Jenny Vivian1, Anastasija Zaiko2,3, Michelle Scriver2,4, Alexandra Catling1, Robin Chazdon1, Alison Shapcott1, David Lee1
1University Of The Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia, 2Sequench Ltd, Nelson, New Zealand, 3Biosecurity Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand, 4Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Biography:
Jenny Vivian is a PhD candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia), working on tropical forest restoration and biodiversity conservation. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences (University of Ca’ Foscari, Italy), and a Master’s degree in Ecology and Ethology for Nature conservation (University of Parma, Italy), to build her knowledge and passion for natural ecosystem conservation and dynamics. She combined these studies by attending summer schools in Poland, and Spain, workshops, and conferences, sharing her research outcomes while engaging in networking. Experiencing different cultures, she integrated her academic knowledge with social and management skills.
Abstract:
Acacia mangium is commonly used in reforestation and rehabilitation in tropical regions, yet its effectiveness in restoring native forest ecosystem characteristics under minimal management remains underexplored. To address this gap, we adopted a space-for-time approach, utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding targeting 16S and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) regions to study soil bacteria and fungi communities across restoration sites. This approach allowed us to assess fungi and bacteria taxonomic and functional group diversity, and relative abundances of microbial communities and their association with recovery response variables (i.e. soil organic carbon, soil nutrients, tree species richness, and above-ground biomass of living trees). Soil samples were collected across replicated sites in the Philippines, encompassing A. mangium plantations of varying ages, Imperata cylindrica grasslands, and nearby remnant forests. The study’s objectives were to compare soil microbial community characteristics within and among sites of the same land-cover type and across sites of different land-cover; assess the relationships between microbial community characteristics and recovery response variables; and investigate the restoration potential of minimally managed A. mangium plantations. Preliminary results indicate that studying soil microbial communities and their relationships with recovery response variables using eDNA, provides valuable insights into the ecological recovery of A. mangium plantations. Understanding microbial communities’ taxonomic and functional group composition can offer informative indicators of restoration progress. This integrated evaluation of A. mangium plantations contributes essential knowledge for effectively managing reforestation projects aimed at biodiversity conservation and enhancing ecosystem services in the Philippines and globally.