Engineering Microbial Biofilms for Improved Productivity of Biochemicals Important in Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems

Biofilms are being engineered in-vitro to produce numerous commodities like biofertilizers, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and electricity, the efficacies of which rely on the biochemicals secreted by the biofilms i.e. extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). It has been shown that once EPS-biochemicals of developed biofilms are applied to an ecosystem, they can restore degraded complex ecosystem networks for improved ecosystem functioning and sustainability. Identification of the EPS biochemicals and understanding their contributions to the network interactions in particular, are at initial stage. In the present study, using Aspergillus niger, Nostoc sp., and gram (-) Stenotrophomonas maltophilia & gram (+) Bacillus subtilis as test fungal (F), cyanobacterial (C), and bacterial (B) counterparts, respectively we analyzed morphology and biochemical parameters of fungal-bacterial (FBBs), fungal-cyanobacterial (FCBs), cyanobacterial-bacterial (CBBs), and fungal-cyanobacterial-bacterial biofilms (FCBBs). Results revealed that the FCBBs produced the highest concentrations of lipids, proteins, and polysaccharides whereas FBBs generated the highest diversity of biochemicals. Bacterial type (i.e. gram + or -) and microbial composition in the biofilm affected the biochemical production. Ecologically and industrially important diverse biochemicals which are used individually as medicines, bioremediating agents and industrial chemicals in human society with certain adverse and beneficial effects were detected in the biofilm-EPS. However, in the nature, simultaneous action of those diverse biochemicals applied as biofertilizers has already shown a huge potential to restore the entire agroecosystems degraded due to farmers’ detrimental practices. This striking difference in utilization of the biochemicals and their enhanced effect when they act simultaneously needs further investigations for their better applications.

深海环境海洋生态系统监测与修复新技术

The United Nations(UN)’s call for a decade of“ecosystem restoration”was prompted by the need to address the extensive impact of anthropogenic activities on natural ecosystems.Marine ecosystem restoration is increasingly necessary due to increasing habitat degredation in deep waters(>200 m depth).At these depths,which are far beyond those accessible by divers,only established and emerging robotic platforms such as remotely operated vehicles(ROVs),autonomous underwater vehicles(AUVs),landers,and crawlers can operate through manipulators and multiparametric sensor arrays(e.g.,optoacoustic imaging,omics,and environmental probes).The use of advanced technologies for deep-sea ecosystem restoration can provide:①high-resolution three-dimensional(3D)imaging and acoustic mapping of substrates and key taxa,②physical manipulation of substrates and key taxa,③real-time supervision of remote operations and long-term ecological monitoring,and④the potential to work autonomously.Here,we describe how robotic platforms with in situ manipulation capabilities and payloads of innovative sensors could autonomously conduct active restoration and monitoring across large spatial scales.We expect that these devices will be particularly useful in deep-sea habitats,such as①reef-building cold-water corals,②soft-bottom bamboo corals,and③soft-bottom fishery resources that have already been damaged by offshore industries(i.e.,fishing and oil/gas).

Study on Qianling Lake Restoration with Artificial Wetland

The ecological restoration of water quality in Qianling Lake was conducted by artificial wetland, which transformed N and P in wastewater into essential matters in organism tissues, so pollutants discharged into Qianting Lake were reduced for the purpose of restoration.

The carrying capacity for vegetation of forest land across China:Near real-time monitoring and short-term forecasting based on satellite observation

Ecological restoration projects implemented over the past 20 years have substantially increased forest coverage in China,but the high tree mortality of new afforestation forest remains a challenging but unsolved problem.It is still not clear how much vegetation can be sustained by the forest lands with given water,energy and soil conditions,i.e.,the carrying capacity for vegetation(CCV)of forest lands,which is the prerequisite for planning and implementing forest restoration projects.Here,we used a simplified method to evaluate the CCV across forest lands nationwide.Specifically,based on leaf area index(LAI)dataset,we use boosted regression tree and multiple linear regression model to analyze the CCV during 2001-2020 and 2021-2030 and explore the contribution of environmental factors.We find that there are three typical regions with lower CCV located in the Loess Plateau and the southern region of the Inner Mongolia Plateau,the Hengduan Mountain region,and the Tianshan Mountains.More importantly,the vegetation in the regions near the dry-wet climate transition zone show excess local carrying capacity for vegetation over the past two decades and they are more susceptible to potential climatic stress.In comparison,in the Greater Khingan Mountains and Hengduan Mountains,there is high potential to improve the forest growth.Temperature,precipitation and soil affects the CCV by shaping the vegetation in the optimal range.This indicates that more consideration should be given to restrictions of regional environmental constraints when planning afforestation and forest management.This study has important implications for guiding future forest scheme in China.

Cutting of Phragmites australis as a lake restoration technique： Productivity calculation and nutrient removal in Wuliangsuhai Lake, northern China

Reed is one of the most frequent and dominant species in wetlands all over the world, with common reed （Phragmites australis （Cav.） Trin. ex Steud.） as the most widely distributed species. In many wetlands, P. australis plays a highly ambivalent role. On the one hand, in many wetlands it purifies wastewater, provides habitat for numerous species, and is a potentially valuable raw material, while on the other hand it is an invasive species which expands aggressively, prevents fishing, blocks ditches and waterways, and builds monospecies stands. This paper uses the eutrophic reed-swamp of Wuliangsuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia, northern China, as a case to present the multiple benefits of regular reed cutting. The reed area and aboveground biomass production are calculated based on field data. Combined with data about water and reed nutrient content, the impact of reed cutting on the lake nutrient budget （N and P） is investigated. Currently, at this lake around 100,000 tons of reed are harvested in winter annually, removing 16% and 8% of the total nitrogen and phosphorus influx, respectively. Harvesting all available winter reed could increase the nutrient removal rates to 48% and 24%, respectively. We also consider the effects of summer harvesting, in which reed biomass removal could overcompensate for the nutrient influx but could potentially reduce reed regrowth.

Changes in Ecosystem Service of Soil Conservation Between 2000 and 2010 and Its Driving Factors in Southwestern China

Human activities significantly alter ecosystems and their services; however, quantifying the impact of human activities on ecosystems has been a great challenge in ecosystem management. We used the Universal Soil Loss Equation and county-level socioeconomic data to assess the changes in the ecosystem service of soil conservation between 2000 and 2010, and to analyze its spatial characteristics and driving factors in the southwestern China. The results showed that cropland in the southwestern China decreased by 3.74%, while urban land, forest, and grassland areas increased by 46.78%, 0.86%, and 1.12%, respectively. The soil conservation increased by 1.88 × 10^(11) kg, with deterioration only in some local areas. The improved and the degraded areas accounted for 6.41% and 2.44% of the total land area, respectively. Implementation of the Sloping Land Conversion Program and urbanization explained 57.80% and 23.90% of the variation in the soil conservation change, respectively, and were found to be the main factors enhancing soil conservation. The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake was one of the factors that led to the degradation of soil conservation. Furthermore, industrial adjustment, by increasing shares of Industry and Service and reducing those of Agriculture, has also promoted soil conservation. Our results quantitatively showed and emphasized the contributions to soil conservation improvement made by implementing ecological restoration programs and promoting urbanization. Consequently, these results provide basic information to improve our understanding of the effects of ecological restoration programs, and help guide future sustainable urban development and regional industrial restructuring.

Mycorrhizoremediation—an enhanced form of phytoremediation

Study of plant roots and the diversity of soil micro biota, such as bacteria, fungi and microfauna associated with them, is important for understanding the ecological complexities between diverse plants, microbes, soil and climates and their role in phytoremediation of contaminated soils. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are universal and ubiquitous rhizosphere mi-croflora forming symbiosis with plant roots and acting as biofertilizers, bioprotactants, and biodegraders. In addition to AMF, soils also contain various antagonistic and beneficial bacteria such as root pathogens, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria including free-living and symbiotic N-fixers, and mycorrhiza helping bacteria. Their potential role in phytoremediation of heavy metal (HM) contaminated soils and water is becoming evident although there is need to completely understand the ecological complexities of the plant-microbe-soil interactions and their better exploitation as consortia in remediation strategies employed for contaminated soils. These multitrophic root microbial associations deserve multi-disciplinary investigations using molecular, biochemical, and physiological techniques. Ecosystem restoration of heavy metal contaminated soils practices need to incorporate microbial bio-technology research and development. This review highlights the ecological complexity and diversity of plant-microbe-soil combinations, particularly AM and provides an overview on the recent developments in this area. It also discusses the role AMF play in phytorestoration of HM contaminated soils, i.e. mycorrhizoremediation.

Grazing and heat stress protection of native grass by a sand-fixing shrub in the arid lands of northern China

Shrub species are used in restoration projects on dryland for their facilitation effects,which include environmental improvements and protection from herbivore feeding.Facilitation effects on forage grasses are potentially important in improving grazing capacity on rangelands.However,the morphology-dependent performance of benefactor plants in facilitating forage species growth and supplementation under moderate grazing intensity remains unclear.Here,our main purpose was to measure facilitation performance in terms of the survival of a native forage grass,Agropyron cristatum(L.)Gaertn.(Gramineae).,in accordance with the growth conditions of a sand-fixing benefactor shrub,Caragana microphylla Lam.,in the Hulun Buir Grassland,northern China.Six study sites with patches of A.cristatum and C.microphylla were established at the foot of fixed sand dunes.At each site,five quadrats were set in places where C.microphylla coverage was 100%and A.cristatum grew among the shrubs(shrub quadrats),and another five were set where A.cristatum grew alone without C.microphylla(grass quadrats).We measured the morphological traits of C.microphylla and A.cristatum in all 60 quadrats,along with the soil water content and soil temperature.The data were compared between the shrub and grass quadrats by generalized linear mixed-effect models to assess the shrub's facilitation effects.We also used such models to elucidate the relationship between the average height of C.microphylla and the morphological traits of A.cristatum in the shrub quadrats.The maximum height,average grazed height,and the number of seed heads of A.cristatum were greater in the shrub quadrats than in the grass quadrats.The soil surface temperature was lower in the shrub quadrats.The maximum height and seed head number of A.cristatum were positively associated with the average height of C.microphylla.These results suggest that the grazing impact and heat stress were smaller in shrub quadrats than in grass quadrats,and that the degree of this protective effect depended on the shrub height.The shrub canopy seemed to reduce the increase in soil temperature and keep the grass vigorous.Livestock likely avoided grazing grasses in the C.microphylla patches because of the shrub's spiny leaves;only the upper parts of the grass stems(including the seed heads)protruding from the shrub canopy were grazed.The sand-fixing shrub thus moderates the grazing impact and soil temperature,and contributes to vegetation restoration and grazing system sustainability.

Spatio-temporal variability of small fishes related with environmental factors in a typical domestic tap water lake, Eastern China

The knowledge of prey small ?sh stock, distribution and abundance is necessary to guide stocking of piscivorous ?sh for the biomanipulation in domestic tap water lakes. This study describes the current status of small ?sh community in Kuilei Lake(China), and examines the spatial and seasonal variations of the community in relation to key environmental factors. Based on submerged macrophyte cover and water depth, the lake was divided into ?ve major habitats:(1) macrophyte covered shallow habitat of water depth< 2.00 m,(2) uncovered or less-covered shallow habitat(2.00 m–3.50 m),(3) uncovered medium shallow habitat(3.50 m–5.00 m),(4) uncovered medium deep habitat(5.00 m–6.50 m) and(5) uncovered deep habitat(6.50 m–8.50 m). The abundance and composition of small ?sh were monitored by benthic fykenet sampling from April 2013 to January 2014. A total of 2881 individuals belonging to 5 families and 21 species were collected. Based on their abundance(accounted for 88.96% of the total) and occurrence(more than 33.33%), Acheilognathus chankaensis, Acheilognathus macropterus, Microphysogobio microstomus,Pseudorasbora parva and Rhinogobius giurinus were recognized as dominant small ?sh species. The results of correlation analysis identi?ed that species richness( Sr), Shannon-Wiener diversity index( H′)and Margalef′s richness index( D) were signi?cantly negatively correlated with water depth, but positively correlated with biomass of submerged macrophytes.Redundancy analysis(RDA) revealed that the spatial distributions of most small ?shes were negatively associated with water depth. The details of these ?ndings are bene?cial to understanding the adaptation of the small ?shes in degraded environments, and to developing suitable biomanipulation strategies for the management of ?sh resources and water quality in the lakes along the lower reach of the Changjiang(Yangtze) River basin.

Response of revegetation to climate change with meso- and micro-scale remote sensing in an arid desert of China

The revegetation protection system(VPS)on the edge of the Tengger Desert can be referred to as a successful model of sand control technology in China and even the world,and there has been a substantial amount of research on revegetation stability.However,it is unclear how meso-and micro-scale revegetation activity has responded to climatic change over the past decades.To evaluate the relative influence of climatic variables on revegetation activities in a restored desert ecosystem,we analysed the trend of revegetation change from 2002 to 2015 using a satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)dataset.The time series of the NDVI data were decomposed into trend,seasonal,and random components using a segmented regression method.The results of the segmented regression model indicate a changing trend in the NDVI in the VPS,changing from a decrease(−7×10−3/month)before 2005 to an increase(0.3×10−3/month)after 2005.We found that precipitation was the most important climatic factor influencing the growing season NDVI(P<0.05),while vegetation growth sensitivity to water and heat varied significantly in different seasons.In the case of precipitation reduction and warming in the study area,the NDVI of the VPS could still maintain an overall slow upward trend(0.04×10−3/month),indicating that the ecosystem is sustainable.Our findings suggest that the VPS has been successful in maintaining stability and sustainability under current climate change conditions and that it is possible to introduce the VPS in similar areas as a template for resistance to sand and drought hazards.

Agroforestry Suggestions Based on Climatic Modeling

Indigenous agroforestry systems have been practiced for centuries in the Himalaya Mountains and adjoining regions.With the increase of climate change associated risks,enhanced understanding of the impact of climate change and related phenomena on the potential distribution of agroforestry is increasingly useful and necessary,for both maintaining and improving yield and ecosystem function.In particular,

Applied evolutionary biology could aid management of invaded ecosystems

Invasive plant species subvert essential ecosystem services through a reduction in the abundance and genetic diversity of native plant species.A major challenge now facing land managers and policy makers is how to ensure persistence of native plants while limiting harmful impacts of invasions.Results from recent empirical studies suggest that native plants may evolve adaptations to invasive plants and that adaptive evolution in invasive plants could lessen the negative impacts of invasions.Here,we suggest ways in which knowledge of adaptive evolution in invasive and native plants could be utilized to more effectively manage invaded ecosystems.

A CASE FOR ASSESSING ALLOCASUARINA AND CASUARINA SPP.FOR USE IN AGROECOSYSTEM IMPROVEMENT IN SEMI-ARID AREAS WITH A FOCUS ON CENTRAL ANATOLIA,TURKEY

Agroecosystems in water-limited contexts—Mediterranean,semi-arid and arid climatic zones—are too frequently degraded systems that will not provide the needed ecosystem services to ensure a future of sustainable agricultural production.The processes that have created this situation continue and are being accelerated by anthropogenic climate change.Increasing arboreal vegetation in these areas through agroforestry is an important strategy to conserve and improve their agroecosystems.Actinorhizal trees and shrubs in the Casuarinaceae have a unique set of adaptations for heat and water stress,and/or infertile to hostile soils.Central Anatolia,Turkey is particularly at risk of increasing aridity and further degradation.Therefore,species of Allocasuarina and Casuarina have been evaluated for their potential use in agroecosystem improvement in semi-arid areas with a focus on Central Anatolia.Based on a semiquantitative environmental tolerance index and reported plant stature,eight species were identified as being of high(A.verticillata and C.pauper)to moderate(A.acutivalvis,A.decaisneana,A.dielsiana,A.huegeliana,C.cristata and C.obesa)priority for assessment,with none of these species having been adequately evaluated for agroforestry deployment in semi-arid agroecosystems in any context.

The net ecosystem services value in China's Mainland

Protection of the ecological environment is an effective strategy for maintaining ecosystem health,improving provision of ecosystem services,and increasing human well-being.However,traditional calculations of the value of ecosystem services(VES)provide weak guidance because they ignore the costs of these services,leading to economically inefficient strategies.To understand the difference between VES and the net ecosystem services value(NES,after subtracting costs from VES)and to improve evaluations of ecosystem services,we estimated NES for China's Mainland(including farmland,grassland,forest,and wetland).NES totaled 10.0×10~3RMB ha^(-1)yr^(-1)in 2014,which is only 35.1%of the corresponding VES.Grassland NES was–0.7×10~3RMB ha^(-1)yr^(-1),in contrast with a positive grassland VES.NES of farmland,grassland,forest,and wetland in2014 totaled 7.2×10^(12)RMB,accounting for 27.0%of China’s GNP.Recent Chinese planning based on VES emphasizes forest conservation and ignores the conservation of other important ecosystems,such as grassland,leading to a continuing loss of China’s natural capital.Due to regional differences in economic conditions,resource endowments,and geographical characteristics,VES and NES differ among regions.To maximize the ecological benefits from conservation,it is necessary to account for these differences by comparing strategies based on NES,thereby choosing projects that maximize both economic and ecological benefits.To maintain the ecological balance,ecological restoration and socioeconomic activities should account for the costs of providing ecosystem services.This is essential to minimize the costs and maximize the benefits of projects.

Towards Regional Synergy: Reconciling Rangeland Ecological Functioning with Forage Production of Cultivated Pasture

Animal husbandry and crop farming are specialized for development in separate areas on the Tibetan Plateau. Such a pattern of isolation has led to current concerns of rangeland and farming system degradation due to intensive land use. The crop-livestock integration, however, has been proven to increase food and feed productivity thorough niche complementarity, and is thereby especially effective for promoting ecosystem resilience. Regional synergy has emerged as an integrated approach to reconcile rangeland livestock with forage crop production. It moves beyond the specialized sectors of animal husbandry and intensive agriculture to coordinate them through regional coupling. Therefore, crop-livestock integration(CLI) has been suggested as one of the effective solutions to forage deficit and livestock production in grazing systems. But it is imperative that CLI moves forward from the farm level to the regional scale, in order to secure regional synergism during agro-pastoral development. The national key R & D program, Technology and Demonstration of Recovery and Restoration of Degraded Alpine Ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau, aims to solve the problems of alpine grassland degradation by building up a grass-based animal husbandry technology system that includes synergizing forage production and ecological functioning, reconciling the relationship between ecology, forage production and animal husbandry, and achieving the win-win goals of curbing grassland degradation and changing the development mode of animal husbandry. It is imperative to call for regional synergy through integrating ecological functioning with ecosystem services, given the alarming threat of rangeland degradation on the Tibetan Plateau. The series of papers in this issue, together with those published previously, provide a collection of rangeland ecology and management studies in an effort to ensure the sustainable use and management of the alpine ecosystems.

Positive cascading effect of restoring forests

Recent assessment of global tree restoration potential reports that under current climate conditions there would be room for additional 0.9 billion hectares of woodlands and forests Bastin(2019).This could store 205 gigatonnes of carbon making forest restoration a viable strategy for climate change mitigation.Com-menting on Bastin(2019),Chazdon and Brancalion(2019)call for holistic approaches because forest restoration is a mechanism to achieve multiple goals that go beyond climate mitigation,also including biodiversity conservation,socioeconomic benefits,food security,and ecosystem services.A timely scientific debate consid-ering the recent decision of the UN Environment Assembly in Nai-robi,Kenya,to declare the coming decade 2021-2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration(Link 1).