Ecology Theory and Defining Restoration

The role of ecological theory within restoration science is increasingly necessitated. Extraction, transport and transformation of resources driven by societal and economic pressures alter landscape processes. Current and/or historical land management failures lower its value, both in terms of ecological and socio-economic productivity. These processes influence biodiversity, redefine the ecological state of ecosystems and impact both on society and the economy.

The processes involved in Restoration
Source Hobbs, 1999



Restoration ecology is a young field of study still in experimental stages for tests in ecological theory. Within the discipline are evolving models of succession, assembly and state-transition and recent research on seed and recruitment limitation, soil processes, and diversity-function relationships are also strongly linked. Further opportunities lie ahead in the ecology of plant ontogeny, and on the effects of contingency, such as year effects and priority effects.

Over the past decade, restoration science has gained a scientific foothold in fostering sustainable recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. The definition includes discrete sites where holistic restoration can reasonably be achieved, and larger-scale restoration of the entire landscape which requires a staged, strategic approach of restoration. The aim of restoration is to return an ecosystem trajectory towards a reference state and recover its former biotic components to the extent that site conditions allow (SER 2004). Also critical in SER guidelines, ecological restoration needs to address four elements for successful ecosystem management; improve biodiversity conservation, improve human livelihoods, empower local people and improve ecosystem productivity.

Subsequently, the intricate process of restoration involves a number of interconnected activities (see figure). As a result, the challenge is undertaking restoration across large areas comprising various land-uses and how to equitably balance the trade-offs between improving biodiversity conservation and human well-being (SER 2004). For this reason; though ecology may inform current restoration practice, there is considerable room for greater integration between academic scientists and restoration practitioners.

References

1.Hobbs, R. (1999). Restoration of disturbed ecosystems. Pages 691-705 in L. Walker, editor. Ecosystems of the World 16: Ecosystems of Disturbed Ground. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

2.SER (Society for Ecological Restoration, Science and Policy Working Group). (2004). The SER International primer on ecological restoration. http://www.ser.org/resources/resources-detail-view/ser-international-primer-on-ecological-restoration#3