Restoration ecology (class 22) Flashcards
What is ecological restoration?
The practice of restoring the species and ecosystems that occupied a site at some point in the past but were degraded, damaged, or destroyed
What is restoration ecology?
The science of restoration- the research and scientific study of restored populations, communities, and ecosystems
When are businesses or governments required by law to restore habitats they have degraded?
After strip mining, waste disposal, chemical pollution on military bases
What is compensatory mitigation?
Also called biodiversity offset. A new site is created or rehabilitated in compensation for a site that has been destroyed elsewhere by development
What 2 policies does the gov. of Canada use with conservation allowances?
- the Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat (DFO), supported habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act
- Canada’s Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation (FPWC)- conservation allowances to address impacts on wetlands in relation to the federal environmental assessment process
What could conservation allowances involve?
De-listing an identified portion of a sanctuary or wildlife area, and at the same time, adding a new portion of land (the allowance area) to the listed area
What happens when the allowance activity is aligned with “SARA’s” goals?
Environment Canada could include an allowance as part of permit conditions to further protect the species in order to make that proposed impact acceptable
What does the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation provide?
The FPWC provides a framework for mitigating proposed impacts on wetlands that are connected to federal actions
- also commits all federal departments to the overall goal of no net loss of wetland functions on federal lands or as a result of federal programs
What are Environment & climate change Canada’s 6 elements of conservation allowance design?
1) Equivalency
2) Additionality
3) Location
4) Timing
5) Duration
6) Accountability
6 elements:
Define equivalency
Conservation allowance projects should compensate for adverse impacts by protecting, enhancing, or restoring equivalent ecological function at another site
What are “ecological functions”?
- processes that are carried out by an ecosystem and that are needed for the self-maintenance of that ecosystem (like nutrient cycling or seed dispersal)
What should the ratio of conservation allowance area vs impacted habitat?
Greater than 1:1. Normally at least 2:1.
6 elements:
Define additionality
Conservation allowances should provide ecological protection beyond what would be provided under a “business as usual” scenario. Ensures that the new ecological features replace what’s been lost.
6 elements:
Define location
The location of conservation allowance should have a comparable ecosystem values (such as species composition and habitat structures)
6 elements:
Define timing
Want allowances that can be implemented before the adverse impacts of proposed development occur
6 elements:
Define duration
The positive effects of the conservation allowance should last an appropriate amount of time to compensate for the duration of ecological loss
6 elements:
Define accountability
Allowances should be formalized with documentation
What are the 3 mitigation measures?
1) avoidance of the proposed activity
2) minimize the impact of the activity
3) habitat compensation
What should we aim for in restoration?
- pre-European settlement
- functioning ecosystem
- original ecosystem
- novel ecosystem
How do we establish desired future condition?
- use reference sites/ecosystems
- knowledge of the former natural disturbance regime & former variability
- local knowledge
- historical references
- scientific literature
- professional opinion
What is adaptive restoration?
continued monitoring of restoration sites over many years, so we can assess long-term success and see if further intervention is required
What should a successfully restored ecosystem look like?
It should be
- dominated by native species
- contain representatives of all key functional groups of species
- have a physical environ. suitable for these
- and be secure from all outside disturbances
How long can ecosystem recovery take?
Can take decades or centuries in some ecosystems (especially in cold sites)
What’s the first step after damage to an ecosystem?
Must eliminate or control the damaging agent
