what is “ecological restoration” - uw courses web...
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Restoration Ecology Capstone
UW BothellUW SeattleUW Tacoma
Welcome!
Restoration Capstone InstructorsWarren Gold UW Bothell
Jim Fridley UW Seattle
Kern Ewing UW Seattle
Rodney Pond UW Seattle
John Banks UW Tacoma
Restoration Capstone Students
UW Bothell: 7
UW Seattle: 22
UW Tacoma: 4
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What is“Ecological Restoration”
?
Ecological Restoration
Ecological restoration is the process of
assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that
has been degraded, damaged or destroyed.
Society for Ecological Restoration (2002)
Ecological Restoration
Introduction of native plant species into a
prepared (or unprepared) site with the goal of
fostering natural ecosystem processes and
returning the site to a more natural condition.
Kern Ewing
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Ecological Restoration
Ecological restoration is the process of assisting
the recovery of an ecosystem that has been
degraded, damaged or destroyed.
S i t f E l i l R t tiSociety for Ecological Restoration
Ecological RestorationEcological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed.
What is “recovered” ?
Stuff Historical conditions
Functions (Goods & Services)Course emphasis
Read CHAPTER 4 on Ecosystem Functions
(for week 3)
Ecosystem Functions• Nutrient cycling
• Soil formation
• Primary productivity / food
• Water quality
• Habitat
• Climate regulation
• Disturbance regulation
• Disease regulation
What kind of knowledge / expertise
does it take to do restoration?
Ecological restoration• is MULTIDISCIPLINARY
• involves application of principles from a variety of fields
Restoration Ecology Capstone Approach• Focus on recovery of ecological functions
• Appreciative project design
• Design decisions based on scientific evidence & principles
• Community-based projects• Intentional project management
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Spirit of the Restoration Ecology Capstone
Real-life ecological restoration project experience
• Multiple phases of a restoration project for a real “community partner”
• Applying the knowledge you’ve gained in academia (& beyond)
• Multidisciplinary, collaborative team-based experience
Can you articulate what you know to others in different disciplines?
• Integrative learning
What matters in college?“Essential learning outcomes”
• Knowledge of human cultures and the natural and physical world
• Intellectual & practical skills
College Learning for the New Global Century, AACU 2007
• Personal & social responsibility
• Integrative learning
What matters in college?“Essential learning outcomes”
• Integrative learning“Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general
and specialized studies”
College Learning for the New Global Century, AACU 2007
and specialized studies
- demonstrated through the application of knowledge, skills, and
responsibilities to new settings and complex problems
Engaging the Region:
The UW Restoration Ecology Network
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
Engaging UW students with communities across the region
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
Using natural sciences to restore damaged landscapes
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
Using social sciences to build community stewardship
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UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
November 2006
March 2007
May 2007
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
Private Schools: 2Evergreen School (Shoreline)Islandwood (Bainbridge Island)
Community Groups: 2
Capstone Project Community Partners 1999 - 2008
City Governments: 6City of Bothell (Thrashers Corner Pk)City of Redmond (Grasslawn Park)City of Shoreline (Saltwater Park)y p
Licton Springs Park Assoc (Seattle)Friends of Hylebos (Hylebos Cr)
City of Shoreline (Saltwater Park)City of Woodinville (Big Bear Creek)City of Kirkland (Cotton Hill Park)City of Seattle (8 Parks)
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
Higher Ed Institutions: 3UW (Union Bay Natural Area;
Arboretum)Tacoma Community CollegePierce College
Capstone Project Community Partners 1999 - 2008
County Governments: 2Snohomish County (Swamp Creek)King County (2 sites)
Tribal Governments: 1S l i N ti (C l C k) Pierce College
Private Individuals & Institutions: 4Landowners: Mercer Island, Carnation,
Snohomish, Port GambleEarth Sanctuary (Whidbey Island)
Snoqualmie Nation (Coal Creek)
Utilities / Public Institutions: 2Tacoma Power (Nisqually Gravel pit)Port of Seattle (Duwamish)
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
The REN Capstone Experience:Fall Quarter
Restoration Tools & Lessons
Classes & Labs Project Team Community Partner
Review Community Partner RFP Submit RFP
Site Analysis
Proposal
Proposal review & approval
Team meetings: problem solving
Functional req. & constraints
Site reviews
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
The REN Capstone Experience:Winter Quarter
Restoration Tools & Lessons
Classes & Labs Project TeamWork Plan
Site Preparation Work Plan review
Community Partner
Team meetings: problem solving
p
Project Implementation
Stewardship building & plan
Equipment , materials &
logistics support
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UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONRestoration Ecology Network
The REN Capstone Experience:Spring Quarter
Team meetings: problem solving
Classes & Labs Project TeamProject
Completion
Community Partner
Equipment , materials &
Stewardship building & plan Stewardship training
As-Built report
!! CELEBRATION !!
logistics support
Ecological RestorationEcological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed. SER (2002)
“The role of the practitioner is to i iti t t d l t ”reinitiate ecosystem development.”
Clewell & Aronson (2007)Restoration is not a singular event
Ecological RestorationEcological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed. SER (2002)
“An ecosystem has a developmental trajectory… This trajectory can be predicted into the futureThis trajectory can be predicted into the future… The accuracy of that prediction depends upon: the environment & random events” Clewell & Aronson
(2007)
Restoration as a process: trajectory & endpoint
Ecos
yste
m
Cha
ract
eris
tics
The “process of recovery”
Time“An ecosystem has a developmental trajectory… This trajectory can be predicted into the future… The accuracy of that prediction depends upon: the environment & random events”
Clewell & Aronson (2007)
Trajectory Endpoints: What is “recovery”?In a restoration there is maximum recovery of ecosystem
structure and functions
Bradshaw (1987)
Trajectory Endpoints:
How do we determine the desired endpoint ?
Reference models
Bradshaw (1987)
CHAPTER 5 !
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Ecological RestorationEcological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed.
Society for Ecological Restoration (2002)
“Once an ecosystem has undergone ecological
restoration, it should be self-organizing, self-, g g,
sustaining, and capable of maintaining itself …”Clewell & Aronson (2007)
Restoration ≠ landscaping project
Connecting principles to practice: ecological science & restoration
• Succession
• Diversity
• Holocoenotic environment
• Island biogeography
Ecological Concepts• Patch dynamics
• Non-equilibrium community dynamics
• Adaptation – Acclimation
• Life history strategiesy g
Background readings on these concepts available on electronic reserve
(linked to course web page under “Supplemental Materials”)
Succession
Gradual, directional change in species
composition or structure of a plant community
over timeBarbour et al (1999)Barbour et al. (1999)
Succession following abandonment of a farm field in North Carolina
Pioneer Stage
Climax StageSeral
Stages
Stage
FIRE
TIMESuccession following fire in a PNW Forest
Biological & Structural Diversity accumulate through time
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Com
mun
ity
Cha
ract
eris
tics
Multiple possible endpoints
Time
C
Com
mun
ity
Cha
ract
eris
tics
Multiple possible endpoints & trajectories
Time
C
Com
mun
ity
Cha
ract
eris
tics
Multiple possible endpoints & trajectories
Time
Endpoints & trajectories determined by• Autogenic factors (biota themselves)
• Allogenic factors (e.g., disturbance, invasives)
Succession – restoration implicationsGradual, directional change in species composition or structure of a plant community over time Barbour et al. (1999)
• Restoration initiates and directs this process
• Often not completely deterministic, though certain “assembly rules” frequently applyassembly rules frequently apply
• Design should consider autogenic & allogenic factors that may influence trajectory & endpoint of restoration
Diversity
Structural Diversity• Horizontal
• Vertical
Biological (species) Diversity• Richness
• Equitability
Topography
Environmental diversity
Consider key factors that underlay biodiversity
Biodiversity
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Topographic variation fosters diversity Ecological restoration created topography & environmental diversity at UWB
Mounds created with Woody Debris (logs)Varying
topographyPlant species
diversity Animal habitat
diversity
MOUND
PIT
Growing diversity based upon topography
Trees growing on mound
Water-filled pit
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Topography
Environmental diversity
Consider key factors that underlay biodiversity
Disturbance
Biodiversity
Bio
dive
rsity
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis
Disturbance (frequency, intensity)
Competitive exclusion
Environmental stress
Flooding disturbance & diversity
Elwha River
Biological disturbance & diversity
Topography
Environmental diversity
Consider key factors that underlay biodiversity
DisturbanceVegetation structure
Biodiversity
Forest VERTICAL structural complexity
Habitat diversity
Animal diversity
Vertical diversity in a forest
Kruckeberg (1991)
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Diversity – implications for restoration
• Diversity ≠ Good
Is diversity always desirable?
Good community ? Bad community ?
Diversity – implications for restoration
• Diversity ≠ Good
• IF biodiversity is important to your project
consider how you can modify the underlying
environmental factors that foster diversity
(e.g., topography, vegetation structure, disturbance)
The Holocoenotic Environment
1. Mulitple Factors• Abiotic• Biotic
2. Factor organism
RADIATION
Billings (1978)
Interactionorganism
WATER
ROCKS
SOIL
PLANTS
The Holocoentoic Environment
Fire
Competing shrubs
Air temperature
Soil moisture
Insect herbivores
Humidity
StormfrequencyInsect
pollinatorsSoil OM
Soil N
The Holocoentoic Environment
Implications for restoration?
• Changes you make can have complex implications
• Limitations on species can arise from many angles
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Restoration projects
Island Biogeography – Landscape Ecology
as functional islands
Island Biogeography – Landscape Ecology
• Rate of colonization of island depends on distance from reservoir
“Matrix”“Patch”
• Local extinction rates are higher for patches further from large reservoirs
• Local extinction rates are higher for smaller patches
Island Biogeography – restoration implications
• Smaller, isolated patches of restored ecosystems are much
“Matrix”“Patch”
less stable and require more maintenance (more prone to invasion by non-native species and loss of natives).
• Will the “build-it-and-they-will-come” approach work?
Island Biogeography – restoration implications
ood
Considerable
Site will recover on its own
Condition of the surrounding matrix is important
• Influences maintenance requirements & long-term success• Influences how aggressive the restoration approach is
Condition of Matrix
Like
lih
Natural Semi-natural Highly Modified
maintenance required after restoration
Long term success
Patches in the urban matrix
Patches can
occur WITHINWITHIN your site as well!
Patch dynamicsNon-equilibrium community dynamics
Plant communities are often better thought of as a mosaic of dynamic patches
rather than
Uniform, stable climax assemblages
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Patch dynamicsNon-equilibrium community dynamics
Traditional, equilibrium-based view
Patch dynamics view
Patch dynamicsNon-equilibrium community dynamics
Species composition at a site / patch is a function of
• Site availability (site conditions)
• Species availability (can they get there?)• Species availability (can they get there?)
• Species performance (can they handle it there?)
Patch dynamicsNon-equilibrium community dynamics
Restoration implications• Tempers the absoluteness of targets
Anticipate development of a mosaic rather than homogeneityAnticipate development of a mosaic rather than homogeneity
Allow for dynamic nature of real system
• Recognize the importance of species availability for recolonization in a patchy, long-term dynamic system
Adaptation – Acclimation
Environmental GradientDry Wet
Adaptation – genetic range of a species’ tolerance for environmental condition
Restoration ImplicationsRight plant – right place – right time
• Know your plant material (species, ecotype)
• Conditions of place are a moving target
• Plant assemblage is a moving target
Restoration Implications
Adaptation – Acclimation
Environmental GradientDry Wet
Restoration Implications
Acclimation – phenotypic adjustment to changing environmental conditions
Restoration ImplicationsFlexibility of plants to changing conditions
• Know your site – how important is acclimation ability?
Seasonal changes
Successional changes
Life History Strategies:Ruderal – Competitive – Stress Tolerant
entia
l uc
tivity H
igh
Competitive Ruderal
Disturbance
Pote
Prod
u
HighLow
Low Stress Tolerant
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R – C – S Life Histories: restoration implications
oten
tial P
rodu
ctiv
ity
Hig
hLo
w
Competitive
Stress Tolerant
RuderalConsider life history attributes that place species in these categories
Select species
Disturbance
Po HighLow Select species appropriate for mix of environmental conditions in SPACE & TIME
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