restaurationsekologi

Restaurationsekologi (restoration ecology) is the scientific field devoted to understanding and guiding the recovery of damaged ecosystems. Its aim is to return ecosystems toward a reference state in terms of structure, function, and biodiversity, and to restore ecosystem services such as water purification, carbon storage, pollination, and hazard mitigation.

Approach and methods: Restoration ecology combines ecology, hydrology, soil science, and social considerations. Practitioners define a reference condition, assess degradation, and design interventions that may be passive (allowing natural recovery) or active (reforestation, invasive species removal, soil amendments, rewetting, or species reintroductions). Management is often adaptive, with monitoring and iterative adjustments based on observed outcomes. Restoration occurs at various scales, from microhabitats to landscapes and river basins. Evaluation relies on biodiversity, structure, function, and service metrics.

History and applications: The field gained prominence in the late 20th century and is applied worldwide to wetlands, rivers, forests, grasslands, and coastal systems, including mangroves and coral reefs. Projects may aim to improve habitat quality, restore hydrological regimes, or reverse soil and nutrient imbalances.

Challenges and limits: Restoration outcomes are uncertain and context-dependent. Climate change, invasive species, limited funding, and competing land-use priorities can constrain success. Long-term monitoring and community involvement are essential. Despite challenges, restoration ecology informs policy and land management by providing evidence-based pathways to recover degraded ecosystems.