Mj. Samways, A conceptual model of ecosystem restoration triage based on experiences from three remote oceanic islands, BIODIVERS C, 9(8), 2000, pp. 1073-1083
A conceptual model, that illustrates restoration, ecological landscaping, r
ehabilitation and regreening, is developed. It considers biocentric, histor
ical, aesthetic and engineering aspects. The term ecosystem restoration tri
age is used because the first step is to decide whether to 'do nothing' (be
cause, on the one hand, the system is too degraded to warrant restoration,
or, on the other, because biological integrity is relatively intact and the
refore either none, or minimal, restoration is required) or to 'do somethin
g' (because restoration is worthwhile, urgent and feasible). This approach
hinges on the definition that restoration in the strictist sense is a bioce
ntric activity that returns the 'original' compositional, structural and fu
nctional diversity, along with its dynamics and natural evolutionary potent
ial. 'Original' is a difficult qualifier as it depends on just how far back
in time we go. Where human values are involved, this is not restoration in
the pure sense of restoring ecological integrity, but is ecological landsc
aping, rehabilitation or regreening. Experience from three remote oceanic i
slands [Easter Island, Cousine Island (Seychelles), Marion Island (Sub-Anta
rctic)] and which represent near extremes of this model are used to illustr
ate it.