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A vegetation restoration procedure was developed for open sandy habitats in the Ottawa Valley of Ontario. It was designed to restore a pre-determined plant association and consisted of six steps: (1) determine the restoration objective and role of vegetation; (2) determine the potential natural vegetation of the restoration site based on survey of regional remnants resulting in a list of native species with an indication of their regional status and coefficients of conservatism; (3) determine what vegetation is present on the restoration site resulting in another list of native species with an indication of their regional status and coefficients of conservatism; (4) calculate a floristic quality index (FQI) for the restoration site; (5) based on the soil moisture at the site and the regional survey, develop a potential list, following introduction, of native species, rare native species, and a FQI for the potentially restored site; (6) complete restoration and monitor effectiveness using the target species richness, rare species richness and FQI. Details of these steps are outlined and an example of the process is provided.

AbstractAnalysis of declining bird populations indicates that invasive aliens are a major problem. However, in most cases the problem is visualized in terms of invasive animals and introduced diseases. The role of invasive alien plants in declining bird populations is less well known. By changing the structure and composition of vegetation and by reducing or eliminating vegetative biodiversity, alien plants can reduce food, cover and optimal nesting sites for birds. Invasive alien plants may also increase mortality and change behavior in subtle ways. The problem of invasive alien plants is sometimes not obvious and is frequently complex with regard to management. It is also widespread throughout much of North America and in many cases it threatens major native plant communities upon which native birds depend. The problem is especially evident in protected areas that are essential to bird populations and often represent the last opportunity to avoid extinction. Many biologists agree that much more research on all aspects of alien invasive plants is required and it is vital to address the problem immediately. Policy makers may be able to take advantage of the enormous popularity and economic importance of birds to deal with the invasive plant issue which affects all of biodiversity.

ABSTRACTMany extinct species have had profound effects on other species through their interactions. In themselves, these interactions or functions are an integral part of biodiversity. The influence of species upon others operates in a variety of ways, independently or synchronously, and includes dispersal, habitat creation and maintenance, provision of nutrients or food resources, and reduction in competition from other species. In particular, large and/or abundant vertebrates that are now extinct or threatened have contributed to extensive environmental heterogeneity. This heterogeneity, or diversity, found in the form of spatial and temporal patches, has generally increased biodiversity. Loss of these vertebrates has major impacts on the species left behind. These impacts range from extinction to various levels of decline.The extinct and extirpated species discussed include the Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius), Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis caroliniensis), Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), American Bison (Bison bison), bears (Ursusspp.), Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), gophers (Thomomysspp.), Elephants (Loxodonta africana), White Rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) and the Pleistocene megafauna including mammoths (Mammuthusspp.), horses (Equusspp.), camels (Camelopsspp.), and Ground Sloths (Nothrotheriops shastense).