Renaturation Ecology

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Renaturation ecology refers to the scientific discipline that deals with measures that aim to bring human-damaged ecosystems into a state similar to that which existed before they were disturbed by humans (so-called renaturation ). This applies to both natural ecosystems and the highly diverse systems of the cultural landscape . To this end, environmental and ecological methods are used.

history

Renaturation ecology is a relatively young scientific discipline that has developed differently nationally and internationally. In Central Europe, practical renaturation projects have been in the foreground since the late 1980s. This initially concerned the renaturation of river systems and moors , at the beginning of the 1990s ecological forest conversion became an important topic of renaturation ecology. At present, a further focus has arisen with the renaturation of severely disturbed landscapes, such as post-mining landscapes or military training areas.

View of the restoration ecology

Renaturation ecology is based on the hypothesis that damage to ecosystems can at least partially be remedied. An essential tool is an analysis of the influencing variables that can most severely inhibit the recovery process after a disturbance in order to have a targeted effect on these factors. To do this, it is necessary to know how succession works in relation to the specific ecosystem and the specific disturbance. If it turns out that a renaturalization of the habitat is not feasible due to the existing disturbance, the focus is on restoring the habitat as much as possible and getting specific ecological processes and functions to work. The guiding principle here is to achieve a condition that is of higher quality according to nature conservation criteria. Financial and temporal framework conditions must always be taken into account.

activities

Rough division of the measures

In terms of the measures used, a distinction is made between those aimed at restoration , restitution or rehabilitation . Restoration here means the return to the original, clearly defined historical state using technical means. Restitution involves the active restoration of an original condition using technical measures and means. Rehabilitation aims to restore specific biotope qualities, including certain biological processes, such as the re-meandering of a river.

Brief overview of the measures

The methods used range from the reintroduction of species through the renaturation of habitats to the establishment of complex communities in the context of functioning ecosystems. When renaturing lakes, the focus is often on measures to reduce nutrient input, re-stocking with native fish species and the establishment of typical plant species.

Classification of measures according to scope

Less elaborate measures include, for example, the establishment of plant species typical of the site or the use of grazing animals.

In the restoration of entire communities initially producing a favorable often abiotic starting situation necessary. This can mean a nutrient discharge or the creation of geomorphological conditions, such as B. Holes for waters. Building on this, plant species are often settled, which are selected in the context of the societies typical for the location. A maintenance management based on these measures is just as much part of the renaturation ecology as special protective measures, for example to prevent the colonization of invasive plants in nearby areas.

In particularly complex cases, the geomorphological structure must be restored before renaturation. In the context of the renaturation of sand ecosystems, this can e.g. B. the relocation of dykes mean as well as a relocation of nutrient-rich soil layers.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Thomas M. Smith, Robert L. Smith: Ökologie, Pearson Studium Verlag, pages 847-850, ISBN 978-3-8273-7313-7
  2. ^ Zerbe, Stefan; Wiegleb, Gerhard (Ed.): Renaturation of Ecosystems in Central Europe, 2009 Spectrum Academic Publishing House, page 2, ISBN 978-3-8274-1901-9