Ecologic Restoration and History Flashcards
Describe conceptual model of a degraded ecosystem
Start: Original ecosystem –> Enhance
or
Degradation occurs –> Mitigate (minimize effects) or Restoration (active process)
Finish: Improved habitat
What are functional characteristics of ecosystems?
Ecosystem services
- Biodiversity
- Carbon Storage (Blue carbon in coastal systems)
- Food production
- Raw materials
- Waste treatment
- Nutrient filtration
- Erosion control
- Recreational uses
Structural characteristics of a coastal ecosystem
Intact marsh (high and low) and mudflat comprise estuary
The structure and function of coastal wetland systems are based on what drivers?
external drivers but also internal drivers
What are examples of external drivers in the structure and function of a coastal ecosystem?
Sea-level rise Storm frequency and intensity Local tides Freshwater discharge Precipitation Surface Drainage Sediment and nutrient input
What are examples of internal drivers in the structure and function of a coastal ecosystem?
Interrelationships between biological factors (microbial activity, herbivory, burrowing)
and
Microtopographic (accretion figure)
What are 4 examples of recuperation of a coastal ecosystem?
- Recovery
- Mitigation
- Restoration
- Enhancement
Example of Recovery in a coastal ecosystem
Discontinue mosquito control measures (cleaning drainage ditches and spraying Bti)
Example of Mitigation in a coastal ecosystem
allow gate on tidal control device to remain open to minimize its tidal control and go back to natural fluctuations
Examples of Restoration in a coastal ecosystem
Remove dykes, ditches and tidal gates to allow unrestricted sea water entry
Remove barriers that prevent tidal salt marshes from migrating inland with relative sea level rise
What happens when a salt marsh is prevented from migrating inland?
Loss of wetland and habit and associated ecosystem services
Migration inland is necessary with rising sea levels
Factors that contribute to soil accretion in a tidal salt marsh (diagram) and reason
Tidal salt marsh ecosystem can only function/survive if it can vertically accrete and move inland with sea level rise (climate change)
BACI
Before-After-Control-Impact
Mensuration
Natural experiment
BACI for IVBRP
Mensuration
Control: James and Sidney Islands
Impact: Allowing sea water into IVBRP
When did first silviculture planting occur in BC?
1930s
When did interest in restoring GO meadows begin?
Early 1990s on Vancouver Island
When was the Watershed Restoration Program created and where?
In 1995 by Forest Renewal BC (FRBC)
When was the BC chapter of Society for Ecological Restoration formed?
1999 and still active present day
GOERT
Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team
- Established in 1999 and still active present day
GCC
Grasslands Conservation Council
- Established in 1999 and still active present day
- Bunchgrass communities in Okanagan (Pocket Deserts)
- Often developed into Vineyards
TERP
Terrestrial Ecosystem Restoration Program
- Launched in 2000 by FRBC
- No longer active
What is ecological restoration?
Fully restores the components and processes of a damaged ecosystem
What are possible restoration targets?
- Previous historical state
- Contemporary standard
- Desired future condition (ie Historical state cannot be achieved)
When and why does a restoration plan become a desired future condition vs. previous historical state?
When a historical state cannot be achieved because there is nothing left to restore
or
Historical state cannot be determined
or
