Ecological restoration is the process of renewing destroyed or damaged ecosystems through human intervention and action. It is used for land degradation, which is spreading a lot faster than expected. With rising population, urban development, and even the inherent effects of climate change, landowners must use ecological restoration to counteract the effects.
Ecological restoration involves planting activities that initiate or speed up ecosystem recovery. But it’s not just the re-planting of native plant species, it is also about conducting land development schemes to find other ways to restore the natural ecosystem of the land.
It mitigates the effects of environmental degradation is so many ways. Ecological restoration lessens the impact of degradation through:
● reforestation
● revegetation of damaged areas
● erosion control
● removal of non-native elements such as weeds
● habitat and range improvement of specific species
Landowners worldwide presently recognize the need of ecological restoration on their property. In fact, on June 2015 at Montpellier, France, the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, through a statement from its Executive Secretary, Braulio Ferreira De Souza Dias, has acknowledged that at least two third of the planet is considered degraded. De Souza cited that at least 10 billion trees are cut down more than they are planted, pushing the convention to set its sights on restoring at least 15 percent of these degraded lands across the globe.
Recent restorations, however, are far from being compatible with natural ecosystems. There have been debates about the concept of “novel ecosystems”, ecosystems that are human-built or engineered niches of the Anthopocene, which exist only in places that have been altered in structure and function through human means. Novel ecosystems are usually influenced by humans but is not necessarily under human management. Suffice it to say, we are not doing ecological restoration correctly.
Ecological Restoration Done Right
Imminent British ecologist John Rodwell offered a more pragmatic way of doing ecological restoration, by getting back to basics. He said that most landscaping done which are desirably natural have “(agri)cultural origins”. He recommended further that we take a cue from farmers who use traditional methods when planning for an ecological restoration on your property.
“Restoration is not about putting the clock back. It’s about starting the clock ticking again,” so say Alan Watson in that same UN conference. Just some of the methods currently used being employed by New Zealand Islands to bring a piece of property closer to its agricultural origins include the use native plants, adopting revegetation services and enhancement planting.
Although ecological restoration takes its cue from farmers and landowners, professional help is still needed when it comes to proper ecological restoration. Your restoration expert will help you in:
● mitigating changes in property temperature and climate
● restoring the “natural capital” of your land such as drinkable water
● preserving endangered species
● improving the look of your property
At Rural Design, not only can we help you with the planning and management of your ecological restoration. We can also provide assessment and aid in the monitoring and development of your restoration.
Our relationship with local and regional units will help guide you in dealing with environmental legislations that influence the planning and development of your restoration.
Ecological restoration works only when done properly. We can help you do it right with our wide array of service and through our ecological consultants. When the planet is at stake, you have to invest in professional services to make sure that ecological restoration is done right.