitats In 2006-2016

Fig.3. Two new micro-reserves Strauti and Katriniski, established for B.bombina after BAP.

Fig. 4. Optimized pond for B in Action Plan For The Fire-Bellied Toad Bombina Bombina In Latvia: Assessment Of The Implementation For Ten Years, Releasing From Aquaculture And Restoration Of Habitats In 2006-2016

Fig. 4. Optimized pond for B.bombina population in Katriniski.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2014View details →

Fig. 7. Restored habitat 3 in P R O J E C T S O N E M Y S O R B I C U L A R I S (R E P T I L I A: Testudines: Emydidae) In Latvia For Thirty Years (1984 - 2014): Biological Aspects, Results And Effect On Population And Ecosystems

Fig. 7. Restored habitat 3: ponds system and eggs-laying places.