Ecological Restoration

Ecological restoration refers to measures for the restoration of disturbed ecosystems.

Ecological restoration encompasses all targeted measures to restore ecosystems that have been disturbed, degraded, or destroyed by human intervention or natural events. The overarching goal of these approaches is to restore or promote the original ecological functions, processes, and biodiversity in a specific area. In German-speaking regions, ecological restoration is defined as the sum of all measures that are suitable to support the recovery of damaged ecosystems. It is important to distinguish between related terms such as rehabilitation and restitution, as they refer to different approaches to ecosystem restoration.

The goals of ecological restoration include the restoration of ecological processes, the promotion of biodiversity through the establishment of typical plant and animal species, as well as the improvement of ecosystem services such as water purification and carbon sequestration. Key methods for ecological restoration include the naturalization of rivers, reforestation of native tree species, and coral restoration projects. These measures are crucial in the global fight against biodiversity loss and climate change, as approximately 75% of the habitable land area worldwide is considered degraded.

The political and legal frameworks, such as the EU Restoration Regulation, promote the implementation of these measures. Ecological restoration connects ecological, technical, and societal approaches and is a central component of international strategies for the restoration of ecosystems to be implemented by 2030.