Summary
Active repair of damaged ecosystems, from replanting wetlands to reseeding reefs.
In depth
Methods: replanting, removing invasive species, restoring hydrology and reintroducing species. Success measured against reference ecosystems. UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021 to 2030).
Restoration targets function as well as species. Monitoring and adaptive management are crucial. Costs and success rates vary.
Example: reintroducing native grasses restores prairie soils.
Ecological restoration assists the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed. Techniques include replanting native vegetation, removing invasive species, restoring hydrology (re-wetting peatlands, removing dams), reintroducing species, coral gardening, oyster reef building and soil remediation.
Goals can be to return to a reference state, to rebuild function, or to create novel but resilient systems. Success needs addressing the cause of damage, local participation and long-term monitoring. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021 to 2030) aims to scale it up.
Example: reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone changed elk behaviour and altered vegetation and rivers.
Remember: restoration is cheaper and more effective when combined with protection of intact areas.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ecological Restoration?
Active repair of damaged ecosystems, from replanting wetlands to reseeding reefs.
Which area of biology covers Ecological Restoration, and how advanced is it?
Ecological Restoration is one of the 54 topics in Marine & Environmental Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Ecosystem Tipping Points, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Agriculture.
Can you give an example of Ecological Restoration?
Restoring oyster reefs and saltmarshes in estuaries.
What should I learn before Ecological Restoration?
Work through the Beginner topics in Marine & Environmental Biology first, such as Oceans, Ocean Zones, Plankton, then return to Ecological Restoration. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Ecological Restoration?
The closest topics to Ecological Restoration are Ecosystem Tipping Points, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Agriculture, Estuaries. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Ecological Restoration?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Ecological Restoration. To practise the whole of Marine & Environmental Biology, use the Marine & Environmental Biology quiz.
How is Ecological Restoration different from Ecosystem Tipping Points?
Ecological Restoration: Active repair of damaged ecosystems, from replanting wetlands to reseeding reefs. Ecosystem Tipping Points: Thresholds beyond which systems like the Amazon or coral reefs shift abruptly to a different state. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Ecological Restoration step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Ecosystem Tipping Points and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Marine & Environmental Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.