Multi Species Reintroduction Programs Assessing Impacts on Ecosystem Function Biodiversity Recovery and Trophic Interactions in Degraded Landscapes

Abstract

The disturbance of ecological processes and trophic relationships due to habitat fragmentation, biodiversity losses, invasive species, and other human-induced disturbances has been noted worldwide. This study sought to assess the efficiency of multi-species restoration programs for ecosystem function recovery, biodiversity enhancement, and trophic reassembly. The study examined the effect of simultaneous introduction of multiple species from different functional groups on ecological resilience and stability of restored and reference ecosystems. A long-term ecological monitoring program was used, and degraded restoration sites as well as reference ecosystems were included into consideration. Native species acting as herbivores, predators, pollinators, seed dispersers, and ecosystem engineers were introduced into studied sites depending on their ecological preferences and the need for conservation. Biodiversity evaluation was carried out through biodiversity surveys, camera trapping, and plant community analysis. Ecosystem functioning was assessed according to nutrient cycles, pollination, seed dispersal, and soil organic carbon. Trophic interactions were evaluated according to predator-prey dynamics, isotopic composition, and ecological network analysis. Significant ecological benefits were noted after five years of the reintroduction process. The richness of species increased from 48 to 91 (89.6%) and the number of native mammals increased by 123.7%. The diversity of pollinators became better by 105.6% and vegetation coverage increased from 41.5% to 71.8%. Nutrient recycling improved by 95.6%, seed dispersal events by 135.7% and pollination by 150.3%. Ecological connectivity increased from 0.31 to 0.71 (129.0%) while ecosystem resilience improved from 42.6 to 81.5 (91.3%). These results show that ecosystem restoration through multiple-species reintroduction was successful because trophic complexity was restored in the ecosystem. It is clear that ecosystem restoration is feasible using a restoration strategy that is based on a community approach to the restoration.