Using Plant Functional Traits to Design and Restore Resilient Landscapes in Guam
Active
By Climate Adaptation Science Centers
December 31, 2023
Project Overview
Guam’s forests are vital to the ecosystem and local communities, but they face threats from wildfires, water quality, and invasive species, among others. To restore these ecosystems, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will research the roles of native plants by identifying their “functional traits,” and using that knowledge to select species for restoration that can help reduce fire risk and soil erosion. Researchers will collaborate with local experts, conservationists, and the community to share tools and data, and ensuring that the project meet the unique needs of Guam.
Project Summary
The forests of Guam are a key part of the ridge-to reef linkage and indigenous cultural heritage, yet they face multiple threats, including wildfires, soil erosion issues, and invasive species. These threats not only impact local ecosystems and native plants, but also harm the human communities that rely on the natural resources. To rebuild resilient ecosystems in Guam, research is needed to understand the different roles that plants serve in their community (identified by their "plant functional traits").
This project aims to restore the native plant community in Guam, a task that is both timely and essential for the ecosystem. Researchers will first explore how different species contribute to the ecosystem by surveying existing acacia plantations and collecting data on the functional traits of native tree species. The trait data will then be used to select a diverse array of species for planting, chosen to create an environment more suitable to help protect against wildfire and erosion. A field demonstration at restoration sites will then test the effectiveness of these efforts in reducing fire risk and fuel loads. Collaboration is key to the project's success; the team will engage local experts, conservationists, and the community to ensure that the research findings and strategies meet Guam's unique needs.
This project will add valuable new data into the Restoring Ecosystem Services Tool (REST) software to help users select suitable species for restoration. Other project outcomes will include scientific papers, forums, webinars, and fact sheets that share knowledge with those involved in forest restoration in Guam and US Affiliated Pacific Islands. This project addresses wider social and ecological issues by fostering healthy, sustainable, and resilient environments, and the approach could serve as a model for other island regions facing similar environmental restoration and climate adaptation challenges.
Guam’s forests are vital to the ecosystem and local communities, but they face threats from wildfires, water quality, and invasive species, among others. To restore these ecosystems, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will research the roles of native plants by identifying their “functional traits,” and using that knowledge to select species for restoration that can help reduce fire risk and soil erosion. Researchers will collaborate with local experts, conservationists, and the community to share tools and data, and ensuring that the project meet the unique needs of Guam.
Project Summary
The forests of Guam are a key part of the ridge-to reef linkage and indigenous cultural heritage, yet they face multiple threats, including wildfires, soil erosion issues, and invasive species. These threats not only impact local ecosystems and native plants, but also harm the human communities that rely on the natural resources. To rebuild resilient ecosystems in Guam, research is needed to understand the different roles that plants serve in their community (identified by their "plant functional traits").
This project aims to restore the native plant community in Guam, a task that is both timely and essential for the ecosystem. Researchers will first explore how different species contribute to the ecosystem by surveying existing acacia plantations and collecting data on the functional traits of native tree species. The trait data will then be used to select a diverse array of species for planting, chosen to create an environment more suitable to help protect against wildfire and erosion. A field demonstration at restoration sites will then test the effectiveness of these efforts in reducing fire risk and fuel loads. Collaboration is key to the project's success; the team will engage local experts, conservationists, and the community to ensure that the research findings and strategies meet Guam's unique needs.
This project will add valuable new data into the Restoring Ecosystem Services Tool (REST) software to help users select suitable species for restoration. Other project outcomes will include scientific papers, forums, webinars, and fact sheets that share knowledge with those involved in forest restoration in Guam and US Affiliated Pacific Islands. This project addresses wider social and ecological issues by fostering healthy, sustainable, and resilient environments, and the approach could serve as a model for other island regions facing similar environmental restoration and climate adaptation challenges.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 667c63d9d34e828a20a69882)
Project Overview
Guam’s forests are vital to the ecosystem and local communities, but they face threats from wildfires, water quality, and invasive species, among others. To restore these ecosystems, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will research the roles of native plants by identifying their “functional traits,” and using that knowledge to select species for restoration that can help reduce fire risk and soil erosion. Researchers will collaborate with local experts, conservationists, and the community to share tools and data, and ensuring that the project meet the unique needs of Guam.
Project Summary
The forests of Guam are a key part of the ridge-to reef linkage and indigenous cultural heritage, yet they face multiple threats, including wildfires, soil erosion issues, and invasive species. These threats not only impact local ecosystems and native plants, but also harm the human communities that rely on the natural resources. To rebuild resilient ecosystems in Guam, research is needed to understand the different roles that plants serve in their community (identified by their "plant functional traits").
This project aims to restore the native plant community in Guam, a task that is both timely and essential for the ecosystem. Researchers will first explore how different species contribute to the ecosystem by surveying existing acacia plantations and collecting data on the functional traits of native tree species. The trait data will then be used to select a diverse array of species for planting, chosen to create an environment more suitable to help protect against wildfire and erosion. A field demonstration at restoration sites will then test the effectiveness of these efforts in reducing fire risk and fuel loads. Collaboration is key to the project's success; the team will engage local experts, conservationists, and the community to ensure that the research findings and strategies meet Guam's unique needs.
This project will add valuable new data into the Restoring Ecosystem Services Tool (REST) software to help users select suitable species for restoration. Other project outcomes will include scientific papers, forums, webinars, and fact sheets that share knowledge with those involved in forest restoration in Guam and US Affiliated Pacific Islands. This project addresses wider social and ecological issues by fostering healthy, sustainable, and resilient environments, and the approach could serve as a model for other island regions facing similar environmental restoration and climate adaptation challenges.
Guam’s forests are vital to the ecosystem and local communities, but they face threats from wildfires, water quality, and invasive species, among others. To restore these ecosystems, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will research the roles of native plants by identifying their “functional traits,” and using that knowledge to select species for restoration that can help reduce fire risk and soil erosion. Researchers will collaborate with local experts, conservationists, and the community to share tools and data, and ensuring that the project meet the unique needs of Guam.
Project Summary
The forests of Guam are a key part of the ridge-to reef linkage and indigenous cultural heritage, yet they face multiple threats, including wildfires, soil erosion issues, and invasive species. These threats not only impact local ecosystems and native plants, but also harm the human communities that rely on the natural resources. To rebuild resilient ecosystems in Guam, research is needed to understand the different roles that plants serve in their community (identified by their "plant functional traits").
This project aims to restore the native plant community in Guam, a task that is both timely and essential for the ecosystem. Researchers will first explore how different species contribute to the ecosystem by surveying existing acacia plantations and collecting data on the functional traits of native tree species. The trait data will then be used to select a diverse array of species for planting, chosen to create an environment more suitable to help protect against wildfire and erosion. A field demonstration at restoration sites will then test the effectiveness of these efforts in reducing fire risk and fuel loads. Collaboration is key to the project's success; the team will engage local experts, conservationists, and the community to ensure that the research findings and strategies meet Guam's unique needs.
This project will add valuable new data into the Restoring Ecosystem Services Tool (REST) software to help users select suitable species for restoration. Other project outcomes will include scientific papers, forums, webinars, and fact sheets that share knowledge with those involved in forest restoration in Guam and US Affiliated Pacific Islands. This project addresses wider social and ecological issues by fostering healthy, sustainable, and resilient environments, and the approach could serve as a model for other island regions facing similar environmental restoration and climate adaptation challenges.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 667c63d9d34e828a20a69882)