Taasturve

Taasturve is a term used in environmental restoration and regional planning to describe integrated approaches that aim to recover degraded ecosystems while strengthening the social and economic well-being of nearby communities. The concept emphasizes both ecological restoration and human resilience, seeking to restore ecosystem functions such as biodiversity, water regulation, soil health, and climate adaptation alongside improved local livelihoods and governance.

In practice, taasturve spans land, water, and urban environments. It is applied by a range of actors, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and community groups. Projects typically combine ecological interventions—such as native-species reintroductions, wetland rehabilitation, soil remediation, and invasive species control—with social measures like participatory planning, skills development, and inclusive decision-making. Monitoring uses ecological indicators (species richness, habitat connectivity, carbon sequestration) together with social indicators (income stability, health, access to green space) to assess progress over time.

Common principles include adaptive management, clear baselines and target states, long-term commitment, and transparent stakeholder involvement. Proponents argue that taasturve can enhance biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, climate regulation, and cultural and recreational values, while supporting local economies. Critics caution that defining appropriate baselines and targets can be contentious, and that long time horizons and funding uncertainties may hinder implementation.

Taasturve remains a plural and regionally varying concept, without a single universal framework. It is often discussed in relation to ecological restoration, ecosystem services, and community-led sustainability initiatives, highlighting the interconnectedness of ecological recovery and human well-being.