Ecosystem restoration (ER) is the process of assisting with the recovery of ecosystem components, where they have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed, by re-establishing critical ecological processes and structural characteristics. SERNbc incorporates human values in our definition of ER: The management of the structure and function of vulnerable ecosystems to achieve a desired future condition that will sustain ecological services and meet socio-economic needs.
Ecosystems may be degraded or damaged when:
SERNbc uses three general criteria to select specific ecosystems for restoration activities, which include:
Vulnerable, degraded and damaged ecosystems are a high priority for ER activities if they have high functional importance in terms of providing important ecological services. This functional importance or management priority increases when the ER needs of a subject ecosystem is not being addressed by existing programming.
Potential ER projects must align with SERNbc’s objectives as identified in our strategic plan. All ER projects undertaken by SERNbc need to be supported by data and analysis that describes their current state, desired future condition, management objectives, and treatment rationale.
There are a number of principles SERNbc considers when evaluating the ecosystem restoration priorities, including: