Multi-Species Reintroduction Programs and Their Impacts on Ecosystem Functioning, Species Interactions, and Biodiversity Recovery

Abstract

The multi-species reintroduction is among the most essential ecosystem-restoration techniques that involve the reintroduction of various species into ecosystems where they have been locally extinct or whose populations have drastically reduced. Unlike the single species reintroductions, this form of ecosystem-restoration involves multiple species with synergistic ecological roles, including keystone herbivores, predator, and ecosystem engineers. In this essay, findings obtained from studies on the restorations of wetlands and grasslands will be analyzed and discussed to determine their effects on ecosystems. It is established that multi-species reintroductions restore the predator-prey relationships, competition, symbiotic relationships, and facilitative interaction, thereby making the food web stable and preventing trophic cascades. The quantitative evaluation reveals that reintroductions lead to increased biodiversity in terms of species richness and population size; soil organic matter content and water retention capability; and network connectivity by up to 50% to 87% within 24 months. In addition, the analysis conducted on the ecosystem network shows the role of keystone species in ensuring the stability and energy transfer within the ecosystem network. Based on these findings, it is evident that ecosystem restoration can only be achieved through an integrated approach.