Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.4
Sequential references in ecological restoration. Dashed lines represent degraded conditions as compared to an
intact, undisturbed system. The inner circles in each 'sun' on the fi gure represent the ecosystem. The outer concentric circles
of each 'sun' represent the landscape (biophysical matrix of the ecosystem), and the socio-economic matrix, in which the
ecosystem is embedded. The triangular 'rays' of each 'sun' represent various goods and services that fl ow from the 'natural
capital' that is an intact ecosystem with its native biodiversity. From Clewell and Aronson (2007); reproduced with permission
from Island Press.
knowledge of patterns and processes of 'nature' (i.e. eco-
systems and biodiversity at all relevant scales and levels
of organization). We recall that restoration ecology is
essentially a branch of applied ecology (see Freckleton
et
al
. 2005) - that is, ecological research that informs man-
agement practice to be used by society as a whole.
In this fi rst chapter, we have indicated the starting
place for our project. As mentioned, several of the con-
cepts that we introduced here will be elaborated on in
Chapter 2 as part of a set of what we consider the
unifying concepts for restoration ecology, indispensa-
ble for appreciating the chapters that will follow.
