1. Ecological Restoration
Chapter 10
Ecological Restoration

2. The Balance of Nature
An environmental myth that states that the natural environment, when not influenced by human activity, will reach a constant status, unchanging over time.
Environmentalists in early 20th cent. Formalized the idea
Succession proceeds to a fixed, “classic” condition called Climax Condition (steady state stage that can persist indefinitely, max. organic matter, max. storage of chemicals, max. biodiversity.

3. Restore to what !! Restore to original natural, permanent condition.
But…. What is this? This idea assumes that nature is constant.
Nature is NOT constant; it undergoes change
Some species require change to persist

4. What needs to be restored?
Wetlands, Rivers and Streams
(Ex: Kissimmee River)
Channelization of the river,
Prairie Restoration
(Ex: Allwine Prairie)
Agricultural conversion

5. The Process of Ecological Succession
The process of the development of an ecological community or ecosystem.
Two Types:
Primary Succession: The initial establishment and development of an ecosystem
(following volcanic activity or edges of glaciers)
Secondary Succession: The reestablishment of an ecosystem where there are remnants of a previous biological community
(following a natural disaster: hurricane, flooding, fire)

6. Patterns in Succession
An initial kind of vegetation specially adapted to the unstable conditions
Small plants and other early-successional species grow and seeds spread rapidly.
Larger plants and other late successional species enter and begin to dominate the site.
A mature forest develops.
(Succession is usually characterized as early (steps
1&2), middle and late.)
Examples of Succession:
Dune Succession, Bog Succession, Old-Field Succession

7. Bog Succession

9. Succession and Chemical Cycling
Biomass, production, diversity and chemical cycling change during succession
Biomass and diversity peak in mid-succession, increasing at first to a maximum, then declining and varying over time.

11. Species Change in Succession
Earlier and later species in succession may interact in three ways:
Facilitation
Interference
Life history differences
If they do not interact, the result is termed chronic patchiness

12. Facilitation
During succession, one species prepares the way for the next (and may even be necessary for the occurrence of the next)
Dune and bog succession

13. Interference
During succession, one species prevents the entrance of a later species into an ecosystem.
Ex) Some grasses produce dense and thick mats so the seeds of trees cannot reach the soil to germinate

15. Life History Difference
The difference in the life histories of the species allow some to arrive first and grow quickly, while others arrive late and grow more slowly
Ex) seed disbursal