1. Ecological Restoration
Chapter 10
Ecological Restoration
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Environmental Science 5e

2. Environmental Science 5e
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.
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Environmental Science 5e

3. What needs to be restored?
Wetlands, Rivers and Streams
(Ex: Kissimmee River, Everglades National Park)
Prairie Restoration
(Ex: Allwine Prairie)
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Environmental Science 5e

4. Environmental Science 5e
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5. When Nature Restores Itself: 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
Secondary Succession: The reestablishment of an ecosystem where there are remnants of a previous biological community
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

6. Patterns in Succession
An initial kind of vegetation specially adapted to the unstable conditions
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.
Examples of Succession:
Dune Succession, Bog Succession, Old-Field Succession
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Environmental Science 5e

7. Environmental Science 5e
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8. Environmental Science 5e
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9. 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.
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Environmental Science 5e

10. Environmental Science 5e
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11. 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
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Environmental Science 5e

12. Environmental Science 5e
Facilitation
During succession, one species prepares the way for the next (and may even be necessary for the occurrence of the next)
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Environmental Science 5e

13. Environmental Science 5e
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
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Environmental Science 5e

14. Environmental Science 5e
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15. Life History Difference
The difference in the life histories of the species allow some time to arrive first and grow quickly, while others arrive late and grow more slowly
Ex) seed disbursal
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e