1. Ecological Restoration
Chapter 10
Ecological Restoration

2. The Balance of Nature
An environmental myth that states that the natural environment, when not influenced by human activity, will reach a constant status, unchanging over time.
Environmentalists in early 20th cent. Formalized the idea
Succession proceeds to a fixed, “classic” condition called Climax Condition (steady state stage that can persist indefinitely, max. organic matter, max. storage of chemicals, max. biodiversity.

3. Restore to what !! Restore to original natural, permanent condition.
But…. What is this? This idea assumes that nature is constant.
Nature is NOT constant; it undergoes change
Some species require change to persist

4. What is Restoration
Restoring an ecosystem to its historical range of variation and to an ability to sustain itself and its crucial functions, including chemical cycling
Upper Newport Bay

5. What needs to be restored?
Wetlands, Rivers and Streams
(Ex: Kissimmee River)
Channelization of the river,
Prairie Restoration
(Ex: Allwine Prairie)
Agricultural conversion

6. Kissimmee River Project

7. The Process of Ecological Succession
The process of the development of an ecological community or ecosystem.
Two Types:
Primary Succession: The initial establishment and development of an ecosystem
(following volcanic activity or edges of glaciers)
Secondary Succession: The reestablishment of an ecosystem where there are remnants of a previous biological community
(following a natural disaster: hurricane, flooding, fire)

8. Primary succession
New growth on a cooled lava flow

9. Secondary Succession
Following a forest fire

10. Patterns in Succession
An initial kind of vegetation specially adapted to the unstable conditions (Pioneer Species)
Small plants and other early-successional species grow and seeds spread rapidly.
Larger plants and other late successional species enter and begin to dominate the site.
A mature forest develops.
(Succession is usually characterized as early (steps
1&2), middle and late.)
Examples of Succession:
Dune Succession, Bog Succession, Old-Field Succession

11. Early successional species are fast growing, small, adapted for harsher conditions. They do not live long. Seeds widely disperse.
Late successional species are slow growing and longer living. Can live in shade. Seeds not widely dispersed.

13. Succession and Chemical Cycling
Biomass, production, diversity and chemical cycling change during succession
Biomass and diversity peak in mid-succession, increasing at first to a maximum, then declining and varying over time.

15. Species Change in Succession
Earlier and later species in succession may interact in three ways:
Facilitation
Interference
Life history differences
If they do not interact, the result is termed chronic patchiness

16. Facilitation
During succession, one species prepares the way for the next (and may even be necessary for the occurrence of the next)
Dune and bog succession

17. Interference
During succession, one species prevents the entrance of a later species into an ecosystem.
Ex) Some grasses produce dense and thick mats so the seeds of trees cannot reach the soil to germinate

19. Life History Difference
The difference in the life histories of the species allow some to arrive first and grow quickly, while others arrive late and grow more slowly
Ex) seed disbursal

20. Primary Succesion

21. Primary Succession

22. Succession

23. Forest Fire

24. Forest succession