Basics of Restoration Ecology
Restoration ecology focuses on restoring ecosystems that have been degraded, functionally impaired, or completely destroyed. As a specialized branch of nature conservation science, it aims to return these ecosystems to a more natural state, facilitating their recovery. This approach contrasts with traditional conservation efforts, which prioritize the preservation of existing natural conditions in protected areas (see Kollmann 2019, Baur 2021). For instance, practices such as extensive land use to maintain ecologically valuable habitats like semi-dry grasslands through agri-environmental measures fall under traditional habitat management . On the other hand, activities like removing woody growth from former dry grasslands are more aligned with restoration ecology.
Within the field of restoration ecology, several overlapping concepts can be distinguished:
a) Restoration: e.g., the removal of shrub encroachment from dry grasslands or the widening of river channels. b) Revitalization: e.g., re-wetting of peatlands or introducing deadwood into rivers to create necessary habitat structures for certain species. c) Reclamation: e.g., reforesting landfills or areas damaged by windthrow. d) Ecological rehabilitation: e.g., removing heavy metals from soil or introducing oxygen into water bodies. e) Extensification: e.g., reducing the intensity of grassland use by eliminating fertilizers (based on Kollmann 2019, Baur 2021).
Restoration ecology is a rapidly growing area within nature conservation, partly due to legal requirements to compensate for impacts on nature and landscapes. For this reason, the website and the Natura 2000 Manager course dedicate a specific module to restoration ecology. This module primarily features instructional videos on key types of restoration measures.
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Sources
Baur, B. (2021): Naturschutzbiologie. 440 pp., UTB series 5416, Haupt-Verlag, Bern.
Kollmann, J., Kirmer A., Tischew, S. et al. (2019): Renaturierungsökologie. Springer Spektrum, Berlin.