Ecological Restoration: What is, types and examples

According to the Ecological Restoration Society (SER)ecological restoration consists in the application of processes that allow recover those ecosystems that have been degradeddamaged and/or destroyed. It is a practical approach that includes a wide variety of techniques and methodologies that allow the analysis and improvement of such ecosystems. In this way, we can affirm that within its main goals, the Ecological Restoration It is used to:

• Maintain the proper functioning of ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and their sustainable management.
• Improve physical, socio-economic and cultural aspects related to the protection of ecosystems.
• Promote positive and evolutionary relationships between humans and landscapes that it lives.
• Prevent the effects of adverse climatic factors such as erosion and floods, as well as guaranteeing the stability of soils such as substrates and the maintenance of hydrological systems.

Next we will see, step by step, what are the main phases that are carried out in everything Ecological Restoration Process:

1. Preliminary studies of the environmentwhere all the information related to the territorial framing of the area to be restored, the communication routes, the use and use of the soil, the socioeconomic environment, the climate and the biodiversity, as well as of the heritage elements (possible archaeological sites) and an exhaustive analysis of the landscape, in which the different landscape units that integrate it are included. All this would be collected in the commonly known as environmental inventory.
2. Object development (General) and of The objectives (specific) of the restoration project.
3. Analysis of current legal and regulatory framework Applicable to the development of restoration activities in the area to be restored.
4. Consideration of the background, essential and conditioning that limit the possible actions included in the restoration project. The existence of possible areas of special bird protection (Zepas) should be considered, as well as the presence of endangered species, invasive species, natural parks and areas of special interest and conservation.
5. The Alternative more appropriate to the restoration projecthaving analyzed other possible alternatives and their weaknesses, threats, strengths and opportunities (DAFO analysis matrix).
6. Preparation of the Map of Actions in which each of the steps that will be followed during the restoration of the different parts included within the area of ​​action is explained in detail. Likewise, the type of management, reconditioning, dismantling of the land and other possible activities are detailed.
7. Design of planting frames and selection of plant species concrete to reforest the restoration area. There is a wide variety of methodologies for planting and the application of natural and artificial vegetable coverage, as well as the possibility of opting for plant succession and adaptive management that allows the natural development of native species without the intervention of human beings.
8. Finally, a Environmental Surveillance Plan for the monitoring of the activities carried out and the monitoring of them in the long term.

In this last section we will define the different types of ecological restoration that exist according to its purpose, as well as some examples of the most surprising restoration projects that have been carried out in different countries:

Types of ecological restoration

• Remediation: It allows the cleaning of ecosystems that have suffered the discharge of polluting substances. For example, it is done through phytoremediation, but also with other techniques.
• Claim: New use is given to the ecosystem for a specific, social and environmentally acceptable activity.
• Reforestation: forests or other vegetation are restored after having been eliminated. Know more about what reforestation is and its importance here.
• Facilitation: The development of other species is promoted.

Examples of ecological restoration projects

• Restoration of mining complexes for environmental and scientific dissemination purposes: Eden Project (England), as well as the creation of an amusement park in the Turda Saline (Romania).
• Restoration of ecosystems damaged by the discharge of toxic products of industrial origin: Green corridor of the Guadiamar (Andalusia, Spain).
• Restoration of bridges, roads and other roads: Tunnel of hanging flowers in Japan.
• Restoration of wetlands and jungles to favor tropical agriculture: Lacanhá Chansayab, Chiapas (Mexico).

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