Post on 23-Jul-2020
transcript
Transdisciplinary approach to developing effective restoration measures
Þórunn Pétursdóttir
Soil Conservation Service of Iceland
Ecological Restoration
• Ecological restoration is an engaging and inclusive process. Restoration embraces the interrelationships between nature and culture, engages all sectors of society, and enables full and effective participation of indigenous, local and disenfranchised communities.
• Ecological restoration requires the integration of knowledge and practice. Science and other forms of knowledge are essential for designing, implementing and monitoring restoration projects and programs. At the same time, lessons learned from practical experiences are essential for determining and prioritizing the scientific needs of the field.
• Ecological restoration is policy-relevant and essential. Restoration is a critical tool for achieving biodiversity conservation, mitigating and adapting to climate change, enhancing ecosystem services, fostering sustainable socioeconomic development, and improving human health and well-being.
• Ecological restoration is practiced locally with global implications. Restoration takes place in all regions of the world, with local actions having regional and global benefits for nature and people.
“An intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of a (degraded) ecosystem with respect to its
functions, integrity and sustainability“ (ser.org)
Island Press Book Series on ecological restoration
A cross-disciplinary activity!
(ser.org)
Degraded ecosystems/Unsustainable SESs
impact
inputsinputsResto
ration
eco
logy
Social
coh
esion
Finan
cial su
pp
ort
outputs outputs
Ecological restoration
Evidence-based policies
impact impact
impact
Ecological outcome
Ecosystem
fu
nctio
ns
Ecosystem
stru
cture
Social outcome
Co
llabo
ration
/ tran
sparen
cy
Paradigm
shift
Economic outcome
Market valu
es
No
n-m
arket valu
es
Restored ecosystems/Sustainable SESs
Environmental
information
Societal
information
Economic
Social
Political
Biotic
Abiotic
Technic
EvaluationEvaluation
EGOLOGICAL RESTORATION AS PART OF RESILIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT
feedbackfeedback
Petursdottir et al. In manuscript
Inadequate Behavior
*R-R+R-
Ecology Society
UNSUSTAINABLE SYSTEM
Degradation
Intervention
R+
Ecology Society
R+
SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM
Disturbance
Restoration
Behavioral changes
Adaptive management
Disruption
R-R-R+
Based on: Holling 2001 and Carpenter et al. 2001*R = resilience/resistance
SES resilience – a conceptual model
(Petursdottir et al., in manuscript)
Source: Iceland Forest Service
An estimate of birch woodlands at the time of settlement (around 900 AD)
Source: Iceland Forest Service
The extent of birch woodlands in 1990
Ecosystem degradation
0 150 km
RESTORATION IN ICELAND 1907-2010
• Iceland: 103.000 km2
• 43.000 km2 <50% vegetation cover
– Roughly 80% of Icelandic ecosystems can be defined as rangelands – majority utilized for sheep grazing
RESTORED AREAS:
• Heathland/grassland: 2300 km2
• Woodland: 192 km2
• Wetland: 26 km2
Aradottir et al. 2013
“Drivers of Ecological Restoration: Lessons from a Century of Restoration in Iceland”
PRAGMATICUtilization based
IDEALISTICConservation based BUREOCRATIC
Policy based
Aradottir et al. 2013
Restoration project of a local primary school in the country side
2000-2005
Photos: Sigþrúður Jónsdóttir
Local landcare group operating in the common highlands in the South
Photo: Sigþrúður Jónsdóttir
2000
2005
Ássandur- ÞingeyjarsýsluPreviously collapsed ecosystem
Fertilized in 1963Birch and willow species re-colonizing
2004Photos: Sveinn Runólfsson
CASE STUDY -collapsed to restored
• Icelandic Hekla forest project– Since 2007
• Resilience-based – Capture pumish/ash
• Planting seed banks– Seed spread by wind dispersal
• Multiple benefits– Restoration– Afforestation, native species– Water storage– Protection/utilization– Recreation/aesthetic– Various stakeholders
Private property
Soil Conservation Service
SCS and Local authorities
Local authorities
Local authorities
Forestry
Grazed rangeland
Hekluskógar boundaries
Roads
Farms
Size of area under restoration: 900 km2 (1% of Iceland)
Sparsely vegetated / much sandflux / Lyme grass - 1a
Sparsely vegetated / little sandflux / grasses - 1b
Partly vegetated / fertilizer - 2a
Partly vegetated / tree planting - 2b
Old lupine reclamation / tree planting -3
Fully vegetated / tree planting - 4
Over 600 m a.s.l.
Grazed rangeland
Private property
Hekluskógar boundaries
Rivers and lakes
Roads
Farms
Conditions
Yes!
Þórsmörk
„Almenningar“ („Commons“)
Restoration activities
Since 1990
Plot 4Height: 264 mCover: 40 %Biomass: 84 kg/ha
Plot 4b
Height: Um 250 mCover: 100 %Biomass: 264 kg/ha
Plot 6
Height: 296 mCover: 40 %Biomass: 38 kg/ha
Plot 9Height: 425 mCover: 40 %Biomass: 57 kg/ha
„Hádegissker“ in Skógey area – a historical evidenceGuðmundur Ómar Friðleifsson
HoffellsjökullGlacial lake
Glacier retreating
Glacial outburst
Before 1980
Hornafjörðuraround 1980
Highly intensive managementlow ecological considerations –main purpose to protect the fishing village from drifting sand
2 years after intensive reclamation
Diverse vegetation
• Natural distribution of native species
• Birds
• Wetland formation
2004
The effects of grazing on willows
Protected
Grazed
ONGOING CONFLICT...
Þorlákshöfn
But – they used a restorationcompensation fund, established in relation to the construction of a geothermal power plant to install optical fibre cable to improve their internet connection...
Gunnarsholt´s stream
Gunnarsholt´s stream
For the group exersice:• What are the three main types of degradation in your country?• In accordance to the 4-level model of the EU, what is their level of
degradation?• What are the potentials for their restoration, in the social-ecological
context?
Several useful links:www.ser.org –http://chapter.ser.org/europe/ http://www.desire-project.eu/ http://www.recare-project.eu/ http://desertrestorationhub.com/http://www.globalrestorationnetwork.org/IUCN (the Ecosystem Approach)