Science Practice Ecological Restoration

Land abandonment is increasing as human influence on the globe intensifies and various ecological, social, and economic factors conspire to force the cessation of agriculture and other forms of land management. The "old fields" that result from abandonment have been the subject of much study, yet few attempts have been made to examine the larger questions raised by old field dynamics. Old Fields brings together leading experts from around the world to synthesize past and current work on old fields, providing an up-to-date perspective on the ecological dynamics of abandoned land. The book gives readers a broad understanding of why agricultural land is abandoned, the factors that determine the ecological recovery of old fields, and how this understanding contributes to theoretical and applied ecology. Twelve case studies from diverse geographical and climatic areas-including Australian rainforest, Brazilian Amazonia, New Jersey piedmont, and South African renosterveld-offer a global perspective on the causes and results of land abandonment. Concluding chapters consider the similarities and differences among the case studies, examine them in the context of ecological concepts, and discuss their relevance to the growing field of restoration ecology. Old Fields is the first book to draw together studies on old fields from both a theoretical and practical perspective. It represents an important contribution to the development of theory on old field dynamics and the practice of ecological restoration on abandoned farmland, and the broader implications of old field dynamics to ecology and restoration. "Conservation of plant communities often boils down to managing succession. Nowhere is this more obviously true than in old fields. This book powerfully illustrates the great variety of patterns and processes that take place in abandoned agricultural land around the globe. It is an invaluable guide to how nature beats ploughshares into swards."---Jonathan Silvertown, author of Demons in Eden: The Paradox of Plant Diversity "The lessons to be learned from the study of old field succession are important for both ecology in general and restoration ecology in particular. This volume presents a sound conceptual framework with discussion of the socioeconomic causes of land abandonment skillfully interwoven with case histories from around the globe. It is an invaluable addition to the SER series, and important for researchers, students, and practitioners. I recommend it without reservation."---Jim Harris, Professor, Department of Natural Resources, Cranfield University, UK "Agriculturally transformed land is being abandoned as economics and lifestyles change globally, and in all sorts of ecosystems. In Old Fields, the editors use cases from around the world to compare theoretical models of old field vegetation change with reality, challenging us to know when benign neglect or active restoration will maximize the ecological or socioeconomic values of old field ecosystems."---Suzanne J. Milton, Professor, Department of Conservation Ecology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

As scientific understanding about ecological processes has grown, the idea that ecosystem dynamics are complex, nonlinear, and often unpredictable has gained prominence. Of particular importance is the idea that rather than following an inevitable progression toward an ultimate endpoint, some ecosystems may occur in a number of states depending on past and present ecological conditions. The emerging idea of "restoration thresholds" also enables scientists to recognize when ecological systems are likely to recover on their own and when active restoration efforts are needed. Conceptual models based on alternative stable states and restoration thresholds can help inform restoration efforts. New Models for Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration brings together leading experts from around the world to explore how conceptual models of ecosystem dynamics can be applied to the recovery of degraded systems and how recent advances in our understanding of ecosystem and landscape dynamics can be translated into conceptual and practical frameworks for restoration. In the first part of the book, background chapters present and discuss the basic concepts and models and explore the implications of new scientific research on restoration practice. The second part considers the dynamics and restoration of different ecosystems, ranging from arid lands to grasslands, woodlands, and savannahs, to forests and wetlands, to production landscapes. A summary chapter by the editors discusses the implications of theory and practice of the ideas described in preceding chapters. New Models for Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration aims to widen the scope and increase the application of threshold models by critiquing their application in a wide range of ecosystem types. It will also help scientists and restorationists correctly diagnose ecosystem damage, identify restoration thresholds, and develop corrective methodologies that can overcome such thresholds. "This is a very thorough, extensively researched, and well-written book, whose scope is not hindered by the abundance of case studies from Australian systems." "Technically-written...yet not overly technical considering the subject matter...several authors went to length to relate theory to practical restoration issues and problems. Details of case studies were relatable and complicated theoretical concepts were explained with top-notch flow charts, diagrams, and figures rather than esoteric mathematics...a lot of useful information."

Wildlife Restoration links restoration ecology and wildlife management in an accessible and comprehensive guide to restoring wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend. It offers readers a thorough overview of the types of information needed in planning a wildlife-habitat restoration project and provides the basic tools necessary for developing and implementing a rigorous monitoring program. The book: • explains the concepts of habitat and niche: their historic development, components, spatial-temporal relationships, and role in land management • reviews how wildlife populations are identified and counted • considers captive breeding, reintroduction, and translocation of animals • discusses how wildlife and their habitat needs can be incorporated into restoration planning • develops a solid justification for monitoring and good sampling design in restoration projects • discusses and critiques case histories of wildlife analysis in restoration projects The author does not offer a "cookbook" approach, but rather provides basic tools for understanding ecological concepts that can be used to design restoration projects with specific goals for wildlife. He focuses on developing an integrated approach to large-scale landscape restoration. In addition, he provides guidance on where more advanced and detailed literature can be found. Wildlife Restoration sets forth a clear explanation of key principles of wildlife biology for the restorationist, and will allow wildlife biologists to bring the insights of their field to restoration projects. It is an essential source of information for everyone involved with studying, implementing, or managing wildlife restoration projects, including students, ecologists, administrators, government agency staff, and volunteer practitioners.

Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land is the first practical guidebook to give restorationists and would-be restorationists with little or no scientific training or background the "how to" information and knowledge they need to plan and implement ecological restoration activities. The book sets forth a step-by-step process for developing, implementing, monitoring, and refining on-the-ground restoration projects that is applicable to a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems. The first part of the book introduces the process of ecological restoration in simple, easily understood language through specific examples drawn from the authors' experience restoring their own lands in southern and central Wisconsin. It offers systematic, step-by-step strategies along with inspiration and benchmark experiences. The book's second half shows how that same "thinking" and "doing" can be applied to North America's major ecosystems and landscapes in any condition or scale. No other ecological restoration book leads by example and first-hand experience likethis one. The authors encourage readers to champion restoration of ecosystems close to where they live . . . at home, on farms and ranches, in parks and preserves. It provides an essential bridge for people from all walks of life and all levels of experience-from land trust member property stewards to agency personnel responsible for restoring lands in their care-and represents a unique and important contribution to the literature on restoration. "This manual celebrates human connectedness to the natural world. By putting the sciences and the arts together to restore land and bring it back to health, Steve and Alan guide us to manage the land and then to understand and love the land."---Nina Leopold Bradley "Infused with land ethic and solid ecology, this volume spells out a compelling process for restoration, from initial concept to planning, implementation, and long-term management. Everyone interested in the practice of restoration, professionals included, will appreciate the holistic vision of restoration and its societal role espoused in this book-length essay."---John Shuey, Director of Conservation Science, Indiana Office of The Nature Conservancy "Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land provides critical insights into the real work of healing ecological functions of degraded landscapes. The authors are visionary practitioners who have amassed a wealth of hands-on experiences validated by long-term ecological monitoring. This book will assist private land owners, public land managers, and land conservancy stewards to design and execute restoration activities yielding ecologically significant results."---Peter R. Stein, Managing Director, The Lyme Timber Company "This down-to-earth book gives land owners the confidence and courage to initiate their own ecological restoration programs. The reader should be warned that Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land could easily inspire you to embark on a lifelong, learn-as-you-go adventure on your own land that's guaranteed to keep your brow sweaty, your knuckles dirty, and your spirit soaring."---Andre Clewell, President Emeritus, Society for Ecological Restoration International "Ecological recovery are what many places need to recover their natural beauty. Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land is a guide to restoring ecological areas where urbanization has caused environmental decay. With chapters discussing many types of areas from plains to forests, and step by step plans to tracking progress, Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land proves to be a powerful reference and guide, highly recommended to any in charge of overseeing such projects for its comprehensive collection of tips and advice." "Landscape architects, who increasingly get a significant percentage of business from restoration, will find this thorough, replicable process valuable, whatever their experience level. Professionals will benef

Many coastal tidal marshes have been significantly degraded by roadways and other projects that restrict tidal flows, limiting their ability to provide vital ecosystem services including support of fish and wildlife populations, flood protection, water quality maintenance, and open space. Tidal Marsh Restoration provides the scientific foundation and practical guidance necessary for coastal zone stewards to initiate salt marsh tidal restoration programs. The book compiles, synthesizes, and interprets the current state of knowledge on the science and practice of salt marsh restoration, bringing together leaders across a range of disciplines in the sciences (hydrology, soils, vegetation, zoology), engineering (hydraulics, modeling), and public policy, with coastal managers who offer an abundance of practical insight and guidance on the development of programs. The work presents in-depth information from New England and Atlantic Canada, where the practice of restoring tidal flow to salt marshes has been ongoing for decades, and shows how that experience can inform restoration efforts around the world. Students and researchers involved in restoration science will find the technical syntheses, presentation of new concepts, and identification of research needs to be especially useful as they formulate research and monitoring questions, and interpret research findings. Tidal Marsh Restoration is an essential work for managers, planners, regulators, environmental and engineering consultants, and others engaged in planning, designing, and implementing projects or programs aimed at restoring tidal flow to tide-restricted or diked salt marshes. "Tidal Marsh Restoration fills a need in providing practical and scientific insight to restoration planning." "The volume is an outstanding summary of what we have learned about salt marsh restoration in New England and the Maritimes..." "a useful synthesis of regional restoration issues that will add to the growing list of handbooks and reviews of tidal marsh restoration from around the country." "Tidal Marsh Restoration is good piece of work and a compliment to any professional library." "Editors/coastal ecologists Roman and Burdick, along with numerous contributors, provide chapters covering the basics of tidal marsh restoration, techniques used in restoration, and many case studies of projects." "Tidal Marsh Restoration: A Synthesis of Science and Management explores the advances in the attempts to restore damaged salt marshes that have been reduced in number through human excesses. ... Many writers come together to give a scholarly review on these elements on how they have succeeded and failed throughout the world. With a great amount of information, charts, and graphs spread throughout, Tidal Marsh Restoration is a scholarly take on this international project, highly recommended." "If you are interested in coastal wetlands and their restoration, especially in New England, this book is an essential addition to your library. It is comprehensive, nicely organized, and the chapters are based on up-to-date compilations of the literature as well as a wealth of knowledge based on teh practical experiences of well-chosen authors."---Dennis F. Whigham, Senior Botanist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center "In their foreword to Tidal Marsh Restoration, Hood and Simenstad observe that restoration scientists and managers are physicians for dysfunctional ecosystems. To make the analogy more specific, Roman and Burdick's book is a bible for 'ecosystem cardiologists': If the circulatory system of the salt marsh is not functioning, then nothing else matters. This is a must-read book for those interested in wetlands 'vascularization' and its consequences."---Jack Gallagher, Professor Emeritus, Halophyte Solutions Laboratory, University of Delaware

The Historical Ecology Handbook makes essential connections between past and future ecosystems, bringing together leading experts to offer a much-needed introduction to the field of historical ecology and its practical application by on-the-ground restorationists. Chapters present individual techniques focusing on both culturally derived evidence and biological records, with each chapter offering essential background, tools, and resources needed for using the technique in a restoration effort. The book ends with four in-depth case studies that demonstrate how various combinations of techniques have been used in restoration projects. The Historical Ecology Handbook is a unique and groundbreaking guide to determining historic reference conditions of a landscape. It offers an invaluable compendium of tools and techniques, and will be essential reading for anyone working in the field of ecological restoration.

How can environmental degradation be stopped? How can it be reversed? And how can the damage already done be repaired? The authors of this volume argue that a two-pronged approach is needed: reducing demand for ecosystem goods and services and better management of them, coupled with an increase in supply through environmental restoration. Restoring Natural Capital brings together economists and ecologists, theoreticians, practitioners, policy makers, and scientists from the developed and developing worlds to consider the costs and benefits of repairing ecosystem goods and services in natural and socioecological systems. It examines the business and practice of restoring natural capital, and seeks to establish common ground between economists and ecologists with respect to the restoration of degraded ecosystems and landscapes and the still broader task of restoring natural capital. The book focuses on developing strategies that can achieve the best outcomes in the shortest amount of time as it: • considers conceptual and theoretical issues from both an economic and ecological perspective • examines specific strategies to foster the restoration of natural capital and offers a synthesis and a vision of the way forward Nineteen case studies from around the world illustrate challenges and achievements in setting targets, refining approaches to finding and implementing restoration projects, and using restoration of natural capital as an economic opportunity. Throughout, contributors make the case that the restoration of natural capital requires close collaboration among scientists from across disciplines as well as local people, and when successfully executed represents a practical, realistic, and essential tool for achieving lasting sustainable development. "The editors contend that 'ecological restoration must be practiced as if people matter' ... Summing Up: Recommended." "This book reviews related theoretical issues, case studies from around the world and specific strategies to increase the restoration of natural capital." "In a time when humanity is in ecological overshoot, steady-state economics is no longer sufficient. Moving beyond a state of overshoot, however, requires that we learn how to restore natural capital. Hence I warmly welcome this volume. It provides not only road maps and tools, but also a pragmatic approach: rather than merely lamenting about the state of the biosphere, it shows that we can, and need to, make a difference."---Mathis Wackernagel, Executive Director, Global Footprint Network "Economic logic says we should invest in the limiting factor. In yesterday's empty world that meant investing in human-made capital; in today's full world it means investing in natural capital. Fallowing is the traditional way to invest in natural capital. To discover modern analogs to fallowing, read this important book."---Herman E. Daly, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland "This book is our first road map beyond the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. It teaches us how to repair our wounded planet, ensuring that nature's services vital to human and ecosystem survival are restored before we reach critical thresholds. The authors weave a closely intertwined series of arguments and cases to show how economic values can only be maintained if we protect and restore the natural environment."---Peter H. May, President-elect, International Society for Ecological Economics "The book should be of interest to all those who are concerned with not merely understanding the intellectual challenges of ecological restoration, but also with how to implement it in the field. Ecologists sensing they might need a new set of perspectives and tools to do this will find this an instructive and useful book."

Faced with widespread and devastating loss of biodiversity in wild habitats, scientists have developed innovative strategies for studying and protecting targeted plant and animal species in "off-site" facilities such as botanic gardens and zoos. Such ex situ work is an increasingly important component of conservation and restoration efforts. Ex Situ Plant Conservation, edited by Edward O. Guerrant Jr., Kayri Havens, and Mike Maunder, is the first book to address integrated plant conservation strategies and to examine the scientific, technical, and strategic bases of the ex situ approach. The book examines where and how ex situ investment can best support in situ conservation. Ex Situ Plant Conservation outlines the role, value, and limits of ex situ conservation as well as updating best management practices for the field, and is an invaluable resource for plant conservation practitioners at botanic gardens, zoos, and other conservation organizations; students and faculty in conservation biology and related fields; managers of protected areas and other public and private lands; and policymakers and members of the international community concerned with species conservation. "This volume adds much needed detail and guidance to the field of plant conservation and restoration."---Tracey Etwell, Natural Areas Journal

Thirty years ago, the best thinking on urban stream management prescribed cement as the solution to flooding and other problems of people and flowing water forced into close proximity. Urban streams were perceived as little more than flood control devices designed to hurry water through cities and neighborhoods with scant thought for aesthetics or ecological considerations. Stream restoration pioneers like hydrologist Ann Riley thought differently. She and other like-minded field scientists imagined that by restoring ecological function, and with careful management, streams and rivers could be a net benefit to cities, instead of a net liability. In the intervening decades, she has spearheaded numerous urban stream restoration projects and put to rest the long-held misconception that degraded urban streams are beyond help. What has been missing, however, is detailed guidance for restoration practitioners wanting to undertake similar urban stream restoration projects that worked with, rather than against, nature. This book presents the author's thirty years of practical experience managing long-term stream and river restoration projects in heavily degraded urban environments. Riley provides a level of detail only a hands-on design practitioner would know, including insights on project design, institutional and social context of successful projects, and how to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes. Early chapters clarify terminology and review strategies and techniques from historical schools of restoration thinking. But the heart of the book comprises the chapters containing nine case studies of long-term stream restoration projects in northern California. Although the stories are local, the principles, methods, and tools are universal, and can be applied in almost any city in the world. "an honest, proficient and hopeful evaluation of the practice of urban stream restoration...anyone with an interest in the field of ecological restoration...will benefit from reading Dr. Riley's book and embracing her wisdom." ""When Riley entered the field, some called restoration a pipe dream: the waterways were too degraded, the political and economic constraints too great. She and the rest of the local restoration community have proven otherwise. The streams in this book have become neighborhood treasures, with improved water quality and flood safety." " "Exceptionally well written ,organized and presented, Restoring Neighborhood Streams is as informed and informative as it is thoughtful and practical in concept and application." "Anyone who cares about creeks and beavers should go buy a copy right now. It will pay for itself many times over."

The practice of ecological restoration, firmly grounded in the science of restoration ecology, provides governments, organizations, and landowners a means to halt degradation and restore function and resilience to ecosystems stressed by climate change and other pressures on the natural world. Foundational theory is a critical component of the underlying science, providing valuable insights into restoring ecological systems effectively and understanding why some efforts to restore systems can fail. In turn, on-the-ground restoration projects can help to guide and refine theory, advancing the field and providing new ideas and innovations for practical application. This new edition of Foundations of Restoration Ecology provides the latest emerging theories and ideas in the science of restoration ecology. Fully one-third longer than the first edition and comprehensive in scope, it has been dramatically updated to reflect new research. Included are new sections devoted to concepts critical to all restoration projects as well as restoration of specific ecosystem processes, including hydrology, nutrient dynamics, and carbon. Also new to this edition are case studies that describe real-life restoration scenarios in North and South America, Europe, and Australia. They highlight supporting theory for restoration application and other details important for assessing the degree of success of restoration projects in a variety of contexts. Lists at the end of each chapter summarize new theory introduced in that chapter and its practical application. Written by acclaimed researchers in the field, this book provides practitioners as well as graduate and undergraduate students with a solid grounding in the newest advances in ecological science and theory.

Dryland degradation and desertification now affect almost a billion people around the world. Tragically, the biological resources and productivity of millions of acres of land are lost to desertification each year because people remain unaware of strategies and techniques that could improve yields, reduce risk, and begin healing the world's deserts. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration is the first book to offer practical, field-tested solutions to this critical problem. Author David Bainbridge has spent more than 25 years actively involved in restoring lands across the American Southwest. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration presents the results of his years of fieldwork, as well as research and experience from scientists and practitioners around the globe. The book discusses the ecology of desert plants, explores the causes of desertification and land abuse, and outlines the processes and procedures needed to evaluate, plan, implement, and monitor desert restoration projects. It sets forth economical and practical field-tested solutions for understanding site characteristics, selecting and growing plants, and ensuring that they survive with a minimal amount of water and care. Each chapter represents a guide to a critical topic for environmental restoration; extensive photographs, diagrams and drawings give detailed information for immediate application, and additional resources are included in appendixes. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration is the first comprehensive book focused on restoring arid regions, and clearly demonstrates that arid lands can be successfully rehabilitated. In addition to restorationists, the book will be an invaluable resource for anyone working in arid lands, including farmers, ranchers, gardeners, landscapers, outdoor recreation professionals, and activists. "This valuable reference will be useful for soil scientists, ecologists, biologists, conservationists, and two- and four-year college and university academicians involved with teaching and research on this topic." "David Bainbridge presents a realistic view of the ecological challenges to healing the world's deserts and drylands. Moreover, he offers innovative approaches to desert protection and restoration that can be practically implemented by those in the field."---Yvon Chouinard, founder and chief executive officer, Patagonia "A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration belongs in every manager's toolbox and on the shelf of every researcher seeking to improve our understanding of desert ecosystems and new approaches to managing them. The author's passion and expertise show in this outstanding summary of knowledge from his experiences, published research, and the craft of farmers and herders through the millennia."---Michael F. Allen, director, Center for Conservation Biology "Within these pages one finds a comprehensive overview of the myriad challenges inherent in arid lands restoration, and also practical approaches, field tested by decades of trial and error, to successfully restore these globally important lands. David Bainbridge has provided an important and informative guide to restoration of fragile desert ecosystems."---Robert MacAller, principal, restoration biologist, RECON Environmental "Bainbridge brings the desert to life and richly illustrates practical, proven techniques from around the world for healing damaged drylands. This book should find its way into classrooms where principles of applied ecology and ecosystem restoration are taught."---Ross A. Virginia, Professor of environmental studies, Dartmouth College "This book provides an all-in-one handbook for restoration ecologists, farmers, ranchers, and others ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work restoring degraded drylands, whether in temperate or tropical environments. It synthesizes practical lessons for restoring ecosystem functions in a dryland landscape, drawing upon diverse methods from time-tested indigenous knowledge to cutting-

Restoration plans must take into account the needs of current or desired wildlife species in project areas. Restoring Wildlife gives ecologists, restorationists, administrators, and other professionals involved with restoration projects the tools they need to understand essential ecological concepts, helping them to design restoration projects that can improve conditions for native species of wildlife. It also offers specific guidance and examples on how various projects have been designed and implemented. The book interweaves theoretical and practical aspects of wildlife biology that are directly applicable to the restoration and conservation of animals. It provides an understanding of the fundamentals of wildlife populations and wildlife-habitat relationships as it explores the concept of habitat, its historic development, components, spatialtemporal relationships, and role in land management. It applies these concepts in developing practical tools for professionals. Restoring Wildlife builds on the foundation of material presented in Wildlife Restoration, published by Island Press in 2002, offering the basic information from that book along with much updated material in a reorganized and expanded format. Restoring Wildlife is the only single source that deals with wildlife and restoration, and is an important resource for practicing restorationists and biologists as well as undergraduate and graduate students in wildlife management, ecological restoration, environmental science, and related fields. "Michael Morrison does well in presenting a highly thorough text. Restoring Wildlife is a fine addition to any library environmental collection." "Michael Morrison has done a masterful job of integrating theory from ecology and conservation biology into the practice of wildlife restoration. He provides a strong case for a rigourous scientific approach, and the four well-developed case histories illustrate how this approach works. The book is written so that practitioners without advanced training in wildlife biology can understand it easily."---Peter F. Brussard, past president, Society for Conservation Biology "Restoring Wildlife is a synthesis of the growing field of restoration ecology that explains the process of wildlife restoration in an engaging format. Detailed yet straightforward and supplemented with real-world studies, this book will be an excellent reference for students and practitoners that will help them to think carefully about the restoration process. Morrison's text wonderfully complements the existing literature on maintaining and enhancing wildlife populations and the habitats they depend on."---Paul R. Krausman, Boone and Crockett Professor of Wildlife Conservation, University of Montana "Restoring Wildlife would be a good book to keep on hand if you need a running glossary of terms concerning wildlife restoration . . . . Overall, I found the book to be a good listing of key topics in wildlife restoration, perhaps useful as a reference if you had to look up something while planning a restoration project or perhaps settling a friendly argument. I found the definitions and the glossary useful and the breadth of treatment, with a few exceptions, helpful...As a textbook or reference, NAA members might like to find this on their shelf." "Restoring Wildlife is an excellent source for planning, effecting, and monitoring wildlife restoration projects; wildlife managers involved in restoration would do well to include this book in their personal libraries."

When it comes to implementing successful ecological restoration projects, the social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions are often as important as-and sometimes more important than-technical or biophysical knowledge. Human Dimensions of Ecological Restoration takes an interdisciplinary look at the myriad human aspects of ecological restoration. In twenty-six chapters written by experts from around the world, it provides practical and theoretical information, analysis, models, and guidelines for optimizing human involvement in restoration projects. Six categories of social activities are examined: • collaboration between land manager and stakeholders • ecological economics • volunteerism and community-based restoration • environmental education • ecocultural and artistic practices • policy and politics For each category, the book offers an introductory theoretical chapter followed by multiple case studies, each of which focuses on a particular aspect of the category and provides a perspective from within a unique social/political/cultural setting. Human Dimensions of Ecological Restoration delves into the often-neglected aspects of ecological restoration that ultimately make the difference between projects that are successfully executed and maintained with the support of informed, engaged citizens, and those that are unable to advance past the conceptual stage due to misunderstandings or apathy. The lessons contained will be valuable to restoration veterans and greenhorns alike, scholars and students in a range of fields, and individuals who care about restoring their local lands and waters. "This was my introduction to ecological restoration and I was genuinely impressed by the number of disciplines, ways of thinking, and approaches that were integrated into one book." "...the editors have compiled a useful selection of papers that help readers appreciate what human dimensions are and how they might figure into an ecological restoration project. They also help readers appreciate that human dimensions might range from the relatively simple to the very complex." "This book is most appropriate for practitioners collecting the tools they will need to build resilience in social-ecological systems....Educators too can use the case studies to inform and inspire students outside the traditional classroom." "[T]he first book of its kind to provide a comprehensive overview of the ways in which people intersect with and ultimately determine the success of those efforts." "Egan, Hjerpe, and Abrams offer the most comprehensive treatment of the human dimensions of ecological restoration to date. From the sychological, social, and cultural aspects of restoration to political, economic, and educational issues, its chapters describe successful restoration in a world dominated by humans. This book will contribute to theory and application and belongs on the bookshelf of scholars, students, and practitioners alike."---Paul H. Gobster, Research Social Scientist, US Forest Service "By placing humans in nature at the center of restoration and focusing on the themes of participation, power, and perspective, Human Dimensions of Ecological Restoration provides a valuable contribution to furthering the restoration of our planet. This book offers useful insights for a broad range of professionals, including land managers, restoration practitioners, and nongovernmental organizations. Anyone teaching ecological restoration will find this work a valuable classroom reference."---Peter J. Daugherty, Acting Private Forest Divisions Chief, Oregon Department of Forestry "Egan and his coeditors provide the first comprehensive attempt to apply social science concepts and analyses to the challenges of ecological restoration and to illustrate them with practical, illuminating case studies. Their multiperspectival approach-value-laden, context-driven, complex, and demanding attention to the interaction of classic social forc

The Pacific Northwest is a global ecological "hotspot" because of its relatively healthy native ecosystems, a high degree of biodiversity, and the number and scope of restoration initiatives that have been undertaken there. Restoring the Pacific Northwest gathers and presents the best examples of state-of-the-art restoration techniques and projects. It is an encyclopedic overview that will be an invaluable reference not just for restorationists and students working in the Pacific Northwest, but for practitioners across North America and around the world. "This work summarizes scientific research and presents case studies of applications of ecological restoration in the Pacific Northwest, composed for the purposes of this work of all of the watersheds that flow to the Pacific Ocean through North America's temperate rainforest zone." "This courageous and ambitious work makes us recognize that restoration should no longer be seen as many small, piecemeal attempts at site restoration, but as a massive and coordinated movement to revive and strengthen the networks of natural capital and landscape that sustain our cultures, communities, and economies. The multiple authors are to be commended for pulling together in one place such a comprehensive, deep, and ultimately practical guide to what can and should be done to restore a whole region."---Stephen R. J. Sheppard, Director of Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning, University of British Columbia, Vancouver "Interest in environmental restoration has exploded in the Pacific Northwest in the last decade. Legions of volunteers and professionals, biologists and planners have been getting their hands dirty, combining science with practice to learn what really works. Restoring the Pacific Northwest is the inspirational, practical, essential reference we all have been waiting for."---Sara Vickerman, senior director of biodiversity partnerships, Defenders of Wildlife "Showcasing nine seminal habitat types and illustrating six distinct restoration approaches through more than three dozen case studies, Dean Apostol and Marcia Sinclair have assembled a tour de force, state-of-ecosystem-restoration practice in the Pacific Northwest. All who care about the world our grandchildren inherit owe the authors a heartfelt thanks."---David W. Hulse, Philip H. Knight Professor in Landscape Architecture, University of Oregon

Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land was the first practical guidebook to give restorationists and would-be restorationists with little or no scientific background the "how to" information and knowledge they need to plan and implement ecological restoration activities. The book sets forth a step-by-step process for developing, implementing, monitoring, and refining on-the-ground restoration projects that is applicable to a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems. This companion workbook describes more fully the planning tools and techniques outlined in the book and offers a wealth of specific resources, including worksheets and spreadsheets to help you determine what equipment and plant materials you need, create project schedules, monitor results, and estimate costs. Online versions of the forms are available, making it even easier for you to incorporate them into your own projects. In addition, the authors and their network of professional advisers are offering free consulting sessions of up to one hour to purchasers of the book, giving you expert knowledge and experience that can help make your project a success. Both books make the process of restoration accessible to everyone, from professional land managers to volunteer stewards. The tools offered will help you collect and process the information you need to make good decisions about your projects and are an invaluable resource for anyone thinking about or working on a hands-on restoration project. "I highly recommend this unique workbook to anyone working to restore ecological health to their land. With this workbook in hand, you hold two steady, experienced guides who will be with you through every step of transforming your land. The authors give clear step-by-step directions, share pitfalls to avoid, and provide worksheets for everything from getting to know your land to budgeting and monitoring. Don't miss the fabulous online resources that accompany this volume at www.restoringourland.com."---Lisa Brush, Executive Director, The Stewardship Network "Rebuilding an ecosystem is complex. Where do you even begin? Apfelbaum and Haney provide you with a practical and proven guide. From unraveling past history and ecology to planning and implementation, this book-using real-world examples-covers all the essentials for making your vision of restored land health a reality."---Scott Nielsen, University of Alberta

Established by the USDA Forest Service in 1993, the Great Basin Ecosystem Management Project for Restoring and Maintaining Sustainable Riparian Ecosystems is a large-scale research study that uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine the effects of climate change and human disturbance on riparian areas. Structured as a collaborative effort between management and research, the project focuses on understanding the geomorphic, hydrologic, and biotic processes that underlie riparian structure and function and the interrelated responses of those processes to disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic. Great Basin Riparian Ecosystems, edited by Jeanne C. Chambers and Jerry R. Miller, presents the approach used by the researchers to study and understand riparian areas in the Great Basin region. It summarizes the current state of knowledge about those areas and provides insights into the use of the information generated by the project for the restor-ation and management of riparian ecosystems. Because semi-arid ecosystems like the Great Basin are highly sensitive to climate change, the study considered how key processes are affected by past and present climate. Great Basin Riparian Ecosystems also examines the processes over a continuum of temporal and spatial scales. Great Basin Riparian Ecosystems addresses restoration over a variety of scales and integrates work from multiple disciplines, including riparian ecology, paleoecology, geomorphology, and hydrology. While the focus is on the Great Basin, the general approach is widely applicable, as it describes a promising new strategy for developing restoration and management plans, one based on sound principles derived from attention to natural systems.

Understanding how ecosystems are assembled -- how the species that make up a particular biological community arrive in an area, survive, and interact with other species -- is key to successfully restoring degraded ecosystems. Yet little attention has been paid to the idea of assembly rules in ecological restoration, in both the scientific literature and in on-the-ground restoration efforts. Assembly Rules and Restoration Ecology, edited by Vicky M. Temperton, Richard J. Hobbs, Tim Nuttle, and Stefan Halle, addresses that shortcoming, offering an introduction, overview, and synthesis of the potential role of assembly rules theory in restoration ecology. It brings together information and ideas relating to ecosystem assembly in a restoration context, and includes material from a wide geographic range and a variety of perspectives. Assembly Rules and Restoration Ecology contributes new knowledge and ideas to the subjects of assembly rules and restoration ecology and represents an important summary of the current status of an emerging field. It combines theoretical and practical aspects of restoration, making it a vital compendium of information and ideas for restoration ecologists, professionals, and practitioners.

Robert J. Cabin uses the restoration of tropical dry forestland in Hawaii as an in-depth case study to investigate the scientific, practical, and philosophical issues associated with performing ecological restoration in the messy real world. Interweaving entertaining narratives of his own on-the-ground experiences as a practicing restorationist with reflections about his scientific training and background, Cabin explores the relationship between science and practice in ecological restoration. He observes that because restoration can be complex and value-driven, its implementation often turns out to be as much interdisciplinary art as hard science. Despite the often distinct cultures and methodologies of scientists and practitioners, Cabin shows how each has a vital role in effective restoration and offers suggestions for improving working relationships. One approach he advocates is what he calls "intelligent tinkering," after the work of Aldo Leopold. In this model, practitioners employ the same kind of careful but informal trial-and-error strategy followed by such groups as indigenous peoples and hobbyist mechanics. Cabin illustrates the power of intelligent tinkering using examples from his own work and other restoration projects. The gap between science and practice is not unique to ecological restoration; it is a widespread problem across all fields of applied science. Written in a clear and engaging style, Intelligent Tinkering offers an insightful look at the underlying causes of the problem, along with invaluable suggestions for addressing it. "I found this book an informative, interesting, and useful introduction to restoration work in Hawaii and beyond. In fact, it is an excellent and easy read for students and served as a valuable resource in my own graduate course." "This book will set the tone for ecological restoration for years to come.. a compelling personal account by Bob Cabin, who has serious credentials as a scientist and practitioner. Filled with imagery and insight, the book has the flair of a best-selling novel." "...should be required reading for any undergraduate embarking on a career in ecology, and perhaps for anyone interested in carrying out scientific experiments, whatever the discipline." "I found this book to be engaging, honest, and valuable. I recommend it." "This excellent book ends on a suitably positive note by giving three examples of successful restoration projects in Hawai'i that have adopted the flexible approaches Cabin advocates. The lessons learned from Cabin's time in Hawai'i are well worth a read to anybody interested in developing an integrated approach to conservation science and practice." "Professionals, volunteers and academics seeking to combine their efforts will benefit from the variety of perspectives that Cabin brings to light." "Intelligent Tinkering is full of wisdom, honesty, and the voice of experience...Readers would be hard pressed to find a better, more compelling guide to help them navigate these heretofore poorly charted waters." "This book will set the tone for ecological restoration for years to come. It's not so much about Hawaii as it is about the imperative to resolve differences between the science of ecological restoration and its practice. It addresses ambiguities that we prefer to ignore regarding conservation. The book is a compelling personal account by Bob Cabin, who has serious credentials as a scientist and practitioner. Filled with imagery and insight, the book has the flair of a best-selling novel."---Andy Clewell, Society for Ecological Restoration "Cabin offers rare, poetic insight into his experiences restoring Hawaii's dryland forest and the tension that exists between the science and the practice of ecological restoration. His plea for intelligent tinkering acknowledges that success requires good science but also good practice and local knowledge. This book will add spice to the debate about how best to do eco

Large-Scale Ecosystem Restoration presents case studies of five of the most noteworthy large-scale restoration projects in the United States: Chesapeake Bay, the Everglades, California Bay Delta, the Platte River Basin, and the Upper Mississippi River System. These projects embody current efforts to address ecosystem restoration in an integrative and dynamic manner, at large spatial scale, involving whole (or even multiple) watersheds, and with complex stakeholder and public roles. Representing a variety of geographic regions and project structures, the cases shed light on the central controversies that have marked each project, outlining • the history of the project • the environmental challenges that generated it • the difficulties of approaching the project on an ecosystem-wide basis • techniques for conflict resolution and consensus building • the ongoing role of science in decision making • the means of dealing with uncertainties A concluding chapter offers a guide to assessing the progress of largescale restoration projects. Large-Scale Ecosystem Restoration examines some of the most difficult and important issues involved in restoring and protecting natural systems. It is a landmark publication for scientists, policymakers, and anyone working to protect or restore landscapes or watersheds. "Managing and preserving ecosystems has generally proceeded piecemeal, with environmentalists focusing on one species or area. Doyle (ecosystem science, University of Miami) and Drew (law, University of Miami) address the problem in all its complexity...This is a practical guide...a book that legislators, industrialists and all concerned citizens would profit from." "The authors have achieved a great deal in their clarity of analysis. They provide an excellent model for case studies of this kind through identification of the key dimensions which must be assessed and the key inter-related elements which shape the success or failure of any project...This is indeed a valuable book for anyone who wants to be a stakeholder, actor, analyst or perceptive observer in any major complex action program." "Suitable for consultants, soil scientists, ecologists, biologists, economists, lawyers, and those interested in difficulties with restoring ecosystems and the balance between natural and human worlds." "This book is the latest in the highly praised Science and Practice of Ecological Restoration series, which offers a foundation of practical knowledge and scientific insight that will also help ecological restoration become a powerful healing tool." "Broad-scale ecosystem restoration efforts involve a very complex set of ecological and societal components, and the success of any ecosystem restoration project rests on an integrated approach to implementation. Editors Mary Doyle and Cynthia Drew have successfully synthesized many of these factors in this comprehensive volume."

Across much of the industrialized world, rivers that were physically transformed and ecologically ruined to facilitate industrial and agricultural development are now the focus of restoration and rehabilitation efforts. River Futures discusses the emergence of this new era of river repair and documents a comprehensive biophysical framework for river science and management. The book considers what can be done to maximize prospects for improving river health while maintaining or enhancing the provision of ecosystem services over the next fifty to one-hundred years. It provides a holistic overview of considerations that underpin the use of science in river management, emphasizing cross-disciplinary understanding that builds on a landscape template. The book • frames the development of integrative river science and its application to river rehabilitation programs • develops a coherent set of guiding principles with which to approach integrative river science • considers the application of cross-disciplinary thinking in river rehabilitation experiences from around the world • examines the crossover between science and management, outlining issues that must be addressed to promote healthier river futures Case studies explore practical applications in different parts of the world, highlighting approaches to the use of integrative river science, measures of success, and steps that could be taken to improve performance in future efforts. River Futures offers a positive, practical, and constructive focus that directly addresses the major challenge of a new era of river conservation and rehabilitation-that of bringing together the diverse and typically discipline-bound sets of knowledge and practices that are involved in repairing rivers. It is a valuable resource for anyone involved in river restoration and management, including restorationists, scientists, managers, and policymakers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. "Focusing on the future rather than the past, an eco-system perspective, and integrating biological and social interests are among the strategies that these earth and environmental scientists apply to restoring rivers that have been damaged by human activity. Most of the contributors, and most of the case studies, are from Australia and New Zealand, but Europe, Japan, South Africa, and Colorado are also represented." "The editors...make a strong case that we should focus on what we hope our rivers will look like in the future, rather than trying to return them to what they looked like in the past." "In River Futures, Brierley and Fryirs, along with an international team of authors, provide a vision of what river rehabilitation is and how it should be managed." "Subjects covered in this collection include: the importance of having a future focus for river rehabilitation, a shift in the science and management of river systems, application of carefully targeted measures to monitor the conditions of river systems, and dedication to the concept of healthier river futures." "River Futures is an unequivocally positive book with a positive message, looking forward and trying to provide solutions." "In each section, multiple collaborators provide unique perspectives and research examples, mainly from Australia, to explain current river management challenges to raise awareness of the truly multi-disciplinary approaches that will be needed to achieve lasting river health and the future....Overall, the book has useful discussions and descriptions of approaches that will help all readers. There will certainly be a benefit to local decision-makers who are on the socio-political front lines of river management decisions, as they will gain a better understanding of the scientific context of river management."

Concern over climate change and the ongoing challenges of managing degraded ecosystems have made the field of ecological restoration a growing focus in the agendas of national and international conservation organizations, including the United Nations. The problems facing us are both complex and urgent, and effective solutions are needed. Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration presents principles of sound planning and management that will greatly increase the likelihood that completed projects will meet stakeholder expectations. John Rieger, John Stanley, and Ray Traynor have been involved in restoration activities for over thirty years and were part of the small group of restorationists who recognized the need for a professional organization and in 1987 founded the Society for Ecological Restoration. This book comes out of their experiences practicing restoration, conducting research, and developing and refining new techniques and methods. In the book, the authors describe a process for planning and managing an ecological restoration project using a simple, four-faceted approach: planning, design, implementation, and aftercare. Throughout, the authors show how to incorporate principles of landscape ecology, hydrology, soil science, wildlife biology, genetics, and other scientific disciplines into project design and implementation. Illustrations, checklists, and tables are included to help practitioners recognize and avoid potential problems that may arise. Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration provides a straightforward framework for developing and carrying out an ecological restoration project that has the highest potential for success. Professional and volunteer practitioners, land managers, and property owners can apply these guidelines to the wide variety of conditions and locations where restoration is needed. Long overdue, this book will inform and advance the effective practice of this rapidly expanding field. "Adding to an already rich series on ecological restoration texts, Island Press delivers this book chock-filled with over 100 years of accumulated knowledge and on-the-ground experiences by three luminaries in the field of ecological restoration. With a focus on project management Rieger, Stanley, and Traynor effectively bring the philosophical, ecological, and social aspects of ecological restoration to a practical reality. Students, practitioners, and, yes, even philosophers stand to benefit from reading this book."---Nik Lopoukhine, Past Chair of Society for Ecological Restoration "I have seen many well-meaning restoration projects fail due to poor planning, but that need never happen again. The authors lend over a century of combined experience in ecological restoration design at a variety of scales to describe the detailed analysis and planning process necessary for successful project design, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation."---Steve Windhager, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden "This sorely needed book presents a comprehensive view of restoration project management from a biological perspective. It will be especially useful to those now entering the field of ecological restoration as practitioners. I wish I had this book when I began my career as a practicing restorationist."---Tom Griggs, Senior Restoration Ecologist, River Partners "Whether you are a restoration practitioner, student or researcher, this is a necessary handbook of guidelines for all aspects of restoration and management. Nonspecialists and ecologists alike can readily take in the complexities of planning, risk management, and goal setting for regenerating ecosystems. Case studies and flow diagrams are presented to bring the world of planning to life."---Edith B. Allen, Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside "This is an excellent text for anyone interested in ecological restoration."

Considered an essential conservation tool, plant reintroductions have been conducted for many of the world's rarest plant species. The expertise and knowledge gained through these efforts constitute an essential storehouse of information for conservationists faced with a rapidly changing global climate. This volume presents a comprehensive review of reintroduction projects and practices, the circumstances of their successes or failures, lessons learned, and the potential role for reintroductions in preserving species threatened by climate change. Contributors examine current plant reintroduction practices, from selecting appropriate source material and recipient sites to assessing population demography. The findings culminate in a set of Best Reintroduction Practice Guidelines, included in an appendix. These guidelines cover stages from planning and implementation to long-term monitoring, and offer not only recommended actions but also checklists of questions to consider that are applicable to projects around the world. Traditional reintroduction practice can inform managed relocation-the deliberate movement of species outside their native range-which may be the only hope for some species to persist in a natural environment. Included in the book are discussions of the history, fears, and controversy regarding managed relocation, along with protocols for evaluating invasive risk and proposals for conducting managed relocation of rare plants. Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate is a comprehensive and accessible reference for practitioners to use in planning and executing rare plant reintroductions. "will serve as a very useful resource for anyone interested or involved in the management of rare plants." "A must read for those interested in [managed relocation]... There is more than enoughsubstance in this text to warrant a place on any conservation, restoration, landscape, or geographical ecologist's bookshelf." "This is an extremely important book which needs to be widely read and more importantly used as stimulus for debate so that we can decide upon the policy and actions which will be required to manage environments and to conserve biodiversity in the future." "A solid and core addition for science and environmental collections, Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate is not to be overlooked." "...this work will certainly be heavily used and referenced by diverse readers around the world." "Governments worldwide have committed to restoring at least 15 percent of the world's degraded ecosystems by 2020. Plant reintroduction is a vital component of this effort, putting the right species back in the right places. This book is essential reading for all who would join the global task of restoring the earth."---Sara Oldfield, Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International "Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate provides a timely and comprehensive review of the science of restoring rare plant species. In our changing world, the threats to plants, and the need for restoration, are both rapidly increasing. This volume provides some of the best thinking on the design and implementation of reintroduction projects and belongs on the bookshelves of all those working to stem the losses of plant biodiversity."---Kayri Havens, Director, Plant and Science Conservation, Chicago Botanic Garden

Restoring Disturbed Landscapes is a hands-on guide for individuals and groups seeking to improve the functional capacity of landscapes. The book presents a five-step, adaptive procedure for restoring landscapes that is supported by proven principles and concepts of ecological science. Written by restoration experts with a wealth of experience teaching restoration principles and techniques to practitioners and would-be practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, the book offers: • an outline of a science-based, ecologically sound approach to restoration • discussion of the conceptual framework and rigorous principles that underlie the approach • case studies of two types of restoration projects (restoring mined landscapes and restoring damaged rangelands) that illustrate how the approach, framework, and four key principles for restoring landscapes have been implemented • a variety of scenarios that represent typical restoration problems and how those problems can be handled • indicators for monitoring and how landscape function can be tracked and analyzed as part of a comprehensive monitoring program. Abundantly illustrated with photos and figures that clearly explain concepts outlined in the book, Restoring Disturbed Landscapes is an engaging and accessible work designed specifically for restoration practitioners with limited training or experience in the field. It tells restorationists where to start, what information they need to acquire, and how to apply this information to their specific situations. "This is an excellent guide on how to restore degraded landscapes. Tongway and Ludwig have brought together their insights from three decades of research on landscape function. They are uniquely qualified to provide this readable account of the determinants of functional versus dysfunctional landscapes, and their five-step procedure for how to restore the latter has an impressive record."---Brian Walker, research fellow, CSIRO Australia and The Stockholm Resilience Center "Many countries, including Australia, suffer the loss of billions of dollars from land degradation every year from problems of the kind Tongway and Ludwig address in Restoring Disturbed Landscapes. This wonderful book will trigger a revolution in land-use strategies and should be in the hands and minds of everyone, from graziers to academics, who wants a secure future for our world."---Michael Archer, Professor, University of New South Wales, Australia "Restoring landscape function, so vital to ecosystem services, is the next frontier for restorationists, and Tongway and Ludwig describe that future eloquently. Their in-depth treatment of function and case studies are especially helpful, and the photos clearly demonstrate that the authors walk their talk. As a restoration practitioner and researcher, I find that this book has filled a critical gap for me. It should be a part of every restorationist's arsenal."---Michael Hogan, Founder, Integrated Environmental Restoration Services, Lake Tahoe, California "Experts in the field of landscape restoration, the authors share their extensive knowledge and experiences for the purpose of encouraging ecosystem rehabilitation. They present a report on their concepts and tested methods that can be used in sites around the world in order to 'repair damaged landscape to an acceptable level of functionality.' The five-step procedure will serve as a useful guide to professionals and those interested in restoration practices in a broad range of problems."---Marilyn K. Alaimo, garden writer and volunteer, Chicago Botanic Garden "...the authors succeeded in their objective. That is, to make the reader think more about function or process and less about the simple presence or abundance of species and life forms as measures of restoration success."

Ecological restoration is a rapidly growing discipline that encompasses a wide range of activities and brings together practitioners and theoreticians from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, ranging from volunteer backyard restorationists to highly trained academic scientists and professional consultants. This book offers a comprehensive and coherent account of the field for everyone who initiates, finances, designs, administers, issues government permits for, manages, and implements ecological restoration projects, and all those who serve in supportive roles. Originally published in 2007, this revised and reorganized edition brings the book up to date with new developments and current trends in the field. In a lively, personal fashion, the authors discuss scientific and practical aspects of the field as well as the human needs and values that motivate practitioners. The book • identifies fundamental concepts upon which restoration is based • considers the principles of restoration practice • explores the diverse values that are fulfilled with the restoration of ecosystems • reviews the structure of restoration practice, including the various contexts for restoration work, the professional development of its practitioners, and the relationships of restoration with allied fields and activities The book also includes case studies and Virtual Field Trips around the world that illustrate points made in the book with on-the-ground information from those who were intimately involved with the projects described. Throughout, ecological restoration is conceived as a holistic endeavor, one that addresses issues of ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, personal engagement, and sustainability science simultaneously, and draws upon cultural resources and local skills and knowledge in restoration work.

Publicado originalmente em 2007, Restauração Ecológica se tornou um livro seminal em seu campo. Esta edição completamente revisada e reorganizada apresenta desenvolvimentos e tendências atuais no campo por dois dos líderes mundiais em restauração ecológica. Disponível em por tuguês pela primeira vez, este novo ebook é um recurso inestimável para praticantes e teóricos de diferentes origens, desde voluntários até cientistas acadêmicos e consultores prof issionais.

Cork oak has historically been an important species in the western Mediterranean-ecologically as a canopy or "framework" tree in natural woodlands, and culturally as an economically valuable resource that underpins local economies. Both the natural woodlands and the derived cultural systems are experiencing rapid change, and whether or not they are resilient enough to adapt to that change is an open question. Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge provides a synthesis of the most up-to-date, scientific, and practical information on the management of cork oak woodlands and the cultural systems that depend on cork oak. In addition, Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge offers ten site profiles written by local experts that present an in-depth vision of cork oak woodlands across a range of biophysical, historical, and cultural contexts, with sixteen pages of full-color photos that illustrate the tree, agro-silvopastoral systems, products, resident biodiversity, and more. Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge is an important book for anyone interested in the future of cork oak woodlands, or in the management of cultural landscapes and their associated land-use systems. In a changing world full of risks and surprises, it represents an excellent example of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to studying, managing, and restoring an ecosystem, and will serve as a guide for other studies of this kind. "This book brings together the best of the ecological and social sciences to assess the condition of an iconic ecosysytem of the western Mediterranean world, with results as useful and beautiful as the cork oak itself."---J.R. McNeill, Georgetown University, author of Something New Under the Sun "Cork oak forests have coevolved with human societies for thousands of years. They support the livelihoods of millions of people and are a key component of treasured Mediterranean landscapes, but the pressures on these forests have never been greater. This scholarly work offers a wealth of knowledge on the management and restoration of a critical forest system and contains much of significance to those concerned with our relationship to all forests worldwide."---Jeff Sayer, science advisor, IUCN "Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge provides a broad introduction to a vanishing cultural landscape. Cork oak woodlands are rich in species and also in traditional knowledge and lessons for understanding and coping with global change."---Fernando Valladares, Instituto de Recursos Naturales, CSIC, and Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid "This comprehensive account of Mediterranean cork oak trees and the cultural landscapes they have dominated for millennia reveals much about ecology, management, history, and culture. The contributors represent an international group of researchers and managers engaged in exploring and restoring these emblematic ecosystems."---Francis E. Putz, Department of Biology, University of Florida "[Cork Oak Woodlands on the Edge] is well written, technical and scientifically sound and, being very comprehensive, gives the reader a complete picture of the problem. I think this book is a must for all people interested in climate change and restoration of ecosystems. By reading this you will understand the importance of the use of cork products; that is, the economic importance of such products for the producer countries who have a considerable workforce allocated to this activity."

Making Nature Whole is a seminal volume that presents an in-depth history of the field of ecological restoration as it has developed in the United States over the last three decades. The authors draw from both published and unpublished sources, including archival materials and oral histories from early practitioners, to explore the development of the field and its importance to environmental management as well as to the larger environmental movement and our understanding of the world. Considering antecedents as varied as monastic gardens, the Scientific Revolution, and the emerging nature-awareness of nineteenth-century Romantics and Transcendentalists, Jordan and Lubick offer unique insight into the field's philosophical and theoretical underpinnings. They examine specifically the more recent history, including the story of those who first attempted to recreate natural ecosystems early in the 20th century, as well as those who over the past few decades have realized the value of this approach not only as a critical element in conservation but also as a context for negotiating the ever-changing relationship between humans and the natural environment. Making Nature Whole is a landmark contribution, providing context and history regarding a distinctive form of land management and giving readers a fascinating overview of the development of the field. It is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding where ecological restoration came from or where it might be going. "In this deeply personal book, Jordan and Lubick take the time to convince us that ecocentric restoration is crucial not because it is the best or only way to manage landscapes, but because it allows us the step outside ourselves for just a moment, to stop the hands of time, and to revere something larger than ourselves that is simply not interested in us at all." "Making Nature Whole would be an authoritative source for any discussion of either the future of restoration or man's relationship with nature." "Jordan and Lubick expertly provide the first comprehensive history of ecological restoration, a history that is both long and wide. They take us back to the first manipulations of nature with fire by early man, through the development of agriculture, and then industrial-scale change and the emergence of a felt need to restore a bit of the world to some whole estate. They range widely through the natural and social sciences, humanities, and religious traditions to understand this urge to restore."---J. Baird Callicott, University Distinguished Research Professor, University of North Texas "This book would be supremely valuable even if it were simply an excellent history of ecological restoration-which it is. It is also, however, a profound and innovative reflection on humans' complex relations with the nonhuman world. It ranges across many fields, including not only the natural sciences but also literature, history, philosophy, and religion. Jordan and Lubick weave their diverse sources together without ever losing sight of their central question-how do we understand and come to terms with a nature that, in Emerson's words, 'leads us on and on but arrives nowhere'?"---Anna Peterson, Professor, Department of Religion, University of Florida "This well researched book is carefully documented with extensive citations and notes keyed to the chapters in an unobtrusive way that does not interrupt the narrative." "In sum, this well-written and well-produced book offers a fascinating look at the origins of the discipline of ecological restoration by one of its foremost theorists and practitioners. As such, it will be essential reading for restorationists seeking inspiration and validation." "Overall, Making Nature Whole: A History of Ecological Restoration is a valuable and exciting read to anyone from a student to the established academic who is interested in the roots of ecological restoration. It successfully combines philosophy, history and ecolog

As the practical application of ecological restoration continues to grow, there is an increasing need to connect restoration practice to areas of underlying ecological theory. Foundations of Restoration Ecology is an important milestone in the field, bringing together leading ecologists to bridge the gap between theory and practice by translating elements of ecological theory and current research themes into a scientific framework for the field of restoration ecology. Each chapter addresses a particular area of ecological theory, covering traditional levels of biological hierarchy (such as population genetics, demography, community ecology) as well as topics of central relevance to the challenges of restoration ecology (such as species interactions, fine-scale heterogeneity, successional trajectories, invasive species ecology, ecophysiology). Several chapters focus on research tools (research design, statistical analysis, modeling), or place restoration ecology research in a larger context (large-scale ecological phenomena, macroecology, climate change and paleoecology, evolutionary ecology). The book makes a compelling case that a stronger connection between ecological theory and the science of restoration ecology will be mutually beneficial for both fields: restoration ecology benefits from a stronger grounding in basic theory, while ecological theory benefits from the unique opportunities for experimentation in a restoration context. Foundations of Restoration Ecology advances the science behind the practice of restoring ecosystems while exploring ways in which restoration ecology can inform basic ecological questions. It provides the first comprehensive overview of the theoretical foundations of restoration ecology, and is a must-have volume for anyone involved in restoration research, teaching, or practice. "Restoration is a keystone strategy for conserving biodiversity, and ecology has matured into a central discipline of the biological sciences. This important work shows us that their synergy offers new hope for the future of life on Earth."---Edward O. Wilson, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University "Humanity has damaged more than half the land surface on Earth, making restoration an essential tool to preserve biodiversity. It is also the ultimate test of whether we scientists know enough to do the job. There is no better place to find out than inside this book."---Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology, Duke University "The publication of this book is an important event, a coming-of-age of restoration-it's an indispensable key to the survival and well-being of classic ecosystems, setting the context for basic ecological research. A rich trove of ecological theory in productive and provocative dialogue with restoration practice."---William R. Jordan III, Director, New Academy and DePaul University Institute for Nature and Culture "This volume explores classical ecological theory from a perspective that identifies optimal strategies behind the practical application of restoration ecology in the near future. The editors and authors have produced a paragon of sustainability science."---Jelte van Andel, Professor of plant ecology, University of Gronigen, The Netherlands "This is a comprehensive synthesis of the conceptual basis of the field of restoration ecology. With contributions by leading theoretical ecologists as well as by recognized restoration ecologists, it covers the range of hierarchies from population genetics to macroecology."---Edith B. Allen, Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, UC, Riverside