GLMM BACI environmental impact analysis shows coastal dune restoration reduces seed predation on an endangered plant

Invasive plants create refuge habitat for predators that results in increased levels of seed predation on native plants. We test the effects of a large-scale removal of the invasive plant Ammophila arenaria on the predispersal seed predation rate experienced by an endangered plant in a coastal dune ecosystem. Restoration resulted in a large and lasting reduction in seed predation in this system, and reducing predation could be an explicit goal in future restoration projects. The generalized linear mixed statistical model with a BACI (before-after-control-impact) design used here is a useful, flexible model that can be applied to analyze other large-scale restoration activities.