ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION AND REHABILITATION – LESSONS LEARNT
There are several pitfalls that should be given carefull attention when attempting to re- store ecosystems. These pitfalls include among other 1) Unrealistic goals or changes in restoration targets in the process; 2) Improper and partial restoration creating monocul- tures with little ecosystem service capacity compared to reference sites; 3) Unintended transplant of non-native invasive pests or species; 4) Lack of monitoring to ensure that restoration does result in rising biodiversity and services in restored ecosystems; 5) Lack of reduction in initial pressures leading to the loss of the ecosystems in the first place; 5) Lack of adequate integration of stakeholders and socio-economic aspects.
There are numerous examples that non-native species becomes invasive pests. Restoration should therefore always carefully address and re-establish the endemic or natural species with particular attention also to potential contamination of speci- men with unwanted diseases.
The goal of restoration is to set in motion process-based eco- system recovery that leads to a regeneration and maintenance of resilient natural ecosystem processes. In turn, these pro- cesses generate desirable ecosystem structures (e.g. habitats) and linkages (flows and connectivity of sediment, water, nu- trients and biota) and restore ecosystem functions (e.g. flood attenuation, shorebird habitat, fisheries, recreation, clean water maintenance and carbon sequestration). Because ecosystem restoration processes cover land, water, air interfaces and wet- lands connect terrestrial, tidal and marine ecosystems, a major theme of any recovery plan is consideration of site-specific de- sign and planning within the wider landscape context, includ- ing socio-economic aspects, a broad stakeholder community,
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adressing the initial pressures and not the least avoid new risks associated with unintended transplants of new species or pests.
Sometimes restoration is easy, the site has not been too heav- ily disturbed and a functional habitat rapidly returns. Howev- er, typically, substantial level of planning and design is often required to provide for cost-efficient and effective ecosystem rehabilitation, particularly in urbanized or fragmented land- scapes.
Planning complexity can be increased when restoring large areas, though very attractive beneficial ecological and socio- economic economies of scale result. Some simple lessons for ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation include (e.g. Simen- stad and others, 2006; Crooks and Sharpe, 2007):
1) Develop a learning curve. Restoration should be based
upon a clear understanding linking restoration actions, through physical processes to desired ecological outcome.
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