Environmental restoration, 2004-2017
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Environmental restoration (also known as ecological restoration) is the process of recovering an impaired, damaged, and/or destroyed ecosystem. Ecosystems that experience impairment or damage include oceans, lakes, streams, fields, forests, wetlands, soils, fisheries, and coastlines. Damage to ecosystems can include fires, prolonged flooding or drought, increased salinity (salt) in bodies of water, invasive (non-native) plants or wildlife, soil erosion, improper discharge of pollutants from human activity, and more. Environmental restoration projects focus on recovering an ecosystem to the point where it contains sufficient biological and physical resources needed to maintain its condition and deal with regular environmental stress (such as heavy rainfall or storms) without further human assistance.[1][2][3]
Background
According to the Society for Ecological Restoration, the goals of environmental restoration projects for damaged or destroyed ecosystems include the following:[4][5][6]
- Contains a collection of the ecosystem's indigenous species inhabitants to the most practical extent
- Contains all animal and/or plant groups necessary for the ecosystem's ongoing stability or development
- Capable of sustaining reproducing populations of animals and plants
- Has no signs of potential dysfunction to the ecosystem's stability or development
- Capable of interacting and integrating with the biological and chemical features of nearby ecosystems or landscapes
- Has reduced or no nearby threats to the ecosystem's health or integrity
- Capable of enduring regular environmental pressures, such as rainfall, storms, or heavy wind
Restoration projects can include large-scale efforts, such as the response to the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill or Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and smaller, more locally based projects, such as dam restoration or the removal of invasive species from streams.[6][7][8]
Projects
Actions taken during restoration projects depend on the ecosystem and the types of damage to it. If an ecosystem is missing groups of species necessary to the area's development, individuals can sow native seeds or transplant specific plants to increase biodiversity (the variability among living organisms). In addition, if an ecosystem is lacking in animal species, these animals, such as bison in the midwestern United States, are reintroduced into the area.[6]
Some ecosystems are affected by human activity, such as logging and mining. Environmental restoration projects in affected areas can include the replanting of forests after logging and the reclamation of mining sites. After an area is mined for natural resources, such as petroleum or natural gas, restoration projects focus on removing hazardous substances, rebuilding topsoil, and planting native trees or grasses.[9]
If an ecosystem is damaged by pollutants from human activity, such as industrial activities, environmental restoration projects focus primarily on removing the pollution. Two types of pollution reduction include water and soil remediation. Water remediation involves removing pollutants from lakes, rivers, streams, or groundwater. Pollutants that contaminate ecosystems are generally stored or disposed of incorrectly by industrial operators, which are regulated under federal and state laws for environmental protection and safety. Contaminants can sometimes seep through soil and sediment, damaging ecosystems. Soil remediation involves removing pollutants from dirt, rocks, or minerals. These contaminants can result from the use of certain pesticides or fertilizers, chemical spills, or industrial activities.[10]
Environmental restoration projects involve different kinds of workers at various stages. These workers include project managers who oversee and organize recovery projects, construction managers who direct workers operating any equipment, cost estimators who determine the costs of equipment and labor, compliance officers who ensure projects follow federal, state, and local environmental regulations, and environmental engineers and scientists who test and use cleanup methods and monitor progress at restoration sites.[10][11]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Congressional Research Service, "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act: A Summary of Superfund Cleanup Authorities and Related Provisions of the Act," June 14, 2012
- ↑ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Environmental Restoration," accessed February 24, 2015
- ↑ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Remediation Technologies," accessed February 23, 2015
- ↑ U.S. National Park Service, "Ecosystem Restoration & Management," accessed June 1, 2017
- ↑ Seattle PI, "Can people restore damaged ecosystems?" accessed June 1, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Society for Ecological Restoration, "SER International Primer on Ecological Restoration," October 2004
- ↑ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)," accessed February 17, 2015
- ↑ Encyclopedia.com, "Restoration Ecology," accessed June 1, 2017
- ↑ Green City Blue Lake, "Back to nature: 10 best examples of ecological restoration in NEO," August 29, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Environmental Remediation," accessed February 23, 2015
- ↑ Society for Ecological Restoration, "About SER," accessed February 23, 2015
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