Project Design - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 43

PART II
Project Design
We don't often think of ecological restoration in terms of design because many projects do not
require much in the way of design. However, for projects on fallow, abandoned, or otherwise
severely altered sites, you will have to make decisions on “what goes where.” Those decisions are
what we call design, whether they are about environmental factors controlling that decision or
about the desires of your stakeholders. The most common source for design is to “copy” something
already existing, as in a reference site.
The condition of your project site will determine what items will require replacing or reestab-
lishing, and in what shape, pattern, or location on the site. Commonly, this may require you to
conduct your own investigations to understand more fully the nature of the various elements in
question. In chapter 4, we discuss the various abiotic and biotic conditions that you will need to
assess to understand the opportunities and constraints on your project site. If you are not restricted
to a specific project site, then you can conduct similar analyses of several possible project sites
prior to making your final site selection.
Project design is directly affected by several factors. The final outcome is a reflection of bud-
get, time schedule, and the availability of labor, plant material, and equipment. Adjustments and
“rethinking” are typically required. At this point in the process, your creativity and innovativeness
are your biggest allies.
In the planning process, you will need to address the sustainability of the improvements you
propose to put on the site. Circumstances will determine whether there is a need to provide
supplemental water to the site to ensure survival of the plantings, if that was your strategy of resto-
ration. In many parts of the world, water is not as predictable as it once was, or as available. There-
fore, you will need to develop your thoughts on how you will get water to the site.
Ecological restoration can involve an extremely wide range of elements. Depending on the
project site, you may be able to use several actions to accomplish your project goals. Today, many
projects require planting, as there is little time, vulnerable soil, or some other concern that de-
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