Restoring ecosystem structure and functioning to an uncertain future under global change

Organizer

Alice Nunes?|?Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ci?ncias, Universidade de Lisboa

Cristina Branquinho?|?Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ci?ncias, Universidade de Lisboa

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Speakers

Susana Bautista |?Department of Ecology and IMEM, University of Alicante, Spain

Melanie K?bel |?Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ci?ncias, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

Helena C. Serrano |?Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ci?ncias, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

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Abstract

Land degradation caused by anthropogenic and natural impacts is a major problem worldwide, leading to biodiversity loss and threatening human wellbeing. Current environmental change due to climate or land use changes are additional global pressure factors affecting biological systems. The main means to counteract land degradation and to repair degraded ecosystems is through restoration. In addition, restoration plays a key role in climate change mitigation and is a major opportunity for climate change adaptation, strengthening the resilience of socio-ecological systems to climate-driven hazards.

Adopting restoration solutions based on appropriate species mix and techniques, combined with assisted regeneration and passive restoration practices, may contribute effectively to restore damaged ecosystems. Yet, uncertainties remain on how to achieve the best results in restoration, particularly under a global change scenario. Also, recovery rates are slow, restoration trajectories often unpredictable, and growing evidence suggests that the final stages of recovery are the most challenging to achieve. The main objective of this symposium is to gather restoration examples in response to different degradation causes as a basis for a more general discussion about the role of ecosystem restoration in the era of global change, and potential strategies and challenges to deal with an uncertain future.

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Short Presentations

Restoring species-diverse vegetation patches: A nature-based solution for dryland restoration
Susana Bautista

Is grazing exclusion an effective measure to improve tree regeneration and plant functional diversity in a cork oak woodland?
Melanie K?bel

Challenges in mine ecological restoration
Helena C. Serrano