A rejuvenated woodland may appear tall, vibrant, and verdant. Revived marshlands can hum with insects and flutter with birds. However, upon closer inspection, scientists are discovering that some of the tiniest inhabitants, such as certain mosses, lichens, algae, and fungi, are often still absent.
Rehabilitating ecosystems like forests and wetlands can help rescue dwindling species of animals and plants, aiding in their recovery. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that not all species return at the same pace. Some of the smallest, least conspicuous residents may remain scarce or missing for decades, potentially impacting other species.
Ellen Macdonald, a botanist from the University of Alberta, has dedicated her career to studying forests, particularly the minute flowers, mosses, liverworts, and lichens that thrive in their shadow, among their roots, or on their textured bark.
According to Macdonald, the number of species in these areas surpasses that of tree species by far. While to the average person, a regenerated forest decades after logging may bear a resemblance to an untouched one, Macdonald has sensed an imperfection when walking through regrown coniferous boreal forests.
Her observations led her to combine her research with global data to investigate the recovery timeline of plants and animals as boreal forests regenerate after clear-cutting.
The research, recently published in the journal Nature Sustainability, revealed that birch and aspen forests and their inhabitants seemed to recover within 25 years, whereas conifer forests took significantly longer. In conifer forests, understory plants, particularly lichens, mosses, and liverworts, required 85 years or more to reestablish, with some species still absent after a century.
The phenomenon is not exclusive to boreal forests. Scientists studying wetlands and other restored habitats have also noted that while these areas may appear healthy, some less visible species are still missing.
Viktoria Wagner, an associate professor at the University of Alberta, describes this decline as a “silent form of loss.” The reduction in species diversity can have adverse effects on ecosystems, impacting the interconnected web of species.
While the recovery of landscapes is feasible, Wagner emphasizes that it is a challenging and uncertain process. Recognizing these patterns can guide landscape managers in preserving more species, suggesting more selective or partial harvesting approaches for conifer forests.
Algae habitats are also under threat globally, along with the species they support. Michael Melkonian meticulously collects algae specimens from various habitats as part of efforts to conserve them, amassing over 5,000 strains to create an “algal zoo” for species preservation.
The widespread loss of species underscores the need for active intervention in preserving biodiversity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and restoring adequate habitat for species to thrive across landscapes.
This series of articles showcases the work of scientists studying disappearing species groups, shedding light on their significance and impact on our environment, while exploring measures to safeguard their existence.