Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
multiple benefi ts. As Scherr and Rhodes (2006) note,
'Synergies can be delivered by enhancing coordination
and complementarity between existing conservation
and production strategies. Diverse stakeholders need to
be collectively engaged in designing and delivering
strategies that simultaneously address the challenges
of meeting goals for rural livelihoods, food security and
environmental sustainability' (p. 23). Well-funded res-
toration efforts in protected areas can be undertaken
with optimism and expectation for success. Restoration
projects for lands actively being used or exploited or
abandoned lands have been less common and demand
much more attention. If a range of options that previ-
ous research has suggested are 'best bets' are tested
and evaluated on each project arid and semi-arid lands,
restoration projects can avoid repetitive failures and
improve restoration practices more rapidly.
Solutions that halt and reverse desertifi cation can be
found, but they won't reveal themselves without much
improved, long-term, transdisciplinary research and
demonstration at fi eld, community, and regional levels.
Restoration can improve the outlook for people and the
environment and reduce the risks of ecosystem col-
lapse and extensive migration. This is made even more
important by the added stress of climate change with
rising temperatures, less rainfall, reduced streamfl ow
and more extreme weather events. Healthier and more
productive ecosystems from improved management
are more resilient and reduce the risk of ecosystem
collapse.
