Resource Database

Overcoming pollinator habitat restoration challenges through use of best management practices

Habitat degradation and loss is a primary driver of pollinator decline in the upper Midwest. Restoration of prairie and wooded landscapes is one component of an overall nationwide strategy to recover pollinator populations. This presentation will discuss typical implementation challenges often encountered at the landscape scale and present best management practices for how to overcome them from a practitioner’s standpoint. Focus will be on setting realistic goals, site selection and preparation, seed mix design and procurement, and habitat management with a focus on pollinator-friendly herbicide selection and use. Discussion will also focus on the importance of monitoring to assess trajectory of habitat development and pollinator usage and to track overall restoration success. This webinar was sponsored by Stantec.

The speaker for this webinar is Aaron Feggestad, Stantec Senior Ecologist. Aaron has more than 15 years of experience as a volunteer, researcher, and professional working to restore oak-prairie landscapes. As a senior ecologist at Stantec, Aaron specializes in ecosystem restoration planning and design, natural area assessments, ecological stewardship, and vegetation surveys. He has supervised the restoration of thousands of acres of oak and prairie ecosystems throughout the Upper Midwest. Aaron holds a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a Professional Wetland Scientist, and is active in various industry associations including the Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group, where he participates in the pollinator metrics and standards task force. He is a continuing education instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha where he has taught Landscaping for Pollinator Habitat and Invasive Species 101. In addition, Aaron has been an invited as a speaker and facilitator to share his experience restoring pollinators for pipeline, renewable energy, and transportation clients to improve habitat on rights-of-way.

SER2019 Keynote: Water as a Catalyst for Cooperation

This is a keynote talk from the SER 2019 World Conference plenary “Connecting Restoration and Culture.” The speaker is Dr. Azzam Alwash; Dr. Alwash works on issues of water and the environment through Nature Iraq and American University of Iraq, where he is a founding member of the board of trustees. He is focused on promoting cooperation in water management and making water an instrument of peace rather than the source of tension in the future middle east.

SER2019 Keynote: Culture and Restoration of Degraded Landscapes

This is a keynote talk from the SER 2019 World Conference plenary “Connecting Restoration and Culture”;  the speaker is Tangu Tumeo. Tangu is Principal Forestry Officer for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining of Malawi. A forester by profession and growing expert on Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), Tangu has come to appreciate the importance of managing trees and forests as part of a broader ecosystem management plan for increased and multiple benefits to communities.

SER2019 Keynote: A New World, A New Challenge

This is a keynote talk from the SER 2019 World Conference plenary “Landscape Restoration for Water Security.” The speaker is Dhesigen Naidoo, CEO of South Africa’s Water Research Commission.

SER2019 Keynote: Enhancing Water Security – Restoring and Maintaining of the Upper End of the Water Value Chain

This is a keynote talk from the SER 2019 World Conference plenary “Landscape Restoration for Water Security.” The speaker is Christo Marais, the Chief Director of Natural Resource Management Programmes at the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. He is responsible for the Working for Water, Working on Fire, Working for Wetlands, Working for Ecosystems, and Working for Forests programmes at a national level. In addition to WfW, Christo has played a leading role in the development of investments in ecological infrastructure and delivery of ecosystem services through his involvement in: the Forest Trends – Katoomba Group; the International Ecosystem Services Partnership Conferences; establishment of the Drylands Medupi Leadership Initiative aimed at restoring degraded areas in the Lephalale; and the development of a land user incentives programme within DEFF to unlock private sector resources.

SER2019 Keynote: Water Governance at Source: Equity, Ownership, and Restoration at Grassroots

This is a keynote talk from the SER 2019 World Conference plenary “Landscape Restoration for Water Security.” The speaker is Dr. Wanja Dorothy Nyingi, the Head of Ichthyology at the National Museums of Kenya where she studies freshwater fish biodiversity and has authored the first guide to Common Freshwater Fishes of Kenya (2013). Since 2010, Wanja has also served as Coordinator of the Kenya Wetlands Biodiversity Research Team (KENWEB), a multi-disciplinary international team composed of scientists working on East African wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.

SER2019 Keynote: Making the Economic Case for Ecological Restoration: What Does it Take to Convince Investors & Decision-makers?

This is a keynote talk from the SER 2019 World Conference plenary “Economics of Ecological Restoration.” The speaker is Lucy Emerton, an environmental economist specializing in ecosystem valuation and the development of innovative financing mechanisms and economic incentives for biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration, climate adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable land and water management. Her experience spans more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australasia and Latin America.

SER2019 Keynote: Restoring Reef Ecosystems & Innovative Financing to Support Ecological Restoration

This is a keynote talk from the SER 2019 World Conference plenary “Economics of Ecological Restoration.” The speakers are Boze Hancock and Leah Carriere. Boze Hancock is the Senior Marine Habitat Restoration Scientist for TNC’s Global Oceans Team, based at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. Boze has over 30 years of experience in marine research, working on the ecology, fisheries, management, and restoration of coastal marine resources and habitats. Leah Carriere is on The Nature Conservancy’s NatureVest team, Leah coordinates Blue Bonds for Conservation, a TED Audacious Project winning initiative that works with the governments of Small Island Developing States and coastal countries.

Introducing genomics in restoration ecology: How many seed zones does Carex bigelowii have in Norway?

The introduction of genomic methods in ecological restoration is promising as a tool for achieving restoration goals. However, there are only a few case studies showing how genomics can be implemented to restore biodiversity. Here we use seeding as a case, focusing on the active restoration of the former military, arctic-alpine Hjerkinn area, the largest restoration project in Norway. A commonly advocated approach to seeding in restoration is to use seeds from local populations because they will be genetically similar to the original populations. However, there are no guidelines for how local seeds should be selected, and several aspects like intraspecific genetic diversity, inbreeding and adaptive genetic variation complicate the use of seed mixtures of local origin without using molecular methods to confirm the genetic suitability of seeds. We use ddRADseq-derived SNPs to investigate the genetic structure of the sedge Carex bigelowii in Norway, hypothesizing that previously delimited seed zones are not encompassing important genetic variation found between two ecologically distinct subspecies or within the subspecies. We discuss our results, considering conceptual discussions on restoring different levels of biodiversity, and in the context of ongoing discussions on selecting appropriate strategies and seed sources for restoration. The emerging field of landscape genomics, analyzing the genetic basis underlying local adaptation surely adds new tools to the restoration tool box.

The operational dimension of ecological restoration: How to move from conceptual planning to the practice of planting trees with farmers and communities?

How to guarantee 40,000 hectares of forest restoration over 10 years in thousands of third-party farms? Indeed, the primary challenge is to propose a model supported by a societal framework approached from a bottom-up perspective. This is key to ensure landowners’ engagement as well as socioeconomic benefits. The objective is proposing a framework that, by placing people in the core of the strategy, is likely to avoid failure in restoration projects in private properties. The case study, the Fundação Renova and its complex governance, brings an opportunity to establish a cross-sector dialogue alongside a deep knowledge of the territory towards an inclusive model. To make it possible, we have been working with a framework that is flourishing with some positive results. Some actions we have taken so far were to establish local governance, help farmers understand their environment, aggregate knowledge through partnerships, care about the landholders’ socioeconomics, payments for ecosystem services; providing cutting-edge techniques, and supporting a local-based restoration economy. So far, we have been working with over 700 landholders. The number of partner institutions and landholders participating have been increasing, farmers already participating have been giving in new areas, farmers are mobilising their neighbours. We expect this model to strengthen local communities by reconciling land vacation for production and conservation of natural resources.

Age and persistence of secondary Atlantic Forests in Brazil

During the last three decades the Brazilian Atlantic Forest has reversed centuries of deforestation into a net gain of forest cover. Forest restoration occurred mainly due to natural regeneration of abandoned areas and, to a lesser extent, by planned restoration. Restored forests may not persist due to intentional deforestation to avoid legal restrictions regarding mature forests. Considering this scenario, we evaluated the current situation of the Atlantic Forest regarding forest fragment ages and also the persistence of restored forests. During the last three decades, more than 11 million hectares of forests were restored in the Atlantic Forest. However, only 43% of the restored forests persisted until 2016. These restored forests represent approximately 20% of the current forest cover. Moreover, 10% of the current forest cover was restored less than 15 years ago. The persistence of restored forests is critical, especially during the first years as more than 37% of restored forests are cut before 4 years. Also, more than 30% of those restored areas that reach 9 years old will be cut before reaching 10 years. Although we identified a reduction of overall deforestation trends, there is a constant deforestation rate of restored forests, which is leading to a process of rejuvenation of the Atlantic Forest. The adoption of natural regeneration for large scale restoration as a strategy to mitigate climate change and to conserve biodiversity must be associated to policies focusing on protecting restored forests to ensure their persistence.

How much is back and what are the consequences for habitat availability?

During the last three decades the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF) has shifted from a deforestation-dominated scenario to a net forest gain after 2002. However local studies show there are concomitant deforestation and forest recovery heterogeneously distributed along the BAF. It is essential to understand the consequences of large-scale forest recovery in a context of intense forest cover (FC) dynamics. We divided the entire BAF into equal-sized landscapes in order to analyze the changes in FC, landscape connectivity, and consequently, in habitat availability along the biome. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF) lost 1.8 million hectares of forest from 1985 until 2002 but recovered 0.18 million ha. This result is a combination of high rates of forest restoration and deforestation (~350 Kha of both deforestation and restoration per year) heterogeneously distributed along the BAF. The forest recovery avoided the reduction of FC in 36% of the BAF and allowed a net improvement in FC in 97% of the landscapes. In 30% of the BAF the forest recovery increased both FC and landscape connectivity. However, in 65% of the landscapes the forest recovery occurred in isolated areas and did not improve landscape connectivity, whereas 3% of the landscapes suffered both forest loss and reduction of landscape connectivity. The lack of spatial planning for large scale restoration associated to concomitant deforestation reduced the benefits of forest recovery to landscape structure. Thus, large scale restoration efforts must be spatially planned to improve landscape configuration and promote biodiversity conservation in restored areas.

Mapbiomas: Methodology to produce 30 years of annual maps for forest dynamics

The MapBiomas project began in July 2015 with the purpose of generating annual land use and land cover maps for all Brazilian territory, using digital image processing of Landsat imagery from 1985 to the current day (Souza & Azevedo, 2017). Automatic classification was performed using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm implemented in Google Earth Engine. Large-scale tropical forest dynamic analysis in Brazil Atlantic Forest Biome with 131.000 Mha was performed using the GEE platform, comparing pairs of land use maps in consecutive years (transition maps) from 1986 to 2016. Forest Restoration was divided in two different classes: Persistent Restoration includes areas of Pasture or “Mosaic of Agriculture or Pasture” mapped three consecutive years as forest and then persisted as Forest until 2016 and Non Persistent Restoration includes areas that were mapped as Forest and were deforested afterwards. Forest dynamics show a reduction of deforestation in old growth forests while restored forest increased forest cover over the last decade.

Large-scale restoration in the Atlantic Forest: Current status and perspectives

Brazil presented its intention of Nationally Determined Contribution for the global effort to mitigate climate change in 2015. A key proposed action is the recovery of 12 M ha of native vegetation by 2030 with approximately 6 M ha in the Atlantic Forest. The case for restoration in this biome is an example of how to build the necessary conditions for recovery of native vegetation at a large-scale for other biomes in Brazil and internationally. Three main government regulations have been assisted the Atlantic Forest recovery: the Atlantic Forest Law, the Native Vegetation Protection Law, and the National Policy for Recovery of Native Vegetation. The Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact is likely to be the largest bottom-up restoration movement wordwide and has been building key mechanisms of governance, communication and articulation; monitoring systems; and strategies to influence public policies. There are some emblematic examples of restoration projects showing restoration as an economically viable activity. Although competition with agricultural lands has been a critical bottleneck for recovery of native vegetation, there are some successful initiatives in the Atlantic Forest focused on: landscape planning that targets integration of productive actions, conservation, and recovery; recovery of native vegetation linked to sustainable agricultural intensification; and identification of priority areas for maximizing socio-environmental outcomes  and minimizing competition with agricultural production systems. Brazil has assumed a key role of leadership in international forest landscape restoration negotiations, especially due to several examples in the Atlantic Forest, and any break in this path will result in several environmental setbacks.

Rodent deterrent seed coating technologies for restoration seeding

Seed planting is a common method for restoring damaged landscapes. In many ecosystems, the establishment of planted seed is limited by the consumption of seed-eating animals. Seed coating technologies may hold the key to increasing restoration success by providing seeds a way to escape granivory. The seed surface can be coated with products that make seeds less desirable to seed predators. The Great Basin provides an excellent study system to observe seed-granivore interactions and test the effectiveness of seed coatings. In this region, kangaroo rats are the primary granivore and strongly affect plant establishment: We coated seeds in several products with known rodent repellant properties and tested them in two-choice feeding trials using kangaroo rats (Dipodymus sp.). Kangaroo rats strongly avoided eating coated seeds when alternative food options were present, even if the coating contained no active ingredient. This indicated that the physical barrier created by the seed coating contributed to deterrence more so than the rodent repellents in the coating. Two-choice feeding trials simulate how animals behave under conditions when food choices are plentiful, meaning that the active ingredients may play a greater role when food sources are scarce. For this reason, we conducted a 1-choice feeding trial in which kangaroo rats had access only to coated seed for a time. Under these conditions, kangaroo rats consumed some types of coated seed more than others.

Can delaying germination reduce winter mortality of fall-sown seeds in cold deserts?

Efforts to restore semi-arid wildlands in the western United States predominantly use seeds and frequently occur in the fall. Fall conditions are often more amenable to seeding, and successfully over-wintered seeds/seedlings are poised to take full advantage of spring moisture. However, winter mortality of fall-germinated seeds has been shown to be a common barrier to seeding success in some regions. Postponing seeding until spring avoids this barrier but presents other risks and drawbacks. One solution proposed to avoid winter mortality, without sacrificing the benefits of fall seeding, is to delay the onset of germination of fall-sown seeds. At six field sites over three consecutive years (18 combinations) in the northern Great Basin of the United States, we compared germination timing and first-year success of seeds treated to delay germination (“treated”) to untreated seeds in drill-seeding experiments. We asked: 1) does the treatment result in delayed germination, and, if so, 2) does a delay reduce winter mortality? Treated seed produced less winter germination than untreated in all 18 site by year combinations. Treated seeds also resulted in higher seedling density in 8 combinations, including 7 of the 8 combinations in which the majority (>50%) of untreated seeds germinated in the winter. We conclude that our treatments consistently delayed germination in the field, but improved seeding success only when winter mortality was a barrier. These findings support continued experimentation with germination-delaying treatments and highlight the need for models that define and predict winter mortality risk.

The effects of land degradation on sustainability of the Lesotho Highland Water Development Project: The need for land restoration

Lesotho is known as Southern Africa’s water engine due to its abundant water and high altitude that allows it to supply water to parts of the region either through treaties or naturally. Lesotho currently supplies 780 million m³ of water to Johannesburg through the Lesotho Highland Water Development Project (LHWDP), thus driving one of the strongest African economies. Lesotho earns royalties that contribute 10% to its Gross Domestic Product and hydropower. Lesotho has also agreed to the envisaged Lesotho – Botswana Water Transfer. The project will benefit communities in Lesotho, Botswana, and South Africa through increased climate resilience and long-term water supply security, revenue for Lesotho, and increased irrigation agriculture. Namibia benefits from Lesotho’s water through the Orange River. This talk highlights the importance of land restoration for Highland Water Development Project stability. LHWDP is highly attractive to politicians because of the money generated. However, politicians have no interest in land rehabilitation. Lesotho’s highlands are severely degraded, affecting the recharge of underground water. In the long-run water projects will not endure. Restoration brings economic benefits from increased productivity on formerly degraded lands. A healthy land restores biodiversity lost during construction. Land restoration creates recreational opportunities conducive to ecotourism development. Additionally, restoring vegetation reduces soil erosion and related de-silting expenses. All states benefiting from Lesotho’s water should develop a coordinated land restoration approach for a continued supply of water. Lesotho should also allocate a percentage of royalties for land restoration and urge local water utilities to pledge resources for restoration programs.

Socioeconomic and environmental suitability of rural properties: A strategic engagement for community and forest recovery

The failure of the Fundão dam on November 5th, 2015, represents the most substantial socio-environmental impact of a mining dam in history. The tailings deposits in the floodplains and river beds caused severe effects on rural and agricultural activities for approximately 2000 landowners, mainly due to production restrictions and water availability. The need a full reparation of rural properties conducted by the Renova Foundation considers the engagement of several actors. It should be considered that the current profile of land use and occupation usually diverges with agricultural vocation, causing production inefficiency and deforestation. The Socioeconomic and Environmental Adequacy of Rural Properties assessment (SEARP) is part of the development of a methodology for the evaluation of the Indicators of Sustainability in Agroecosystems (ISA), developed by relevant governmental institutes and universities in Brazil. This integrated approach to rural properties enables intelligent management of agricultural areas, increasing productivity and reducing pressure on areas to be reforested, reconciling increased income and environmental suitability. Current results demonstrate a high percentage of adherence to this proposal, mainly by small and medium farmers. Around 150 hectares of native forests were planted together with the recovery and management of agricultural production. Demonstration units related to commercial use of forests and ecological management of pastures, along with quality technical assistance and rural extension, strategically integrate the possibility of a large-scale land-use alternative, strengthening public policies and sustaining the proposal in the medium and long term.

Emergency recovery from the Fundão Dam failure: Preparation for ecosystem restoration

The failure of the Fundão dam on November 5th, 2015, spilled approximately 40 million cubic meters of iron tailings over watercourses, floodplains, cities, native forests and agricultural lands along 600 kilometres of the Doce River to the Atlantic Ocean. Emergency Rehabilitation efforts have been conducted in the affected areas by the non-governmental organisation Renova Foundation, initially by reestablishing the vegetation and soils of impacted areas. The need for a fast-intervention protocol to address the adaptive management of this first emergency phase led to the combination of rapid-revegetation techniques through a mix of grasses and leguminous plants for erosion control, followed by bioengineering techniques and reestablishment of the river system, aiming to provide conditions for the restoration of ecological functions in the medium and long term. Conceptual projects for each environment were developed considering impacts on the geomorphology of the affected rivers, along with adjustments in the field at the time of execution, allowing a scale gain and significant time reduction in determining the emergency solution. The actions resulted in a prompt stabilisation of the main rivers, tributaries, and flood plains. Recent results from a monitoring program showed at least 90% soil-loss reduction was achieved in each of the erosion control treatments as a reduction in turbidity levels of the rivers and an increase in the microbial activity of soils in comparison to unaffected areas. Today, a program of ecological restoration of the watercourses preservation areas (WPAs) is taking place together with restitution of agricultural lands.

Long term water security begins at the source: A case study of the Greater Cape Town Water Fund

In the summer of 2017/18, Cape Town, South Africa’s second largest city, experienced the cumulative impact of one of the worst droughts on record. The reservoir levels dropped to critically low levels and unprecedented water restrictions were implemented to avoid a situation where the taps would run dry. Cape Town’s human population and associated economic activities grow, while climate models show future decreases in rainfall accompanied with higher temperatures, increasing the risk of water shortages.

Current forecasts suggest that an additional 300-350 million liters of water per day will be needed by 2028 to ensure supply meets demand. Over R8 billion in public funding is being considered for augmenting water supply through investments in desalination, Table Mountain Group Aquifer drilling, water reuse and increased surface water storage to meet the required demand. Over two-thirds of the sub-catchments upon which the region depends for its water are affected by alien plant invasions, reducing the amount of water that reaches the rivers and dams by 55 Mm³ per year. The Greater Cape Town Water Fund Business Case launched in 2018, shows an investment of R372 million will generate annual water gains of 55 Mm³, increasing to 100 Mm³ within 30 years at one-tenth the unit cost of alternative supply options. The results of this business case demonstrate that restoring ecological infrastructure is a cost-effective and sustainable means of augmenting water and securing a long-term supply.

An evaluation of methods for alien fish removals in headwater streams: Lessons from South Africa

Headwater streams are critical habitats for conserving freshwater biodiversity, but invasions by non‐native predatory fish can compromise the value of otherwise-pristine headwater habitats as sanctuaries for native species within largely transformed riverscapes. In certain situations, the removal of alien fishes can be an effective means for rehabilitating invaded rivers through increasing habitat area and connectivity for threatened and fragmented native species populations. While both developed and developing countries recognize the threat posed by non-native fish, few of the latter have implemented control programmes to manage it. In South Africa, introduced predatory fish have depleted, or eliminated, native fish populations, modified community structure in otherwise pristine headwater streams, and pose a serious future threat to several endemic freshwater species. In response to this situation, recent interventions, including both chemical and mechanical approaches, have been applied to rivers in South Africa with varying success. Here, we review the different options available for removing non-native fish from headwater streams and draw on case studies from South Africa to identify strengths, weaknesses, and criteria for maximising the success of future-such interventions.

Invasive alien aquatic plant management: Ecosystem recovery and restoration

Invasive alien aquatic plants (IAAPs) have severe ecological and socio-economic impacts on freshwater systems in southern Africa and beyond. The application of biological controls against floating IAAPs has significantly improved freshwater ecological and socio-economic returns, but the overall effects of successful biological control on ecosystem recovery remains poorly understood. This study quantifies ecosystem recovery and long-term ecological effects following mechanical and biological control of Salvinia molesta. A combination of mesocosm (Before/After, Control/Impact) and field (Before/After) experiments were employed to test: (i) changes in water quality, (ii) shifts in phytoplankton, periphyton and aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages, and (iii) shifts in trophic dynamics and aquatic food web structure before and after S. molesta management. Mechanical removal and biological control of S. molesta did bring about ecological recovery and ecosystem re-organisation, however, mechanical removal proved unsustainable by allowing a coinciding linear regime-shift from clear water to a submerged (Ceratophyllum demersum) and later, emergent (Nymphaea nouchali) IAAPs dominant state. This presentation will discuss ecological changes before and after S. molesta management using both mesocosm and field evidence and highlight possible restoration implications of the control methods for floating IAAPs. In conclusion, a biological control programme for IAAPs management, followed by active restoration practices (introduction of native macrophytes) is recommended. This study provides support for informed management recommendations for ecosystem recovery and restoration of invaded aquatic ecosystems in southern Africa and worldwide.

Riparian restoration in fynbos catchments

Invasive alien plant species are a primary cause of ecosystem degradation in semi-arid South Africa, and their control and management is a legislated priority in the country. Here, ecological restoration has developed as a complementary research stream to invasion biology, primarily because strategic water providing catchment areas that also conserve the country’s rich biodiversity are faced with an escalating threat posed by alien plant invasions. Restoration interventions, through direct removal of alien trees, increase water flows, improve groundwater infiltration and water quality, and reduce disaster risk. Much restoration work has therefore occurred in riparian zones, where there has been the overriding assumption of post-clearing passive recovery of the system (i.e. self-repair). Positive biodiversity outcomes are assumed, but not always evident. Frameworks for restoration of these dynamic and linearly connected systems require an understanding of biogeographical processes at different spatial sales and the relationship between the invasion process (and species), resilience, and ecosystem function. Due to legacy effects, management interventions themselves may influence restoration outcomes, and where biotic or abiotic thresholds have been passed, interventions may require also require active restoration. We present an overview and synthesis of recent research in this regard.

Managing alien invasive species to restore aquatic ecosystems in South Africa

Freshwater ecosystems in South Africa contain diverse communities that exhibit high degrees of endemism particularly with regard to dragonflies, crabs, amphibians, and fishes. For example, 90% of the native fishes that inhabit the Cape Fold Ecoregion are found nowhere else on earth. As is the case globally, freshwater ecosystems are in a state of crisis because of the increasing demands that the human population has on these systems. As a result, most are subject to multiple stressors, including habitat modification, pollution, flow reduction and the introduction of alien invasive species (AIS). Of these stressors, the introduction of AIS are considered one of the least reversible, and in South Africa their control and management is a legislated priority. As a result, the country has invested significant resources in restoring invaded ecosystems through combatting invasions through direct removals and biological control. In this paper, we provide a review of the extent of alien fish and plant invasions in aquatic ecosystems and use current examples of the response strategies to mitigate impacts and, in some cases, restore ecosystems.

Ecological restoration’s impact on public health: Results of a literature review, some reflections and predictions

Different kinds of ecological restoration activities are being investigated and tried across the globe, many to great success. To strengthen and broaden the impact of these efforts, and to rapidly increase the amount of ecological restoration throughout the world, the EcoHealth Network (EHN) is creating an interactive network of long-term sites that will address key deficits in science, education, and outreach. EHN will discuss this work and also its efforts to combine social, economic, and ecological perspectives to address two related knowledge gaps: 1) soil responses to restoration, and 2) the relationships between ecosystem health and human health. We will also explore existing and new research opportunities on soil biodiversity in relationship to human health and as a foundation to ecosystem health. Human health and ecosystem health are seldom linked by the disciplines that study them, with the exception of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), with its dynamic, holistic approaches. Research linkages could show, for example, how health outcomes might inform ecological restoration and, for instance, the public health benefits of the cumulative impacts of restored ecosystems. To address knowledge gaps about relationships between soil biodiversity, human health, and ecological restoration, we have undertaken an interdisciplinary literature review on the inclusion of public health and other health outcomes in ecological restoration. Based on the synthesis of the literature, we will present TEK case studies, research possibilities, collaborative opportunities, and policy initiatives that can accelerate public understanding and awareness of the enormous benefits of ecological restoration for human health.

Urban ecological restoration in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Urban ecological restoration has been the focus of our New Zealand government funded research since 2005.  Our most recent research programme People, Cities and Nature (https://www.peoplecitiesnature.co.nz/research) was initiated in 2016.  The programme seeks to improve the quality of life, health and economic wellbeing in New Zealand’s cities and towns through advanced understanding of urban ecology and the creation of flourishing natural environments. Multidisciplinary research is being undertaken in nine NZ cities via six inter-related projects:

• Restoration plantings
• Urban lizards
• Mammalian predators
• Māori restoration values
• Green space benefits
• Cross-sector alliances

While our emphasis was on the ecological science of urban biodiversity restoration at the outset, we have become increasingly involved in understanding the multiple benefits of urban ecological restoration projects including social cohesion and health and recreation benefits. Our presentation will focus on the progress made in bringing indigenous nature back into Hamilton City on North Island NZ since the advent of two community-based initiatives the Gully Restoration Programme (2000) and the establishment of Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park (2004).  Our research has strongly underpinned the design and management of both projects and documented the many benefits they provide to the city and its people.

Investigating the impacts of environmental pollution and highlighting the need for environmental restoration

There is a lack of environmental health data in Africa, which is undergoing rapid development. The SA-Swiss Bilateral Research Chair in Global Environmental Health therefore aims to conduct locally and globally relevant studies in this setting. Project 1 included a cohort study that investigated the effects of chemical and biological air pollution on childhood asthma in four informal settlements of the Western Cape, South Africa. Project 2 is a cohort study investigating the effects of pesticide pollution on childhood reproduction and neurodevelopment. Project 3 include two cross-sectional surveys on the effect of water pollution and hygiene on diarrhoea among residents of informal settlements in the Lotus River catchment area in the Western Cape. Project 4 aims to investigate the effect of climate change on health. In the panel study, short-term fungal spore exposure was found to significantly decrease lung function even beyond the day of exposure. In the air pollution cohort study, nitrogen oxide levels (daily annual mean = 14 µg/m³) below international exposure limits significantly increased asthma symptoms and reduced airway inflammation at one-year follow-up. Preliminary findings from the pesticide study, show that more than 80% of participants reported exposure to spraying and about 20% reported contact with pesticides. In the water pollution surveys, more than 10% of samples had mercury and arsenic levels above health standards due to contamination of containers. Implications for policy interventions and environmental restoration will be determined and results will be communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Linking Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), native grassland and soil health, and human health on Indigenous traditional lands

For millennia, Indigenous people have created more productive, healthy ecosystems by modifying them with fire and by altering the movements of important wildlife species such as bison. These practices, part of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), created healthy, productive soils, increased biodiversity, ecosystem resiliency and vigor, and sustained human health. Globally, colonialism, defined as a foreign polity seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territories to develop or exploit them to benefit the colonizing country and help the colonies modernize in terms defined by the colonizers, has created extensive ecological degradation. We illustrate this global problem—and solution—with a case study from an EcoHealth Network founder site in southwest Alberta, Canada, that involves the Kainai (Blackfoot or Nitsitapi) First Nation. Here, colonialism directly caused ecological degradation. Euro-American settler-induced changes included extirpation of bison (Bison bison), wolves, and beavers; elimination of wildfire, introduction of non-native agronomic grass species, suppression of traditional fires set by Indigenous people, and introduction of infectious diseases. Collectively these actions caused soil erosion and desertification and a sharp decline in biodiversity and human health. Here I discuss how empowering Indigenous communities to restore ecosystems using TEK can heal the damage done. Restoration projects co-created and led by Indigenous communities rooted in their cultural beliefs, can synergistically restore soil health, ecological function, biodiversity, and human health. This leads to improved resiliency to ecological problems such as climate change and to solutions to widespread human health problems, such as diabetes, that we face today.

The impact of a lack of policy framework for restoration in South Africa

Just because the word “rehabilitation” appears in the South African National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA), does not mean that it happens, or that there are institutional structures or mechanisms in place to ensure active rehabilitation of environmental degradation. The NEMA does not call for the proactive rehabilitation of environmental degradation, but only for enforcement-driven rehabilitation where an environmental crime has been committed. This means that where environmental degradation or pollution has taken place historically (i.e. before the legislation came into effect) there is no legal framework, organisation, or mechanism to proactively rehabilitate this damage. Similarly, where activities that may once have caused environmental damage have been abandoned (i.e. there is no legal person continuing with the activity), again there is no legal framework, organisation, or mechanism that will ensure the environmental degradation is stopped, mitigated, or rehabilitated. The result of a lack of framework has resulted in extreme, cumulative environmental damage. Without supporting legislation, the rehabilitation activities are viewed as “new developments” and must crawl through the same onerous, complex, and costly authorising process as an actual environmentally degrading activity (e.g. dredging a wetland or mining). Ultimately, rehabilitation of environmental degradation is not carried out, and only to a limited effect under enforcement driven rehabilitation. Of relevance, the South African legislation has been replicated in other countries in Africa. This paper highlights the pitfalls and resultant impacts of a lack of policy framework for rehabilitation and makes suggestions on the way forward.

Promoting sustainable permanent grassland systems in Switzerland: Lessons learnt from 20 years of policy-driven restoration efforts

Promoting ecological restoration at a scale commensurate with international sustainability commitments requires coherent policies and multi-stakeholder approaches. Since the recognition of agricultural multi-functionality in 1996, several policies have been introduced in Switzerland to balance rural development, food security, and environmental objectives. The lessons learnt after 20-odd years of implementation can guide future land management decisions. This paper, which originates from the Europe-wide research undertaken for the EU-supported SUPER-G project (SUstainable PERmanent Grassland: https://www.super-g.eu/), focuses on the effects of Swiss agro-environmental policies on sustainable permanent grasslands in the country. We use a socio-ecological systems approach and stakeholder analysis to assess the outcomes of policy instruments on grassland biodiversity, ecosystem services and farmers’ income. The data comprise a qualitative analysis of official policy documents and grey literature as well as semi-structured interviews with key Swiss stakeholders. Preliminary results show that better ecological outcomes could have been achieved and trade-offs mitigated with more integrated and inclusive solutions. These findings can improve the calibration of policy instruments to enable land managers to restore and maintain permanent grasslands in good condition. Questions of applicability and upscaling to other bio-geographical regions and socio-economic contexts further reveal the need for integrated monitoring and assurance systems for investors, land managers, and consumers.