Abstract
A broad and objective perspective of ecological and socioenomic knowledge is required to underlie a scientific approach to the problems of terrestrial restoration ecology. Uncertainty associated with limited scientific knowledge highlights the crucial importance of the interaction between science and policy in weighing ecological restoration alternatives in relation to other management options. In this paper, we provide a pragmatic definition for restoration ecology that is suitable for extensive terrestrial applications and present a decision framework to help organize and clarify different phases of the decision process as it is related to ecological restoration. We argue that restoration planning should include a wider spectrum of participants and decisions than have traditionally been employed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Allen, T. H. F., R. V. O'Neill, and T. W. Hoekstra. 1984. Interlevel relations in ecological research and management: Some working principles from hierarchy theory. USDA Forest Service General Tech. Rep. RM-110. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Aronson, J., C. Floret, E. Le Floc'h, C. Ovalle, and R. Pontanier. 1993. Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid lands. I. A view from the South.Restoration Ecology 1: 8–17.
Berger, J. (ed.). 1990. Environmental restoration: Science and strategies for restoring the earth. Island Press, Washington, DC, 398 pp.
Bradshaw, A. D. 1987. The reclamation of derelict land and the ecology of ecosystems. Pages 53–74in W. R. Jordan, III, M. E. Gilpin, and J. D. Aber (eds.), Restoration ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Brown, J. H., and J. Roughgarden. 1990. Ecology for a changing earth.Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 71: 173–188.
Burrough, P. A. 1989. Matching spatial databases and quantitative models in land resource assessment.Soil Use Management 5: 3–8.
Cairns, J., Jr.. 1989. Restoring damaged ecosystems: Is predisturbance condition a viable option?Environmental Professional 11: 152–159.
Cairns, J., Jr. 1988. Rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems, 2 vol. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.
Ciarns, J., Jr. 1990. The prediction, validation, monitoring and mitigation of anthropogenic effects on natural systems.Environmental Auditor 2: 19–25.
Chambers, N. M. 1993. Analysis of a conservation corridor and buffer zone for the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and the Port Antonio Marine Park (proposed). Masters thesis. Department of Resource Recreation and Tourism, University of Idaho, 99 pp.
Chambers, N. M., and S. H. Ham. 1995. Strengthening regional planning through community education.In R. E. Saunier and R. A. Meganck (eds.), The new regional development planning. World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Organization of American States (OAS). Washington, DC (in press).
Clark, J. S. 1990. Twentieth-century climate change, fire suppression, and forest production and decomposition in northwestern Minnesota.Canadian Journal of Forest Research 20: 219–232.
Clements, F. E. 1916. Plant succession: An analysis of the development of vegetation. Carnegie Institute Publication 242, Washington, DC.
Ewel, J. J. 1987. Restoration is the ultimate test of ecological theory. Pages 31–33in W. R. Jordan, III, M. E. Gilpin and J. D. Aber (eds.), Restoration ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Guinon, M., and D. Allen. 1990. Restoration of dune habitat at Spanish Bay. Pages 70–80in J. J. Berger (ed.), Environmental restoration: Science for restoring the earth. Island Press, Washington, DC.
Hamilton, L. S. 1990. Restoration of degraded tropical forests. Pages 113–123in J. J. Berger (ed.), Environmental restoration: Science for restoring the earth. Island Press, Washington, DC.
Harmon, M. E., W. K. Ferrell, and J. F. Franklin. 1990. Effects on carbon storage of conversion of old-growth forests to young forests.Science 247: 699–702.
Jordan, W. R., III, R. I. Peters, III, and E. B. Allen. 1988. Ecological restoration as a strategy for conserving biological diversity.Environmental Management 12: 55–72.
Lewis, R. R., III. 1990. Wetlands restoration/creation/enhancement terminology: suggestions for standardization. Pages 417–422in J. A. Kusler and M. E. Kentula (eds.), Wetland creation and restoration: The status of the science. Island Press, Washington, DC.
Louda, S. M. 1988. Insect pests and plant stresses as considerations for revegetation of disturbed ecosystems. Pages 51–67in J. Cairnes (ed.), Rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.
Lubchenco, J., A. M. Olson, L. B. Brubacker, S. R. Carpenter, M. M. Holland, S. P. Hubbell, S. A. Levin, J. A. MacMahon, P. A. Matson, J. M. Melillo, H. A. Mooney, C. H. Peterson, H. R. Pullinam, L. A. Real, P. J. Regal, and P. G. Risser. 1991. The sustainable biosphere initiative: An ecological research agenda.Ecology 72: 371–412.
Mitsch, W. J. 1993. Ecological engineering: A cooperative role with the planetary life-support system.Environmental Science and Technology 27: 438–445.
Mitsch, W. J. 1994. Ecological engineering: A friend.Journal of Environmental Engineering 120: 483–486.
National Research Council, 1992. Restoration of aquatic ecosystems: Science, technology, and public policy. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 552 pp.
Overpeck, J. T., D. Rind, and R. Goldberg. 1990. Climate induced changes in forest disturbance and vegetation.Nature 343: 51–53.
Riner, R. D. 1990. Anthropology about the future.Renewable Resources Journal 8: 14–15.
Robertson, E. O., L. A. Joza, and D.L. Spittlehouse. 1990. Estimating Douglas-fir wood production from soil and climate data.Canadian Journal of Forest Research 20: 357–364.
Shanholtz, V. O., E. R. Yagow, J. M. Flagg, R. K. Byler, S. Mostaghimi, and T. A. Dillaha. 1988. Agricultural pollution potential database for Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District. Interim Report VirGIS 88-7. Department of Conservation and Historic Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Richmond, Virginia, 44 pp.
Thomas, C. P., T. C. Doughty, D. F. Faulda, W. E. Harrison, J. S. Irving, H. C. Jamison, and G. J. White, 1991. Alaska oil and gas: Energy wealth a vanishing opportunity. US Department of Energy, DOE/ID/01570-H1.
Tripp, J. T., and M. Herz. 1988. Wetland preservation and restoration: Changing federal priorities.Virginia Journal of Natural Resources Law 7:221–276.
UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). 1993. Methodological framework for the analysis of costs and benefits associated with environmental protection measures. OCA/PAC, Athens, 22 pp.
Westoby, M., B. Walker, and I. Noy-Meir. 1989. Range management on the basis of a model which does not seek to establish equilibrium.Journal of Arid Environment 17: 235–239.
Wyant, J. G. and C. M. Knapp. 1992. Alaska North Slope oilfield restoration research strategy (ANSORRS). EPA/600/R-92/022. Corvallis, Oregon.
Wyant, J. G., R. J. Alig and W. A. Bechtold. 1991. Physiographic position, disturbance, and species composition in North Carolina coastal plain forests.Forest Ecology and Management 41: 1–19.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wyant, J.G., Meganck, R.A. & Ham, S.H. A planning and decision-making framework for ecological restoration. Environmental Management 19, 789–796 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02471932
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02471932