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Ecosystem restoration

The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) challenges everyone to massively scale up restoration efforts that breathe new life into our degraded ecosystems. Restoring our planet’s imperilled ecosystems intrinsically connects us with a chance at a healthier future. We will work together to bring life and function back to our scarred ecosystems through extensive and pro-active restoration – rebuilding degraded areas to improve habitat for wildlife, protect our soils and watersheds, support economic resiliency, and better confront a changing climate.

About Ecosystem restoration

Ecosystem restoration manifests through actions as varied as new mangroves, grass or other plantings, natural or assisted regeneration, agroforestry, soil enhancement measures, or improved and sustainable management to accommodate a mosaic of land, aquatic, or marine uses.

Any degraded ecosystem including agricultural areas, savannah, wetlands, protected wildlife reserves, fisheries, managed plantations, riversides, coastal areas and many others may offer opportunities for improvement through restoration. Ecosystem restoration could focus on re-establishing ecological integrity on a hillside or a sea grass bed to the large-scale landscape restoration of a plateau or mountain range.

The tangible benefits of the Decade can be viewed through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as substantial Nature-based Solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, water and food security, poverty reduction, economic growth and biodiversity conservation.

Heading $125 trillion

contribution of landscapes and marine ecosystem services every year to the global economy

Heading 22 countries

are using the Restoration Barometer to report the progress of their restoration targets and more than 50 countries have endorsed it.

IUCN's role?

Every government, community, conservation organisation and private enterprise will play a role in fulfilling the objectives of the Decade. The Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN Environment Programme are the UN agencies tasked with facilitating its delivery. IUCN joins the two UN agencies along with the Global Landscapes Forum to form the consortium for the implementation of the Decade.

IUCN adopted WCC-2020-Res-035 in its last World Conservation Congress, where members made express requests to raise the ambition on ecosystem restoration in line with the CBD Post2020 global biodiversity framework, with specific support towards implementation.

As such, IUCN contributes to the Decade through (i) developing scientific underpinning to guide implementation of restoration activities, (ii) supporting monitoring through flagship tools including the Red List of Ecosystems and the Restoration Barometer, (iii) mobilising its constituency to action on the ground, and (iv) paving the way for global communities of action in all ecosystems.

Remake the world

As a farmer or a small landholder, you have the tremendous power to shape ecosystems. Use this power and join the planet’s biggest landscape restoration promise by becoming a part of the Bonn Challenge. The actions of one farmer can make a difference. The restorative actions of one million farmers, can remake the world.

IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology 2.0

The IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology is a hierarchical classification system that, in its upper levels, defines ecosystems by their convergent ecological functions and, in its lower levels, distinguishes ecosystems with contrasting assemblages of species engaged in those functions. This report describes the three upper levels of the hierarchy, which provide a framework for understanding and comparing the key ecological traits of functionally different ecosystems and their drivers. An understanding of these traits and drivers is essential to support ecosystem management.

IUCN Restoration Intervention Typology for Terrestrial Ecosystems

IUCN spurs restoration action and monitoring by launching a typology of restoration interventions for ALL terrestrial ecosystem types including coasts and inland waters. The ecosystem types were derived from the  IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology  and the grouping of ecosystems for the  UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration .  The typology also aligns with existing or emerging classification systems, such as the one that will be used by the upcoming Mangrove Restoration Tracker Tool developed under the  Global Mangrove Alliance .

IUCN and the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

IUCN is already spearheading science and practice on ecosystem restoration through its 70 years of work with members and partners around the world, in its role as the secretariat of the Bonn Challenge, and as founder and coordinator of the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR).

IUCN’s Nature-based Solutions Group is forging inroads on restoration through flagship programmes like The Restoration Initiative, SUSTAIN, and Catalysing Private Sector Commitment to the Bonn Challenge, to name a few. Coupled with expertise in the application of the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) – the most widely used restoration planning resource of its kind – and with growing experience in restoration science, policy and capacity building, IUCN is well-positioned to support countries with the implementation of this Decade.

The Decade is also energising IUCN’s vast network of members, commissions, partners and experts, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to conserving and restoring ecosystems, and building on advances that we have already made to enable restoration. The stage is set to catalyse support, spur scientific research and mobilise the financial will to dramatically advance restoration on hundreds of millions of hectares in every type of ecosystem, from the mountaintops to the seafloor.

A new animation from GWI West Africa, one in a three-part series, explains how local development funds can provide long-term financing to communities who lose their livelihoods when the construction of dams forces them from their land.

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Pressing Questions About Ecosystem Restoration, Answered

• restoration
• agriculture
• deforestation

The world’s ecosystems are under threat.

Fires are turning biodiverse forests in California and wetlands in Argentina and Brazil into charred landscapes . The ocean is getting warmer and more acidic, bleaching colorful, fish-filled coral reefs across the Seychelles. The abuse of the soil, exacerbated by overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, is damaging the long-term economic and ecological health of struggling farm communities in China.

These threats — such as commodity agriculture, climate change and overfishing — are specific to every land and seascape. But all forms of ecosystem degradation have one thing in common: When people hurt ecosystems, they also hurt economies, biodiversity and the climate.

The damage is reversible, though. Restoring  degraded ecosystems is not only possible, but it makes economic sense, too.

Thousands of organizations and millions of people — from entrepreneurs in South Africa to government officials in El Salvador to youth activists in the United States — have banded together to create the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration , a 10-year effort to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. They are building on work from the past decade —  such as partnerships like AFR100 in Africa, where 30 countries pledged to restore an area of land the size of Egypt — and  are turning it into action on the ground.

Why is it Beneficial to Restore Degraded Ecosystems?

Restoring landscapes and marine ecosystems is urgent not only because they are home to countless plant and animals, but because the services they provide are worth an estimated $125 trillion every year to the global economy. Healthy ecosystems and landscapes support industries like farming, fishing, forestry and tourism, which employ 1.2 billion people . In the United States alone, ecosystem restoration is a $25 billion industry that employs 220,000 people, more than each of the coal, logging or steel industries. And globally, each $1 invested in restoring degraded landscapes can bring $7-30 in economic returns.

Healthy ecosystems are also a lynchpin in the fight against climate change, itself a major driver of ocean and landscape degradation. If nature were protected and restored at scale, it could provide more than one-third of the annual emissions reductions the world needs by 2030 to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees C (2.6 degrees F). The world’s forests alone store 1.5 times more carbon than the U.S. emits every year (and could soak up 23% of global CO2 emissions every year if we let them naturally regenerate).

Restoring ecosystems can also directly serve the world’s Indigenous people and communities, many of whom rely on natural resources for their livelihoods and cultural practices. The herding culture of Kenya’s Maasai people, for example, is only sustainable if the grassy rangelands they call home — and that feed their cattle — are constantly replenished.

How Can Critical Ecosystems Be Restored?

Successful restoration is all about embracing diversity: One comprehensive study identified 108 different ecosystems, and restoration techniques vary depending on the ecosystem and location. On farms, for example, people can plant trees to shade crops like coffee, dig terraces to halt the erosion of hills, or allow native vegetation to naturally regrow in exchange for payments for reinforced ecosystem services like clean water. In the ocean, people can reseed seagrass beds to store blue carbon, or grow coral polyps in underwater nurseries to rebuild habitat for valuable fish.

What Are Some Examples of Ecosystem Restoration?

So, what are the key ecosystems that are people are restoring, and how are they doing it? Five examples of ecosystem restoration in particular are critical for the health and safety of people, biodiversity and the climate.

1. Farmlands

Farmers are the backbone of rural economies and the global food system, and they are chief among the 3.2 billion people worldwide who suffer from land degradation. While the unsustainable practices of some of them — like slash-and-burn cultivation and the overapplication of chemical fertilizers and pesticides — have contributed to the problem, others are now restoring degraded farmland and surrounding landscapes to boost agricultural productivity.

By embracing approaches like agroforestry (trees on farms), silvopasture (trees on grazing land), and low-carbon agriculture (no-till farming and cover crops) across 150 million hectares of land, restoration could generate $85 billion in net benefits, provide $30–40 billion a year in extra income for smallholders, and supply food for nearly 200 million people.

In India’s small Sidhi District alone, restoring 75% of the land with 40 million tree saplings — many of which would go on and around farms to boost crop yields or in sustainable orchards — could bring $19 million to struggling rural communities.

Investors are starting to take notice of this opportunity: Across Latin America, impact investor 12Tree  has put more than $100 million into projects that protect natural forest while producing high-quality coffee, cocoa and jobs.

In 2020 alone, the world lost 12 million hectares of tropical forests, an area of land larger than Malawi. Especially concerning is the 12% increase in annual loss within biodiverse, carbon-storing, humid primary forests. Caused by the expansion of commodity agriculture, wildfires and a host of other human activities, tree cover loss has turned some of these forests, like Indonesia’s dense jungles, into sources of carbon emissions rather than carbon sinks.

But around the world, new forests are sprouting up thanks to tree planters and people who are helping trees regenerate naturally. The economic opportunity is too great to pass up: Fully investing in Ethiopia’s forest economy, for example, could deliver a $1.91 billion return .

In Brazil, pioneers like Bruno Mariani , whose company Symbiosis Investimentos is restoring the country’s damaged Atlantic Forest with native trees like the ipê-felpudo and pau brasil , are showing that sustainable income and protecting the environment can go hand-in-hand. A monitoring platform, the Brazilian Restoration and Reforestation Observatory , is collecting data to show where these efforts are making an impact. Today, more than 11 million hectares of forest are naturally regenerating throughout the country, and local project developers are planting and maintaining new trees across dozens of areas.

3. Grasslands

Sometimes, trees aren’t the solution. The world’s grassland ecosystems, covering 31% to 43% of Earth's land , are home to countless bird and plant species and store carbon in their deep, interlocking root systems and soils. These ecosystems, which many of the world’s 200 million pastoralists need to feed their livestock, are undervalued, often plowed over for farming, sacrificed to poorly planned tree-planting campaigns, or damaged by overgrazing.

When livestock aren’t managed sustainably, the soil compacts, the grass stops growing and the desert starts spreading. In Mexico’s Chihuahua Desert, cattle ranchers are working with organizations like Pronatura , Pasticultores del Desierto and American Bird Conservancy to better manage 100,000 hectares of native grasslands. Preventing cattle from grazing on certain areas at certain times gives grasses enough time to grow back and provides a haven for migrating birds. It makes economic sense for the ranchers, too: With a healthy ecosystem, cattle have more feed.

4. Peatlands

The expansion of oil palm plantations and other farms in places like Indonesia threaten peatlands,  swampy ecosystems formed by decomposing plant matter. That’s bad news for the climate: When a hectare of carbon-rich peatland is drained, it has roughly the same climate-warming effect of burning 6,000 gallons of gasoline. In 2015, when 52% of forest fires in Indonesia occurred on drained peatlands, more than 100,000 people prematurely died (many from acute respiratory infections). The economy suffered a loss of $16 billion .

In 2016, mounting pressure from civil society forced the Indonesian government into action, and they committed to rewet and protect 2.6 million hectares of damaged peatlands within five years. While peatlands continue to burn — with more than 500,000 hectares destroyed in 2019 alone — there are many success stories of people managing their peatlands without burning them. For example, by damming the canals that originally drained and dried part of Central Kalimantan’s peatlands , local people are now sustainably managing more than 20,000 hectares and lowering the risk of future fires.

5. Ocean and Coasts

The ocean also is facing unprecedented challenges: Only 3% of it is unaffected by humans. Between 1970 and 2000 , seagrass meadows, which support 20% of the world’s largest fisheries, declined by roughly 30%, while mangrove forests, which help reduce flooding and coastal erosion, declined by 35% as coastal development and demand for charcoal expanded. Since the 1870s, half of reefs’ coral cover , which protect the homes of more than 500 million people , has died. Considering that some of these “blue carbon” ecosystems can store up to 10 times more carbon than the same expanse of forest, their declining health is concerning.

Mangroves, a special type of ecosystem where the sea and the land meet, are especially important for fisheries and protecting coastal communities against sea level rise. Every $1 invested in protecting and restoring them leads to $3 in benefits.

In Senegal’s Casamance delta, NGO Océanium and the Livelihoods Funds have mobilized 100,000 people to restore more than 10,000 hectares of mangroves — and produce an extra 18,000 tons of fish annually to boost local food security. The newly planted mangrove saplings have brought at least one positive impact to 95% of local people. In addition to protected coasts and improved food security, some farmers experienced increased rice yields in freshwater paddies that are now protected from salty ocean water.

How Can the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Be Successful?

The restoration commitments that governments and corporations have for 2030 are impressive: restoring 350 million hectares of degraded landscapes, protecting and growing 1 trillion trees, expanding mangroves by 20% and sustainably managing 30 million square kilometers of the ocean.

The secret to global success, however, lies in boosting the capacity of local leaders. First, decision-makers from local and regional governments, NGOs, and small businesses need access to lessons that past restoration projects have learned, as well as monitoring data that can help them prove their success to funders and inspire others to replicate their accomplishments.

Second, they need strong public incentives and government policies that provide technical expertise and pay them for the ecosystem services they are protecting and restoring.

And finally, thousands of restoration project developers and entrepreneurs need access to training, mentorship, and networks that can help them tap into the billions of dollars of private finance earmarked for ecosystem restoration.

Kenyan Nobel Prize laureate Wangari Maathai once said that “It is the little things that citizens do that will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.” By investing in millions of people whose own “little thing” is restoring ecosystems near and far, we can turn the dream of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration into a more sustainable future for all.

Do you want to learn more about how we’re helping people restore the world’s ecosystems? Learn more about our work on forest and landscape restoration, and sign up for our newsletter.

The author would like to thank Katie Flanagan, Luciana Gallardo Lomeli, and Maria Potouroglou for their input.

Relevant Work

The benefits and power of assisted natural regeneration, smarter farm subsidies can drive ecosystem restoration, restoring degraded land in latin america can bring billions in economic benefits, 6 ways entrepreneurs are restoring farms and forests: the land accelerator south asia, how you can help.

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Ecosystem Restoration and Species Recovery Benefit People and Planet

About the author, hazel thornton.

Hazel Thornton is Senior Programme Officer, Nature Restored, United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).

3 March 2022

This year’s observance of World Wildlife Day—3 March 2022—focuses on the recovery of key species and the restoration of the planet’s ecosystems. This important theme provides us with the opportunity to reflect on restoration actions and impact so far, and how we can and must support people and nature in the future.

From forests to farmlands, mountains to oceans, our ecosystems, both modified and natural, provide multiple environmental, economic and social benefits for people and for nature. Our forests support an estimated 80 per cent of all amphibian species, 75 per cent of all bird species and 68 per cent of all mammal species . Our freshwater bodies are home to an estimated one third of vertebrate species and 10 per cent of all known species . Mountain ecosystems host roughly half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots , while our oceans provide 99 per cent of the world’s living space . These diverse ecosystems and their species provide us with a range of essential ecosystem services—from biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation, to support for our economies, health and security.

However, these ecosystems and their ability to deliver these ecosystem services are being damaged, degraded and destroyed, which directly impacts people and nature. Between 2015 and 2020, we lost approximately 10 million hectares of forests per year, 1  and globally more than two thirds of our ocean ecosystems are now damaged, degraded or modified. 2  On a finer scale, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists over 8,400 species as critically endangered and nearly 30,000 species as endangered or vulnerable.

This loss of ecosystems and species leads to the loss of benefits for people and nature. From an economic perspective, it is estimated that $10 trillion in global GDP could be lost by 2050 if ecosystem services continue to decline . One third of commercial fish stocks are now overfished, 3 which threatens the livelihoods of over 60 million fishers globally . 4  Furthermore, an estimated 1.4 billion livelihoods, ranging from food and drinks to energy and water, are directly reliant on access to fresh water. 5

We need healthy and productive ecosystems to benefit from the multiple environmental, economic and social benefits they provide. Ecosystem restoration offers the opportunity to effectively halt and reverse degradation, improve ecosystem services and recover biodiversity. It is estimated that 60 per cent of expected species extinctions could be avoided through the effective restoration of 15 per cent of converted lands. 6 Furthermore, the protection of existing intact ecosystems and the restoration of degraded ecosystems has the potential to contribute to over one third of total climate change mitigation required by 2030 .

Around the world there are a growing number of examples of the environmental, economic and social benefits of restoring ecosystems and species. In Mobile Bay, Alabama, United States the restoration of oyster reefs led to a 53–91 per cent reduction in wave height and energy at the shoreline, while the local economy has benefited from improved seafood and greater fish stocks. 7  And, looking forward, the Great Green Wall initiative aims to combine restoration of 100 million hectares of degraded land with the promotion of peace and security across the Sahel.

This year will feature various crucial political moments to compel and catalyse action for the recovery of our key species and the restoration of our ecosystems, including meetings on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework , the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and Stockholm+50 , among others. Discussions, commitments and implementation throughout the year will contribute towards the recovery of species and ecosystems, as well as the achievement of multiple international goals and targets. Such efforts align directly with the ambition and vision of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration , set to run until 2030. Stemming from strong political will and backed by the private sector, non-governmental organizations, scientists and practitioners, this campaign aims to build a new global momentum around the core ambition of ecosystem restoration at regional, national and global scales. 

This is also a key year for several other pivotal International Decade campaigns aimed at supporting the recovery of species and ecosystems. The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, for example, calls upon actors to address the degradation of our ocean and coastal ecosystems and improve science for decision-making. The International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development  drives us forward on the conservation, management and restoration of our freshwater ecosystems and its unique freshwater flora and fauna. And, overarchingly, the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) compels us to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the full breadth of SDGs.

All of these efforts demonstrate how the international community is working to ensure positive outcomes for people and nature at the same time, and everyone has a role to play. From local efforts to plant trees and restore intricate waterways, to immense multinational restoration efforts that involve huge swathes of our land and seascapes, there is an opportunity for us all to act now to support, engage and implement impact.

United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre

To enable global transformation to a sustainable future, the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) provides strategic leadership, technical expertise and evidence-based support to our partners on effective ecosystem restoration and species recovery. We aim to support the global community through legal, policy and planning frameworks that can scale-up efficient action to achieve restoration ambitions at local to global scales; support and deliver an accessible knowledge base allowing planners and practitioners to prioritize effective restoration efforts that deliver measurable, long-term environmental, social and economic benefits; and support monitoring to track and incentivize effective global restoration efforts and enhance adaptive management. Notes

1 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), The State of the World’s Forests 2020. Forests, biodiversity and people Rome, 2020), p. 13. Available at:  https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8642en  

2 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), Eduardo Sonnewend Brondízio and others, eds., Global assessment report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Bonn, Germany, IPBES, 2018), p. XXVIII. Available at https://www.ipbes.net/global-assessment

3 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020. Sustainability in action. (Rome, 2020), p. 54. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9229en

4 Ibid., p. 146

5  United Nations, Sustainable Development Goal 6 Synthesis Report 2018 on Water and Sanitation. Executive Summary , p. 12. Available at: https://www.unwater.org/app/uploads/2018/05/UN-Water_SDG6_Synthesis_Report_2018_Executive_Summary_ENG.pdf

6  Bernardo B.N. Strassburg and others, “Global priority areas for ecosystem restoration”,  Nature 586(7831), 724-729. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2784-9

7 Timm Kroeger, “Dollars and Sense: Economic Benefits and Impacts from two Oyster Reef Restoration Projects in the Northern Gulf of Mexico”, The Nature Conservancy, 2012, p.7. Available at: http://www.oyster-restoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/oyster-restoration-study-kroeger.pdf

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UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

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• Published: 14 October 2020

Global priority areas for ecosystem restoration

• Bernardo B. N. Strassburg   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8598-3020 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ,
• Alvaro Iribarrem 1 , 2 ,
• Hawthorne L. Beyer 5 ,
• Carlos Leandro Cordeiro 1 , 2 ,
• Renato Crouzeilles 1 , 2 , 3 ,
• Catarina C. Jakovac 1 , 2 , 6 ,
• André Braga Junqueira 1 , 2 , 7 ,
• Eduardo Lacerda 1 , 2 , 8 ,
• Agnieszka E. Latawiec 1 , 2 , 9 , 10 ,
• Andrew Balmford 11 ,
• Thomas M. Brooks 12 , 13 , 14 ,
• Stuart H. M. Butchart   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1140-4049 11 , 15 ,
• Robin L. Chazdon   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7349-5687 2 , 16 , 17 , 18 ,
• Karl-Heinz Erb   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8335-4159 19 ,
• Pedro Brancalion 20 ,
• Graeme Buchanan 21 ,
• David Cooper   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4538-205X 22 ,
• Sandra Díaz   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0012-4612 23 ,
• Paul F. Donald 11 , 15 , 21 ,
• Valerie Kapos   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5739-8262 24 ,
• David Leclère   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8658-1509 25 ,
• Lera Miles   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0377-5904 24 ,
• Michael Obersteiner   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6981-2769 25 , 26 ,
• Christoph Plutzar 19 , 27 ,
• Carlos Alberto de M. Scaramuzza 2 ,
• Fabio R. Scarano   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3355-9882 3 &
• Piero Visconti 25  

Nature volume  586 ,  pages 724–729 ( 2020 ) Cite this article

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• Biodiversity
• Climate-change mitigation
• Conservation biology
• Restoration ecology

Matters Arising to this article was published on 07 September 2022

An Author Correction to this article was published on 30 August 2022

Matters Arising to this article was published on 13 July 2022

This article has been updated

Extensive ecosystem restoration is increasingly seen as being central to conserving biodiversity 1 and stabilizing the climate of the Earth 2 . Although ambitious national and global targets have been set, global priority areas that account for spatial variation in benefits and costs have yet to be identified. Here we develop and apply a multicriteria optimization approach that identifies priority areas for restoration across all terrestrial biomes, and estimates their benefits and costs. We find that restoring 15% of converted lands in priority areas could avoid 60% of expected extinctions while sequestering 299 gigatonnes of CO 2 —30% of the total CO 2 increase in the atmosphere, or 14% of total emissions, since the Industrial Revolution. The inclusion of several biomes is key to achieving multiple benefits. Cost effectiveness can increase up to 13-fold when spatial allocation is optimized using our multicriteria approach, which highlights the importance of spatial planning. Our results confirm the vast potential contributions of restoration to addressing global challenges, while underscoring the necessity of pursuing these goals synergistically.

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Landscape management strategies for multifunctionality and social equity

Areas of global importance for conserving terrestrial biodiversity, carbon and water

Roles of the Red List of Ecosystems in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Data availability.

All input datasets are available from the references cited. All output datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Code availability

R codes developed for and used in this analysis are available upon request from the corresponding author.

Change history

30 august 2022.

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05178-y

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Acknowledgements

B.B.N.S. acknowledges that this work was supported by the Serrapilheira Institute (grant number Serra-1709-19329). We acknowledge inputs from the Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity and experts from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. We are very grateful for the support provided by F. Gomes, J. Krieger, I. Leite, R. Capellão, G. Duarte, L. Martinez, L. Oliveira and D. Rocha in the preparation of this manuscript.

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Bernardo B. N. Strassburg, Alvaro Iribarrem, Carlos Leandro Cordeiro, Renato Crouzeilles, Catarina C. Jakovac, André Braga Junqueira, Eduardo Lacerda & Agnieszka E. Latawiec

International Institute for Sustainability, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Bernardo B. N. Strassburg, Alvaro Iribarrem, Carlos Leandro Cordeiro, Renato Crouzeilles, Catarina C. Jakovac, André Braga Junqueira, Eduardo Lacerda, Agnieszka E. Latawiec, Robin L. Chazdon & Carlos Alberto de M. Scaramuzza

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School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

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Contributions

B.B.N.S. conceived the study, coordinated the development of the multicriteria approach, led the analyses and wrote the first version of the paper. A.I., H.L.B. and B.B.N.S. led the multicriteria modelling. T.M.B., R.C., R.L.C. and S.H.M.B. helped with the development of the multicriteria approach. A.I., H.L.B., C.L.C., E.L., C.C.J., A.B.J., R.C., K.-H.E. and B.B.N.S. developed input datasets. S.H.M.B., G.B., P.F.D., K.-H.E. and C.P. contributed data. D.C., C.A.d.M.S. and F.R.S. helped with the interface with policy applications. B.B.N.S., A.I., H.L.B., C.L.C., R.C., C.C.J., A.B.J., E.L., A.E.L., A.B., T.M.B., S.H.M.B., R.L.C., P.B., D.C., S.D., V.K., L.M., D.L., M.O. and P.V. analysed the results. All authors provided input into subsequent versions of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Bernardo B. N. Strassburg .

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Extended data figures and tables

Extended data fig. 1 converted lands and their estimated original ecosystem type..

a , Percentages of converted areas in each planning unit; current croplands and pasturelands are included as potentially restorable areas. b – f , Percentages of converted lands within each original ecosystem type: forests ( b ), natural grasslands ( c ), shrublands ( d ), wetlands ( e ) and arid areas ( f ). Areas in darker grey in b – f represent the current extent of each ecosystem type.

Extended Data Fig. 2 Benefits of ecosystem restoration for biodiversity conservation, the mitigation of climate change and associated costs.

a , Benefits for biodiversity were calculated as the number of avoided extinctions per hectare for all species combined. The map represents the starting situation with current vegetation cover before any restoration takes place. b , Benefits for climate change are calculated as the difference between the potential carbon stored after ecosystem restoration and the carbon currently stored in the agricultural lands. ‘Stock’ refers to carbon in the above- and belowground biomass and down to 30 cm in the soil, include above and belowground biomass and soil carbon sequestration. c , Costs consist of opportunity costs, based on the foregone agricultural benefits of areas allocated for restoration, and restoration implementation costs.

Extended Data Fig. 3 Areas potentially available for restoration and their relative priority across subregions.

a – f , For each of the 17 subregions of IPBES, the horizontal bars show their relative priority percentile for the main scenarios focused on biodiversity ( a ), climate change mitigation ( b ), minimizing costs ( c ), biodiversity and climate change mitigation ( d ) and all three criteria ( e ); the last panel ( f ) shows absolute areas. South America has the greatest extent of converted lands that are relatively evenly distributed in the top 50% of global priorities, whereas the Caribbean has the smallest extent of areas potentially available for restoration—but almost all of them are in the top 10% of global priorities. The patterns in relative priority for restoration for each subregion change substantially across the different restoration scenarios, which further highlights the importance of using multicriteria optimizations that take into account several benefits of restoration simultaneously.

Extended Data Fig. 4 Cost-efficiency of climate change mitigation for main scenarios.

The curves show, for the 5 main scenarios and across 20 targets ranging from 5% to 100%, the carbon value required to cover both opportunity and restoration costs. These results underscore the cost effectiveness of restoration as a climate mitigation option, as carbon values are in the lower range of low and medium mitigation costs according to the IPCC 1 .

Extended Data Fig. 5 Distribution of major ecosystem types that could be restored.

Dominant estimated predisturbance ecosystem type in each cell; for the fraction of each ecosystem type per cell, see Extended Data Fig. 1 .

Extended Data Fig. 6 Accuracy of original ecosystem-cover predictions.

a – f , The accuracy of the predictions of the original proportion of each ecosystem type in each planning unit was quantified using the root mean square error (r.m.s.e.). To better understand any heterogeneity in prediction accuracy, we calculated the r.m.s.e. separately for each of the five land-cover classes (forest, grassland, shrubland, wetland and desert) in addition to the overall r.m.s.e. Overall, predictive accuracy was excellent (total r.m.s.e 6.73%, f ) with relatively little variation among the five land-cover types: forests, 4.0% ( a ); grasslands, 1.7% ( b ); shrublands, 4.3% ( c ); wetlands, 1.2% ( d ); and arid areas, 2.6% ( e ).

Extended Data Fig. 7 Fraction of converted lands available for restoration after closing yield gaps.

Combining yield gaps for croplands and pasturelands, the map indicates the fraction of a planning unit that could be spared if 75% of its yield gap were to be closed.

Extended Data Fig. 8 Global and national priority areas for restoration.

For the multiple benefits scenario and 15% restoration target, areas in green are selected both in the globally unconstrained scenario and in a scenario constrained by national boundaries; areas in red are selected only in the global scenario and areas in blue are selected only in the national version of the scenario. A substantial fraction (69%) of global priority areas would not be restored using uniform national targets. As most of these areas are in lower-income countries, the results reinforce the role that international cooperation mechanisms such as REDD+ can have in achieving cost-effective global outcomes through restoration.

Extended Data Fig. 9 Sensitivity analysis with future land-use change.

a , b , In the pessimistic regional rivalries SSP3 scenario 83 , substantial conversion would happen until 2050 ( a ), and—as a consequence—some priority areas would shift towards newly converted areas of high endemic and threatened biodiversity that are also rich in carbon, in particular in Africa ( b ). c – f , Despite this, the restored fraction in each planning unit would be very similar to those based on 2015 land-use ( c ) (r.m.s.e. = 13%), and 2050 outcomes for biodiversity ( d ), climate ( e ) and costs ( f ) would be within the uncertainty range of 2015 estimates. Although the reduction in extinction debt would be slightly lower in 2050 (55% versus 60%), the extinction debt itself would be 25% higher (10% versus 8% in 2015), so absolute extinctions avoided would be higher.

Extended Data Fig. 10 Comparisons between potential biomass carbon stocks calculated in this study and other estimates.

Comparisons between our estimates of potential carbon stocks in biomass (above and below-ground) and estimates from ref. 24 : Forest Resources Assessment (FRA)-related map (FAO) and remote-sensing based map. Box plots are based on pixel-level estimates of carbon stocks per ha in each biome, have the same sample size (pixels) across maps, and show the median (vertical lines), the interquartile range (bounding boxes) minimum and maximum values (whiskers).

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Strassburg, B.B.N., Iribarrem, A., Beyer, H.L. et al. Global priority areas for ecosystem restoration. Nature 586 , 724–729 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2784-9

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Ecosystem Restoration: What, Why, How, and Where?

Our world contains many ecosystems, from tropical forests to coral reefs to urban parks. Ecosystems help us in important ways, including cleaning our air and water, storing carbon, and producing food. People have been shaping most ecosystems for at least 12,000 years. Human impact has become so intense that many ecosystems are now threatened. That is why the United Nations has decided that the next 10 years are the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. But what is ecosystem restoration and how do we do it? In this article, we will tell you why ecosystem restoration is important and why it can be difficult. We will explain how it can be done well, and give examples from a range of projects. Successful restoration must include local people and requires lots of data. Restoration should not always return ecosystems back to what they were like once before.

Have you ever wondered how you can help the ecosystems around you? Or why they might need help?

Many human activities affect Earth’s natural ecosystems , including the foods we eat, the clothes we wear, and the things we do. People have been changing ecosystems around the world for more than 12,000 years—for example, by hunting animals, cutting down forests, introducing new species, and draining wetlands [ 1 ]. In the last 250 years, human impacts have become much bigger. One fifth of the world’s land has been degraded (harmed), which affects the livelihood or health of 3.2 billion people and makes animal, plant, and fungus species go extinct . That is why the United Nations (UN) declared the next 10 years the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration . Countries are working together to improve ecosystems for both people and nature. This is an exciting time for ecosystem restoration! But what does ecosystem restoration mean, and how is it done?

Why Do Ecosystems Need Restoring?

Ecosystems provide us with many benefits. They clean our water and air, and they are home to many organisms, including plant species used in medicines. Ecosystems store carbon, so they combat climate change. Healthy ecosystems can cope with, and bounce back from, natural events like volcanic eruptions, landslides, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.

People can degrade ecosystems in many ways, through pollution, climate change, overgrazing by livestock, and biodiversity loss. Degraded ecosystems do not recover as well as healthy ones. A downward spiral of ecosystem degradation can result. Over time, ecosystems can become so damaged that they cannot recover without help. This can reverse their benefits—degraded ecosystems can pollute water and release carbon. Ecosystem restoration aims to get degraded ecosystems back on track.

How Do We Know What to Aim For?

To restore an ecosystem, we need to know what the ecosystem was like when it was healthy. For example, we can plant the original tree species in a forest that was cut down, or flood wetlands that were drained. If we do not have a record of the previous state of an ecosystem, we can study healthy ecosystems of the same type. Satellite pictures can show us how ecosystems have changed over time. Talking to indigenous peoples or local people who know the area best can also provide important information.

To look back in time, scientists can also study the mud. By studying tiny fossils of pollen or algae to understand when they entered the mud, or by studying the chemistry of the soil, scientists can obtain clues telling us about what ecosystems were like before humans came along. This method was used to help restore the Coorong (pronounced “koo-rong”), a protected wetland near the sea in Australia. The Coorong is home to a group of Indigenous people called the Ngarrindjeri Nation (“en-gar-rin-dee-jeeri”). The Coorong is also used for fishing, farming, and leisure. Using clues from the mud, scientists found that this wetland had become drier than it has been for more than 7,000 years! It had become too salty for many plant and animal species to live in. The ecosystem is now being restored—the flow of fresh water to the Coorong is increasing and species are starting to return .

Many ecosystems are so damaged that we cannot restore them to what they used to be. And as the climate changes, ecosystems must change too. Many scientists argue that we should rehabilitate ecosystems instead of restoring them. This means adapting an ecosystem so that it copes with today’s conditions. After all, humans are here to stay.

How Does Ecosystem Restoration Work?

People around the world are repairing the damage done to degraded ecosystems. Ecosystem restoration projects can take many forms and can apply to ecosystems of various types and sizes. One project may focus on a single stream; another may span multiple countries. Projects often start by removing the thing that is causing the damage in the first place. For instance, keeping deer out of a forest, to protect young trees from being eaten, may allow the forest to grow again. Stopping people from taking peat from a wetland for compost or fuel can allow the wetland to recover. Sometimes this is enough, and the ecosystem restores itself. But sometimes we need a more hands-on approach to ecosystem restoration. We may need to bring back native species or change the land surface.

There are many ecosystem restoration projects happening all over the world ( Figure 1 ). For example, beavers have been restored to the River Otter in Devon, England. Beavers are ecosystem engineers —they build small dams, which create ponds full of wildlife. After only 5 years, many beaver dams have been built on the River Otter. These dams have increased the number of fish and have stopped a village from flooding, protecting local people and their homes . Another beaver project was undertaken in Knapdale Forest, Scotland ( Figure 2 ). There, beavers have built canals, supporting animals, and water-plants [ 2 ].

• Figure 1 - Ecosystem restoration projects are occurring around the world.
• Projects mentioned in the text are shown and labeled in blue. Others are shown in pink. More information about each project is included in the interactive version of this map, available at https://obaines.github.io/frontiers_restoration/restoration_map.html .

• Figure 2 - The benefits of the beaver reintroduction in Loch Collie Bharr, Knapdale, Scotland.
• Beavers create new wetland habitats by building dams and shape the ecosystem around them [Image credit (top left): Katie Smith].

Animals have also been brought back into larger areas. Wolves were missing from Yellowstone National Park (USA) since the 1920s. Without wolves eating elk, the elk multiplied. They ate too much vegetation, destroying the habitats of other animals. Without the protection of plants, riverbanks eroded and the river became wider and more damaging. In the 1990s, wolves were brought back. Now there are fewer elk, and the vegetation has recovered. Habitats are more diverse again—many animal species, including birds, beavers, and bison, have returned to Yellowstone. Plants have stabilized the riverbanks, so the river and floodplain are healthier [ 3 ].

The Great Green Wall project is very large. It aims to plant a wall of local plants in 11 countries, across the entire width of Africa. The project will restore 100 million hectares of degraded land in the Sahel, a dry ecosystem on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The project aims to increase food, water, and energy supplies. It will create 10 million green jobs by 2030, and improve gender equality. Between 2007 and 2020, 18 million hectares have been restored—that is over 25 million football pitches !

Where Do Humans Fit in?

The most successful ecosystem restoration projects tend to involve local people, including Indigenous peoples. One example is in the Chiquitania region of Bolivia, South America. There, scientists are working with the Indigenous Chiquitano (“chic-ee-tan-no”) people to restore dry forests . Seasonal dry forests are important ecosystems that store carbon and are home to unique species such as jaguars and prickly acacia trees. Indigenous peoples rely on nature and often have a close relationship with it. So, restoration projects can benefit from their knowledge .

Towns and cities can also be thought of as ecosystems! They only cover 1% of the Earth, but more than half of all people live in them. When they are healthy, these urban ecosystems bring many benefits. Urban ecosystems can clean air, soil, and water, and cool cities during heatwaves. Parks, urban forests, green roofs, and street trees all help. They are good for human physical and mental health, encouraging us to get outside, and be active. People are also protected from natural hazards such as flooding.

In the city of Shanghai, China, the government realized that Suzhou Creek was very polluted—it was smelly and no fish had been seen since 1970. In 2003, reed beds and plant ponds were created. Machines put oxygen back into the water. Fish, plants, and insects now thrive there. People living nearby can enjoy this ecosystem and learn about restoration [ 4 ]! Another project, in Nottingham, England, aims to turn an old shopping center into a new urban green-space ( Figure 3 ). Urban ecosystem restoration will help our future. We can improve where we live, for both humans and nature.

• Figure 3 - Broadmarsh Reimagined (Nottingham, England).
• An artist’s painting of a future urban ecosystem where the Broadmarsh Shopping Center once was. Trees, shrubs, flowers, grassland, and ponds will be created, allowing wildlife to live in the city center and providing green-space for people to enjoy (Image credit: Influence https://www.influence.co.uk/ ).

Restoring Ecosystems For the Future

The Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to deliver restoration projects across the world over the next 10 years. Ten years to restore ecosystems might seem like a long time, but it is not. Trees can grow for hundreds of years! In fact, a big problem with restoration is how little time we have. To protect biodiversity and slow down climate change, we need healthy ecosystems. We need to act quickly and involve as many people as possible, including Indigenous peoples and young people. Working with local communities is key to these projects.

Young people have the most to lose and the most to gain. Perhaps you can get involved with a project near you!

Ecosystem : ↑ A group of organisms and the physical environment where they live (rock, soils, streams, etc.), functioning as a unit.

Ecosystem Restoration : ↑ Making an ecosystem work as well as it used to. This can mean changing it back to the way it was, or helping it adapt to a new situation.

Biodiversity : ↑ The variety of life on Earth, including all the plants, animals, and fungi that live in an environment.

Ecosystem Degradation : ↑ When an ecosystem breaks down and works less well over time.

Indigenous Peoples : ↑ Groups of people with ancient ties to a location that has unique value to them and is part of their identity.

Ecosystem Engineers : ↑ Species that create, change, maintain, and destroy habitats. These organisms have a big impact on those around them and on the wider landscape.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that this study received funding from British Geological Survey. The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

CP, OB, ED, and LH are supported by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) ENVISION Doctoral Training Partnership Grants. LH is also supported by the British Geological Survey. The authors thank Chloe Field for reviewing a draft of this article and for her helpful suggestions, and Katie Smith and Influence ( https://www.influence.co.uk/ ) for allowing us to reproduce their work [Beaver illustration ( Figure 2 ) and “Broadmarsh Reimagined” illustration ( Figure 3 ), respectively]. We would also like to thank the young reviewers for their enthusiasm and suggestions, which helped us make this article better.

[1] ↑ Ellis, E. C., Gauthier, N., Goldewijk, K. K., Bird, R. B., Boivin, N., Díaz, S., et al. 2021. People have shaped most of terrestrial nature for at least 12,000 years. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 118:e2023483118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2023483118

[2] ↑ Jones, S., and Campbell-Palmer, R. 2014. The Scottish Beaver Trial: The Story of Britain’s First Licensed Release Into the Wild. Available online at: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/003_143__scottishbeavertrialfinalreport_dec2014_1417710135-3-compressed.pdf (accessed November 25, 2021).

[3] ↑ Beschta, R. L., and Ripple, W. J. 2012. The role of large predators in maintaining riparian plant communities and river morphology. Geomorphology . 157–158:88–98. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.04.042

[4] ↑ Li, X., Manman, C., Anderson, B. 2008. Design and performance of a water quality treatment wetland in a public park in Shanghai, China. Ecol. Eng. 35:18–24. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.07.007

Preventing, Halting and Reversing Loss of Nature

Are you part of a successful drive to restore Earth? New Call Open to be recognized as UN World Restoration Flagship

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There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now..

Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent a mass extinction. It will only succeed if everyone plays a part.

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Gondwana Link restoring ecosystem connectivity in Australia

Grasslands, shrublands and savannahs.

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Seeding 100m trees to restore Borneo’s rainforests

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Project Seagrass: making waves to save our seas

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Types of Ecosystems

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Grasslands, shrublands and savannahs cover approximately half of the world’s terrestrial surface. Distributed from Eurasia and Patagonia to Africa and Australia they are home to millions of people including pastoralists, ranchers, fishers and hunter-gatherers, and contribute to the livelihoods, health and food security of billions more.

Present in more than 180 countries, peatlands are vital, super-powered ecosystems.

Urban areas

Urban areas occupy less than 1 per cent of the Earth’s land surface but house more than half of its people.

Farmlands now cover more than one-third of the Earth's land surface and are perhaps our most vital ecosystems to sustain human-kind.

Oceans and coasts

We live on a blue planet, with oceans and seas covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth.

Freshwaters

Freshwater ecosystems supply food, water and energy to billions of people, protect us from droughts and floods, and provide unique habitat for many plants and animals, including one third of all vertebrate species.

Forests and trees make Earth liveable. They provide us with clean air and water.

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Essay on Ecosystem Restoration

Ecosystem restoration, or ecological restoration, is restoring an ecosystem to its natural state cost-effectively and sustainably. In other words, ecosystem restoration refers to restoring ecosystems that have been damaged or disrupted by human activity or natural causes. Ecological restoration aims to create a healthy environment for humans and other organisms. Environmental restoration may involve removing invasive species, reintroducing native species, restoring hydrological balance, or any number of different activities intended to improve an area’s biodiversity and health. There is a lot of pressure on open spaces and natural resources. These projects can range from efforts that simply involve removing invasive species to more complicated ones like bringing back extinct animals . BYJU’S essay on ecosystem restoration explains the significance of the restoration of the environment .

The process of ecosystem restoration is the deliberate and systematic efforts to recreate or replace an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. The process is cyclical, where new plants and animals are reintroduced into the area, followed by predators to keep populations in check. The result should be a fully functioning, sustainable ecosystem, much like before it was disrupted. To learn more about the importance of ecosystem restoration, read a short essay on ecosystem restoration.

Importance of Ecosystem Restoration

Ecosystem restoration is essential for many reasons. It helps replenish the number of species in an ecosystem. When an ecosystem declines, there are more disease outbreaks and changes in food webs. Wild animals also struggle to find enough resources. Ecosystems also need restoration because they often fail to recover after catastrophic events. BYJU’S essay writing on ecosystem keeps us informed about the need to restore the environment.

The goal of ecosystem restoration is to improve biodiversity and its health. Efforts are made to repair damages caused by humans and natural disasters. To do this, we need many volunteers willing to dedicate their time to the task. The first thing that an ecosystem restoration team will do is assess the damage and then develop a restoration plan. They would also map out all of the human-made structures in the area and then survey them for any hazardous materials. They would try to keep these structures intact as much as possible because they can often be used in the future for things such as trails or wildlife corridors.

The ecosystems humans have impacted are not as resilient as they once were. Many of the natural habitats that animals live in today have been converted for other land uses or damaged by human activities. The need for these animals is more significant than ever, but restoration of their habitats and the species they rely on can be complex. There are many things that humans can do to make it easier on these animals, such as protecting and restoring critical habitat patches, improving outdoor areas for wildlife, and knowledgeable removal of invasive species.

To conclude, restoring the ecosystem plays a vital role in protecting our mother Earth . By restoring the balance of natural habitats and ecosystems, animals can live in areas that best suit their needs. It is our responsibility as humans to save our nature . For more essays, poems and stories , visit BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it essential to restore the ecosystem.

Ecosystem restoration is significant because it preserves biodiversity and improves the environment. When an ecosystem is restored, it increases the survival rate of endangered animals. It also promotes a healthy environment by reducing environmental stressors like pollution, making room for new species to thrive, and creating more biodiverse habitats.

Why should we restore the ecosystem?

We should restore the ecosystem because it provides many benefits, such as food and water, that make life possible for living beings on the Earth. It also helps make Earth more resilient to extreme weather events like hurricanes, landslides, and forest fires.

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1000 Words Essay on Ecosystem Restoration in English Medium for Students

1000 Words Essay on Ecosystem Restoration in English Medium for Students – Ecosystem restoration is a critical component of efforts to combat environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. As the world faces unprecedented challenges such as climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution, the need for restoring degraded ecosystems has become increasingly urgent. This essay explores the importance of ecosystem restoration, its benefits, challenges, and the strategies needed to achieve successful restoration efforts.

Ecosystem restoration involves the repair and renewal of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, aiming to bring them back to a more natural and functional state. It encompasses a range of activities, from replanting forests and reintroducing native species to restoring wetlands and cleaning up polluted areas. The goal is not only to rehabilitate the environment but also to enhance ecosystem services, such as clean water, air purification, and carbon sequestration, which are vital for human well-being.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Ecosystem Restoration

Ecosystems provide a wide range of services that are essential for human survival and well-being. They regulate the climate, purify air and water, pollinate crops, control pests, and provide food, medicine, and raw materials. However, human activities such as deforestation, industrial agriculture, urbanization, and pollution have led to the degradation and destruction of many ecosystems, resulting in loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, water scarcity, and climate change. Ecosystem restoration is essential for reversing these trends and ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the planet.

Benefits of Ecosystem Restoration

Ecosystem restoration offers a wide range of benefits, both ecological and socio-economic. Restored ecosystems are more resilient to environmental stresses such as droughts, floods, and storms, reducing the risk of disasters and their associated costs. They also provide habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal species, helping to conserve biodiversity and prevent extinctions. In addition, restored ecosystems can provide valuable resources such as timber, fish, and clean water, supporting local communities and economies.

Examples of Successful Ecosystem Restoration

There are many examples of successful ecosystem restoration projects around the world. One notable example is the restoration of the Loess Plateau in China, where large-scale soil erosion and degradation were causing widespread poverty and environmental problems. Through a combination of reforestation, terracing, and soil conservation measures, the Chinese government has transformed the region into a productive and sustainable landscape, improving the lives of millions of people.

Challenges of Ecosystem Restoration

Despite its many benefits, ecosystem restoration is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is funding, as restoration projects can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition, there may be technical challenges such as finding suitable native species for reforestation or controlling invasive species. Social and political factors can also present challenges, such as conflicting land use interests or lack of support from local communities. Finally, the long-term success of restoration projects may be uncertain, as ecosystems are complex and dynamic systems that can be difficult to predict and manage.

Strategies for Successful Ecosystem Restoration

To overcome these challenges, it is essential to adopt a holistic and adaptive approach to ecosystem restoration. This includes setting clear goals and objectives, conducting thorough scientific assessments, involving local communities and stakeholders in the decision-making process, and monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of restoration efforts over the long term. It also requires cooperation and collaboration between governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities at local, national, and international levels.

The Role of Technology in Ecosystem Restoration

Technology can play a crucial role in ecosystem restoration by providing innovative solutions to complex problems. For example, remote sensing technology can be used to monitor changes in land use and vegetation cover over time, allowing for more accurate assessments of ecosystem health and restoration progress. Similarly, genetic technologies can be used to identify and propagate native species that are well-adapted to local conditions, improving the success of reforestation and revegetation efforts. In addition, advances in robotics and automation can help to reduce the cost and labor required for restoration activities such as planting trees or controlling invasive species.

The Importance of Policy and Governance

Effective policies and governance structures are essential for supporting and guiding ecosystem restoration efforts. This includes laws and regulations that protect natural habitats, promote sustainable land use practices, and provide incentives for ecosystem restoration. It also requires strong institutions and mechanisms for coordinating and implementing restoration activities, as well as for resolving conflicts and disputes between different stakeholders. International cooperation is also important, particularly for addressing transboundary issues such as deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Ecosystem restoration is essential for addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing the planet today. By restoring degraded ecosystems, we can improve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and create more resilient and sustainable landscapes for future generations. However, achieving successful restoration outcomes will require concerted effort, cooperation, and innovation from governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities around the world. With the right policies, technologies, and governance structures in place, we can create a more sustainable future for all. 1000 Words Essay on Ecosystem Restoration in English Medium for Students 

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Watery, Peaceful, Wild: The Call of the Mangroves

On Curaçao, visitors can explore the trees’ habitat, where colorful birds roost on tangled branches and trunks, and small paths through the greenery beckon.

The Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park offers guided tours, elevated boardwalks, programs for local schoolchildren and a tiered entrance-fee system for residents and overseas visitors. Credit... Frank Meyer for The New York Times

Supported by

By Elisabeth Goodridge

Elisabeth Goodridge is the deputy editor for travel at The New York Times.

• May 8, 2024

It was a sunny afternoon in February at the height of the high season on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, but my partner, Aaren, and I were far from lounging on a white-sand beach, snorkeling over a coral reef or strolling among the Easter-egg-colored buildings of Willemstad, Curaçao’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site — typical activities for travelers to this former Dutch colony.

Instead, on a kayak tour with Serlon St Jago, a guide from the Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park , we were learning about the country’s mangrove restoration, and the vital role mangrove habitats play in coastal resilience, protection for marine and bird species, and fighting the effects of climate change.

No poisonous snakes, alligators or large predators live on Curaçao, Mr. St Jago said, reassuring information as we paddled toward a forbidding wall of mangroves lining Piscadera Bay. Up close, the trees were magnificent and cheerful. Colorful birds roosted on tangled branches and trunks, and small paths under the green and occasionally yellow leaves beckoned us to explore. With our kayaks beached, Mr. St Jago pointed out fiddler crabs and mussels, and described differences of the local mangrove species — the red, white and black — and how they adapted to live and propagate where water meets land.

“There’s so much life here,” he said with infectious enthusiasm.

We were the only tourists on the water, but getting more visitors like us interested in mangroves, perhaps even persuading them to replant some of the vital trees themselves, has been a priority of scientists, activists, park rangers and tourism operators on Curaçao in recent years.

The island isn’t alone in its efforts: Similar mangrove-focused work has started around the world, in places like Indonesia , Australia , Belize and Florida , as fragile destinations balance tourism’s growth with the conservation — and restoration — of the natural resources that captivate visitors.

“Coral reefs get all the attention. But mangroves are probably a lot more important,” said Gabby Ahmadia , a vice president with the oceans program at the World Wildlife Fund who oversees the organization’s mangrove science and restoration programs. “My favorite analogy about mangroves is that they are Swiss Army knives, because they do provide so many different benefits and they can do so many different things.”

Though these forests are one degree of separation from the sights and the activities that traditionally draw visitors to the ocean, changing perceptions might be hard. To protect the environment, mangrove kayak tours can be — as are most snorkel, fishing and bird-watching tours offered in other destinations — limited by number, and visitors must be interested in the first place. With their summer reads and beach toys, family traditions and limited vacation days, most tourists might simply agree with the old saying “Life is better at the beach.”

A foundation of life

The twisty branches, trunks and distinctive aboveground roots of mangroves are a stark, complex repudiation of how a child’s drawing portrays a common tree. The roots can arch up, pop up spikelike from the water or form stilts above and under the surface. Adapted to oxygen-poor soil, high salinity and the ebb and flow of an intertidal zone, coastal mangroves thrive where other trees and shrubs would perish. Unless they are yellow, the leaves are green, and some, if you lick them, taste salty.

Mangrove forests can appear impenetrable, muddy, smelly and swampy. For centuries, they have been cleared for firewood, farmland, urban development, aquaculture and, yes, tourism. On Curaçao, mangroves are now found on only 0.012 percent of the island. Globally, more than half of the mangrove forests have been cut down or otherwise destroyed in the past 50 years. Deforestation has slowed — but not stopped — in recent years, and rising sea levels and increased storm activity have done further damage.

But coastal mangroves — there are some 60 species worldwide — are the foundation of life above and below the water. With intricate root systems, they act as nurseries for juvenile fish and other marine life. Mangrove branches and trunks make safe feeding and nesting sites for yellow warblers , tricolored herons and other bird species, reptiles like iguanas, and insects aplenty.

Those strongly anchored roots also protect from flooding, erosion and tidal surges by slowing down seawater and trapping dirt and debris. More crucially, mangrove forests are extraordinary for decreasing the effects of global warming, by absorbing and storing carbon annually at a rate 10 times as great as tropical rainforests. Mangroves, along with other coastal wetlands, “sequester enough carbon each year to offset the burning of over one billion barrels of oil,” according to the Nature Conservancy .

Surreptitious beginnings

Ryan de Jongh, a 53-year-old Curaçao native, activist and tour guide, is the living embodiment of regenerative tourism. He’s an important reason we encountered a lush, thriving ecosystem in Piscadera Bay, and demonstrates how one person can make a difference.

Mr. de Jongh grew up swimming in the bay and watched the area’s mangroves being cleared for fuel and construction. In 2006, he surreptitiously planted the first mangrove tree — a single seedling can mature in around 15 years and lead to an entire thicket — and now, he said, more than 100,000 trees are growing. He made similarly stealthy plantings at other inlets and bays, making himself a local hero in the process.

Mr. de Jongh, who gives kayak tours himself , now works on widespread government-sanctioned restoration projects.

His aim is to eventually plant 1.3 million trees on the island. “I have to transform literally a desert back to green,” he said.

The interior of Curaçao certainly looks like a desert, with a dry, dusty landscape of cactus and other succulents. Along with its closest island neighbors, Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao is outside the Caribbean’s hurricane belt and receives minimal rainfall. People on the island drink desalinated seawater.

The trade winds bring cooler temperatures. In the 16th century, they also brought Europeans who enslaved and deported the Indigenous population and turned Curaçao into a slaving port. The colonists also planted oranges, sugar cane and other nonnative species, with varying degrees of success, and developed giant salt pans for export, but it was the construction of an oil refinery in 1918 and growing tourism that finally brought widespread jobs. The refinery shut down in 2019 — nine years after Curaçao voted to become a semiautonomous nation from the Netherlands — an event that only emphasized tourism’s importance for Curaçao’s economy. Last year, the island, only 40 miles long, welcomed 1.3 million visitors .

Aaren and I gladly did our part to support the economy: In Willemstad, that meant eating at Plasa Bieu , the Old Market, where individual vendors cook and sell local cuisine. We fought with each other over the fried wahoo and an arepa di pampuna — pumpkin pancake — but we were warned off the cactus soup. “I live here,” said another diner, “and I don’t even eat that.” We also snapped photos, like so many other visitors, while crossing the floating Queen Emma Bridge , and watched it open and close for marine traffic.

We waited in an hourlong, locals-heavy line at De Visserij Piscadera Seafood restaurant (“slaying and filleting” since 2017), where diners choose and purchase their fish fillets before sitting down; we drank oregano punch for the first time (think mint ice tea, but oregano and oh so refreshingly delicious); and we inhaled grilled shrimp and raw fresh tuna.

Further north, we ate “williburgers” — goat burgers — at Marfa’s GoodHangout in Sint Willibrordus, which overlooks an old salt pan that, sadly, the resident flamingoes absented that day, and delighted upon coming across a coral nursery while scuba diving right off the jam-packed Kokomo Beach.

Coral reefs are crucial to Curaçao’s tourism and fishing industries and valued at more than $445 million annually, according to a 2016 economic assessment published by the nonprofit Waitt Institute. And coral reefs, which support roughly 25 percent of all marine life, are enduring cataclysmic bleaching and disease brought on or compounded by climate change.

In the last 10 years, scientists have better understood the symbiosis between coral reefs and mangroves: They don’t need each other to exist, but proximity brings benefits to both ecosystems.

“Working in this field of conservation, you might come in from one entry point and then you realize everything is connected,” said Dr. Ahmadia of the W.W.F. “We can work on coral reefs, but we should be thinking about sea grass beds and mangroves, because they are all really connected. And then of course, they are connected to the human environment.”

One morning, Aaren and I walked through the 30-acre Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park , a short stroll from the center of Willemstad and a shorter one from the island’s cruise ship terminal. Open since 2022, the park offers guided and audio tours, elevated boardwalks, programs for local schoolchildren and a tiered entrance-fee system (guilders and U.S. dollars accepted) for residents and overseas visitors. Some 17,766 people came in 2023, an increase of 14,687 from 2022.

Manfred van Veghel is the new director of the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation, which oversees the mangrove park and five other national parks. Working with the government of Curaçao, local travel operators and activists like Mr. de Jongh, Dr. van Veghel aims to expand park access, construct an elevated bridge and add a visitor center, among other goals. The efforts are part of his desire to transform Curaçao into more of a nature-based tourist destination.

“We had a record last year and they are pushing to get more,” Dr. van Veghel said of Curaçao’s number of annual visitors. Yet, he said, the beaches are getting full. “So we need to get activities other than going to the beach — and the mangrove park is an excellent activity.”

Mark Spalding is a senior marine scientist with the Nature Conservancy and lead scientist of the Mapping Ocean Wealth initiative , an online tool that applies economic value to coastal ecosystems.

Dr. Spalding said a draw of mangrove activities, like boating and hiking, is that “without having to trek through the Amazon for hours and hours, you can get that sense of wilderness and experience, and also the peace and tranquillity very quickly and very easily.”

“It might only be two hours of your entire holiday,” he said, “but it’s the thing you take home with you — the story you tell.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this story misidentified an nongovernmental organization. It is the World Wildlife Fund, not World Wildlife Federation.

How we handle corrections

Elisabeth is the deputy editor for the Travel Desk at The New York Times. More about Elisabeth Goodridge

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

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Advancing social justice, promoting decent work ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations

Kenya's ecosystem restoration efforts received a boost with a four-day capacity-building workshop focusing on job creation and sustainable development

KENYA (ILO News)  -  In a bid to accelerate Kenya's ambitious plans for ecosystem restoration, a four-day capacity-building workshop was convened from March 12 to 15, 2024. The workshop aimed to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to advance the implementation of the National Landscape and Ecosystems Restoration Strategy. 

Spearheaded by President William Samoei Ruto, Kenya has set an ambitious target of achieving a 30% tree cover by 2032, encapsulated in the 15 billion tree planting initiative. This environmental restoration drive will contribute to reducing the effects of climate change and will even create jobs and livelihoods through promotion of enterprises and market driven skills using Nature Based Solutions (NbS). 

The workshop, a collaborative effort between the International Labour Organization (ILO) PROSPECTS project, the ILO's Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) , and the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITC-ILO) , targeted key stakeholders involved in the implementation of the restoration strategy. Participants included representatives from governmental bodies such as the 15 Billion Trees Secretariat, State Department for Forestry (SDF), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) , County Governments, Refugee-led Organizations, alongside national and international NGOs.

Lilyanne Ndinda, National Project Coordinator, ILO PROSPECTS, explained, “The primary objective of workshop was to build the capacity of these actors to integrate Decent Work, Green Works, and NbS principles into the national restoration strategy, fostering sustainable development and decent job creation.”

Key outcomes of the workshop included the introduction of a pro-employment and green jobs approach to ecosystem restoration initiatives. Initial estimates suggested the potential creation of between 400,000 to a million jobs annually through implementing the national strategy. 

Additionally, awareness sessions on climate change and biodiversity loss stressed their impact on livelihoods and emphasized the importance the national ecosystem and landscape restoration strategy. Integration of NbS principles into restoration efforts, particularly focusing on leveraging local resources and promoting inclusivity, was another significant milestone achieved during the workshop.

Moving forward, stakeholders identified concrete steps to further enhance restoration efforts. These include strengthening capacity building in NbS, developing productivity norms and data base on NbS, developing standards and guidelines for monitoring decent work within restoration projects, positioning Kenya as a champion for decent work in NbS through strategic partnerships, promoting gender-inclusive approaches in restoration activities, and aligning policies to scale up employment opportunities within restoration initiatives.

The workshop participants expressed optimism about the implementation of these strategies and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving Kenya's ambitious restoration goals. 

Veronica Nyambura Maingi, HR representative of 15B Tree Growing Secretariat and a participant shared, “Green Jobs can help us achieve goals of 15B initiative. The NbS training with ILO provokes a much more sustainable way in how to have an environment of enabling and creating jobs as it provides an all-rounder approach beyond planting. We received a better picture of value chains and enhancing livelihoods. “

The collaborative efforts showcased during the workshop mark a significant step towards realizing Kenya's vision for a greener and more sustainable future.

For further information, please contact Velo, Lilyanne, ([email protected] ) or Asfaw Kidanu ( [email protected] , Diego Portugal Del Pino - Associate programme officer on climate change and green works at ITCILO ([email protected] ). 

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How do beaver activities influence the biotic and abiotic characteristics of stream ecosystems?

Exploring the Role of Beavers in Stream Restoration and Climate Adaptation

Many regions are experiencing changes in stream temperatures due to climate change, which alters weather patterns and temperature regimes worldwide. As the air temperature increases, so do the temperatures of bodies of water. This temperature rise can have drastic effects on stream ecosystems. For example, cold water fish, such as trout and salmon, may struggle to survive in a warmer climate. Additionally, altered precipitation patterns, such as changes in the timing and intensity of rainfall, can lead to reduced summer stream flows. This decreases the availability of water for drinking and irrigation; Also, a certain amount of water flow is needed to maintain aquatic ecosystems.

(BBC, 2024)

Scientists are investigating adaptive strategies to mitigate these challenges associated with climate change, such as beaver reintroduction. Beavers can regulate stream environments through dam building. By creating ponds and wetlands, beavers can improve groundwater recharge, increase surface water storage, and moderate stream temperatures.

(Science Focus, 2023)

This research focused on 13 specific headwater stream reaches where 69 beavers were relocated.  In this study, the researchers assessed how the presence of beavers and their dam-building activities influenced water storage in the Snohomish River basin in Washington, USA. To do this, changes in both surface water storage (such as in ponds and wetlands created by beaver dams) and groundwater storage were measured. This was useful for understanding how much more water headwater streams could hold when beavers were relocated to streams. 

Another goal of this research was to examine the effects of beaver relocation on stream temperature. Through dam building, beavers create shaded areas and alter the flow dynamics of bodies of water. The researchers assessed changes in stream temperature before and after beaver relocation to determine how beavers influence stream temperatures. 

Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate how specific ecosystem changes due to beaver relocation contribute to the ecosystem’s resilience overall. In headwater riparian areas, researchers assessed factors such as habitat quality, species diversity, and ecosystem stability to determine how the activities of beavers influence ecosystems on a broader scale. 

The research showed that when beavers were relocated successfully, they created more water storage along the streams. For every 100 meters of stream, an extra 243 cubic meters of water was stored, mostly on the surface. The dams they built also stored groundwater, about 2.4 times more than surface water. 

As a result of the dams, downstream areas experienced a cooling effect, with the water temperature dropping by an average of 2.3°C during the summer. This suggests that beaver activities, like building dams, helped to cool down the water in the streams. 

The study also looked at different features of the beaver dams, such as age, condition, and how often they were maintained. These factors affected how much the water temperature changed in the streams. Overall, it was found that these dam characteristics played a role in determining the temperature changes observed in the streams. 

(Vox, 2023)

These results led the researchers to suggest beaver reintroduction as a helpful strategy for offsetting some negative effects of climate change in aquatic habitats. However, the effectiveness of beaver activities on climate change mitigation can be different based on regional and environmental factors. The researchers reference “regional specificity”, which means that the success of beaver reintroduction can depend on the characteristics of the area where beavers are reintroduced, These characteristics include climate, geography, geology, and existing ecosystem dynamics. For example, the soil in an area can affect how beavers build dams and create ponds. Soil that is rich in clay or silt is ideal for building sturdy dams, whereas sandy soils are far less sturdy and can erode quite easily. So, the soil composition in a region can impact how suitable a habitat is for beaver activity. If a habitat is less suitable for beavers, then beaver reintroduction would be less successful in offsetting climate change. 

In Vermont, beaver reintroduction would require planning, community engagement, and continued monitoring. The first step is identifying suitable habitats for beavers in Vermont. Researchers would need to assess certain ecosystem characteristics, such as soil composition. Additionally, researchers would need to consider the environmental impacts that beaver reintroduction would have on existing ecosystems. Beavers would be an introduced species, so they may cause unintended harm to native species or habitats. Engaging with local communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations is important for gaining support for the project. If beavers are reintroduced, it would be important to track beaver populations and assess their impact on both the ecosystem and the landscape. It may also be important to implement strategies to mitigate flooding and protect important habitats. While beaver reintroduction holds promise as a climate adaptation strategy, it is important to consider the specific characteristics of each region and how they may influence the outcomes of beaver activities.

Dittbrenner, Benjamin J., Jason W. Schilling, Christian E. Torgersen, and Joshua J. Lawler. “Relocated Beaver Can Increase Water Storage and Decrease Stream Temperature in Headwater Streams.” Ecosphere 13, no. 7 (July 2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4168 .

Jones, Benji. “Beavers Are Heat Wave Heroes.” Vox, July 22, 2022. https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/23273240/heat-wave-beavers-climate-change. 

Stallard, Mark Poynting and Esme. “How Climate Change Worsens Heatwaves, Droughts, Wildfires and Floods.” BBC News, April 25, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58073295. 

“Why Do Beavers Build Dams?” BBC Science Focus Magazine. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/why-do-beavers-build-dams.

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Rangeland Center

Mailing Address: U of I Moscow Natural Resources Bldg. Room 205 875 Perimeter Dr. MS 1135 Moscow, ID 83844-1135 Phone: 208-885-6536   Fax: 208-885-6564 Physical and Mailing Address:  U of I Boise Idaho Water Center Suite 242  322 E Front St. Boise, ID 83702 Phone: 208-364-3176

Email: [email protected]

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• Tim Prather - Senior Associate Director (Moscow)
• Eric Winford  - Associate Director (Boise)
• Joan Jones  - Editorial Assistant (Moscow)

Rangeland Center Faculty

College of natural resources:, natural resources and society department.

• Travis Paveglio  - Natural Resource Collaboration and Communication (Moscow) 
• Lee Vierling  - Department Head, Biogeochemistry, Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing (Moscow) 
• J.D. Wulfhorst  - Rural Sociology, Social Assessments and Community Resilience (Moscow) 
• Chris Zajchowski – Recreation Ecology (Moscow)

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• Charles Goebel  - Professor and Department Head of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences(Moscow)
• Jason Karl  - Landscape-scale Monitoring & Management (Moscow)
• Karen Launchbaugh   - Range Animal Behavior and Grazing Ecology (Moscow)
• Tim Link  - Wildland Hydrology and Watershed Management (Moscow)
• Eva Strand  -  Landscape, Fire and Rangeland Ecology (Moscow)
• Eric Winford - Rangeland Ecology and Management (Boise)

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• Nikki Dalton  - 4‐H Youth, Bannock County (Pocatello)
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• Jim Sprinkle - Beef Production (Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension & Education Center, Salmon)

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• Steve Cook  - Entomology, Insect Ecology and Management (Moscow)

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• Tim Prather  - Invasive Plant Ecology and Management/Rangeland Restoration (Moscow)
• Lisa Jones - Research Specialist/Weeds in Natural Areas (Moscow)

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• Laurel Lynch - Ecosystem Ecology/Biogeochemistry (Moscow)

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• Jeremy Kenyon  - Natural Resources Librarian (Moscow)
• Bruce Godfrey - GIS Specialist (Coeur d’Alene)

Affiliate Members

Affiliate members of the Rangeland Center are faculty or staff at other institutions or organizations that participate regularly in and contribute to Center projects and events.

• Bill Ebner – College of Southern Idaho
• April Hulet – Brigham Young University
• Sergio Arispe – Oregon State University Extension
• Will Price – Oregon State University Extension
• Kelly Hopping – Boise State University
• Jared Talley – Boise State University
• Tip Hudson – Washington State University Extension

Emeritus Members

• Neil Rimbey – Range Economics and Natural Resource Policy
• Paul McDaniel – Soil Science and Land Resources
• Ed Krumpe – Recreation and Wilderness
• Steve Bunting – Rangeland and Fire Ecology
• Penny Morgan – Wildland Fire Ecology & Management
• Glenn Shewmaker - Forage Management and Utilization

Rangeland Center University Leadership

• Dennis Becker - Dean, College of Natural Resources
• Michael Parrella  - Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Barbara Petty  - Associate Dean and Director of UI Extension

More From Forbes

From chaos to collaboration: the rise of alliance ecosystems.

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CEO of Momentum ITSMA , helping firms develop, embed and enable Account-Based Marketing strategies, and author of The ABM Effect.

In the ever-changing world of enterprise buying, alliance ecosystems are reshaping how businesses thrive and outperform others. Dynamic networks of strategic partners are driving new solution innovation, co-creating value for clients, and developing joint revenue growth. As clients demand more integrated solutions from suppliers, embedding an effective alliance ecosystem can be a winning strategy.

Orchestrating Success Together

Gone are the days when working with partners just meant entertaining them at an annual event and equipping them with a few emails and brochures to help them generate lead volume. It’s now far more complex—and potentially valuable.

My own company has witnessed a rapid shift in the expectations of our global buyers. They now demand much greater collaboration between their suppliers to help them reduce the complexity they’re wrestling with. As a result, we have seen how the ability to effectively co-create and innovate with alliance partners can help grow strategic clients in the short and long term. A business’s success may hinge on how effectively they work with partners to develop more holistic solutions to meet individual client needs. For those that are successful, the result is a win-win-win, creating increased value for both partners and clients.

A Powerful Driver Of Growth

Research from Canalys shows that 70% of worldwide IT spend flows through partners, and my company’s research has found that a majority of B2B organizations are maintaining or increasing investments in partners and alliances . As organizations strive for growth, alliance ecosystems have emerged as powerful drivers of success. Here's why:

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• Enhanced Customer Experience And Satisfaction: Collaborative alliance ecosystems can enable businesses to deliver more seamless solutions that address customer needs holistically. The integrated nature of these offerings can help create a superior customer experience, which can, in turn, lead to higher satisfaction and long-term loyalty.

• A Hotbed Of Innovation: In the pursuit of new avenues for growth and competitive advantage, organizations are turning to their partnerships. By tapping into diverse expertise and perspectives, businesses can cultivate fresh ideas, drive product and service breakthroughs, and stay ahead of market trends.

• Unlocking Competitive Edge: Research from Crossbeam has found that deals are 53% more likely to close (and 46% faster) when a partner is involved. Alliance ecosystems can provide the agility needed to navigate an ever-changing business landscape. By leveraging the strengths and resources of partners, organizations can adapt more swiftly, seize opportunities and outperform the market.

Creating An Effective Alliance Ecosystem

The path to establishing a thriving alliance ecosystem is not without challenges. Divergent goals, misaligned resources, knowledge gaps, internal conflicts and cumbersome processes can all result in a poor customer experience, which can ultimately destroy the potential value of the partnership.

Marketing can play a pivotal role in helping an organization achieve alliance success. I recommend letting your marketing team take the lead in informing and guiding the development of your partner ecosystem strategies, programs and activities. Prioritizing the right partners as strategic alliances, aligning resources, understanding account mix, and mapping the journey are important steps in building a robust ecosystem that can deliver what clients need.

Based on the Partner Collaboration framework developed by my company, here are five steps to help you tap into the full potential of your partners and drive strategic client growth as you build your alliance ecosystem.

1. Prioritize the best partnerships. Prioritize the partnerships that best align with your strategic clients’ needs and your goals. Focus on those who can bring added value, extend your capabilities and open new doors.

2. Determine the best alignments. Take time to understand how you and your alliance partners’ account development processes align and where they differ. Leverage the organizational capabilities already in place to ensure you focus on the right accounts to create bigger opportunities.

3. Define your shared value proposition. Work with your partners to define your shared, client-centric value proposition, and ensure your respective teams are equipped to articulate it to clients throughout the buying cycle. Collaborate with your partners to share market and client insights, and brainstorm new ideas about how to create new client value and unlock new opportunities. I recommend utilizing shared tech platforms and AI capabilities, as I have found that this can result in sharper and more effective engagement.

4. Agree on goals and reporting metrics upfront. This helps ensure that every party involved sees the potential value that can be generated. Reporting can pose a challenge when two different organizations with distinct reporting methodologies collaborate, so I advise keeping your reporting straightforward and tied to agreed-upon objectives.

5. Harmonize internal teams. It’s no good trying to build collaborative relationships with partners if your own teams aren’t aligned on the purpose and objectives. So, it’s important to agree on shared goals and KPIs across your key stakeholder groups, including sales, marketing, ABM and alliance management. Alongside agreeing on your shared goals, build a common understanding among all stakeholders of what you’re doing and why. This may include delving into the company's alliances strategy, identifying partner types and specializations, and defining the roles and responsibilities of alliance teams.

Understanding the nuances of marketing to, with, and through partners is important. Educate your sales and marketing teams on the value that partners can bring and how to build successful partnerships based on a win-win mindset. Nurturing commercial acumen among your team members and familiarizing them with sales data can empower them to effectively collaborate within the ecosystem and drive business together.

In the dynamic world of B2B, where competition is intense and clients demand constant innovation, embracing the power of partner ecosystems can be an effective driver of growth, help your organization deliver exceptional value to customers, and help you and your partners outperform the competition.

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Karl Marx Works 1844

Economic & Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 [1]

Written: Between April and August 1844; First Published: 1932; Source: Marx. Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844; Publisher: Progress Publishers, Moscow 1959; Translated: by Martin Milligan; Transcribed: for marxists.org by Andy Blunden in 2000; Proofed: and corrected by Matthew Carmody 2009; See alternate translation .

See also PDF version in one file .

First Manuscript

Wages of Labour Profit of Capital

1. Capital 2. The Profit of Capital 3. The Rule of Capital Over Labour and the Motives of the Capitalist 4. The Accumulation of Capitals and the Competition Among the Capitalists

Rent of Land Estranged Labour

Second Manuscript

Antithesis of Capital and Labour. Landed Property and Capital

Third Manuscript

Private Property and Labour Private Property and Communism Human Needs & Division of Labour Under the Rule of Private Property The Power Of Money Critique of the Hegelian Dialectic and Philosophy as a Whole

Hegel’s Construction of The Phenomenology , November 1844 Plan for a Work on The Modern State , November 1844

||XXXIX| I have already announced in the Deutsch-Französische Jahrbücher the critique of jurisprudence and political science in the form of a critique of the Hegelian philosophy of law . While preparing it for publication, the intermingling of criticism directed only against speculation with criticism of the various subjects themselves proved utterly unsuitable, hampering the development of the argument and rendering comprehension difficult. Moreover, the wealth and diversity of the subjects to be treated could have been compressed into one work only in a purely aphoristic style; whilst an aphoristic presentation of this kind, for its part, would have given the impression of arbitrary systematism. I shall therefore publish the critique of law, ethics, politics, etc., in a series of distinct, independent pamphlets, and afterwards try in a special work to present them again as a connected whole showing the interrelationship of the separate parts, and lastly attempt a critique of the speculative elaboration of that material. For this reason it will be found that the interconnection between political economy and the state, law, ethics, civil life, etc., is touched upon in the present work only to the extent to which political economy itself expressly touches upon these subjects.

It is hardly necessary to assure the reader conversant with political economy that my results have been attained by means of a wholly empirical analysis based on a conscientious critical study of political economy.

(Whereas the uninformed reviewer who tries to hide his complete ignorance and intellectual poverty by hurling the “ utopian phrase ” at the positive critic’s head, or again such phrases as “quite pure, quite resolute, quite critical criticism,” the “not merely legal but social – utterly social – society,” the “compact, massy mass,” the “outspoken spokesmen of the massy mass,” [2] this reviewer has yet to furnish the first proof that besides his theological family affairs he has anything to contribute to a discussion of worldly matters.)

It goes without saying that besides the French and English socialists I have also used German socialist works. The only original German works of substance in this science, however – other than Weitling’s writings – are the essays by Hess published in Einundzwanzig Bogen [3] and Umrisse zu einer Kritik der Nationalökonomie by Engels in the Deutsch-Französische Jahrbücher, where also the basic elements of this work have been indicated by me in a very general way.

(Besides being indebted to these authors who have given critical attention to political economy, positive criticism as a whole – and therefore also German positive criticism of political economy – owes its true foundation to the discoveries of Feuerbach , against whose Philosophie der Zukunft and Thesen zur Reform der Philosophie in the Anekdota, despite the tacit use that is made of them, the petty envy of some and the veritable wrath of others seem to have instigated a regular conspiracy of silence.

It is only with Feuerbach that positive, humanistic and naturalistic criticism begins. The less noise they make, the more certain, profound, extensive, and enduring is the effect of Feuerbach’s writings, the only writings since Hegel’s Phänomenologie and Logik to contain a real theoretical revolution.

In contrast to the critical theologians of our day, I have deemed the concluding chapter of this work – a critical discussion of Hegelian dialectic and philosophy as a whole to be absolutely necessary, a task not yet performed. This lack of thoroughness is not accidental, since even the critical theologian remains a theologian. Hence, either he has to start from certain presuppositions of philosophy accepted as authoritative; or, if in the process of criticism and as a result of other people’s discoveries doubts about these philosophical presuppositions have arisen in him, he abandons them in a cowardly and unwarrantable fashion, abstracts from them, thus showing his servile dependence on these presuppositions and his resentment at this servility merely in a negative, unconscious and sophistical manner.

(He does this either by constantly repeating assurances concerning the purity of his own criticism, or by trying to make it seem as though all that was left for criticism to deal with now was some other limited form of criticism outside itself – say eighteenth-century criticism – and also the limitations of the masses, in order to divert the observer’s attention as well as his own from the necessary task of settling accounts between criticism and its point of origin – Hegelian dialectic and German philosophy as a whole – that is, from this necessary raising of modern criticism above its own limitation and crudity. Eventually, however, whenever discoveries (such as Feuerbach’s ) are made regarding the nature of his own philosophic presuppositions, the critical theologian partly makes it appear as if he were the one who had accomplished this, producing that appearance by taking the results of these discoveries and, without being able to develop them, hurling them in the form of catch-phrases at writers still caught in the confines of philosophy. He partly even manages to acquire a sense of his own superiority to such discoveries by asserting in a mysterious way and in a veiled, malicious and skeptical fashion elements of the Hegelian dialectic which he still finds lacking in the criticism of that dialectic (which have not yet been critically served up to him for his use) against such criticism – not having tried to bring such elements into their proper relation or having been capable of doing so, asserting, say, the category of mediating proof against the category of positive, self-originating truth, (...) in a way peculiar to Hegelian dialectic. For to the theological critic it seems quite natural that everything has to be done by philosophy, so that he can chatter away about purity, resoluteness, and quite critical criticism; and he fancies himself the true conqueror of philosophy whenever he happens to feel some element [4] in Hegel to be lacking in Feuerbach – for however much he practises the spiritual idolatry of “ self-consciousness ” and “mind” the theological critic does not get beyond feeling to consciousness.)

On close inspection theological criticism – genuinely progressive though it was at the inception of the movement – is seen in the final analysis to be nothing but the culmination and consequence of the old philosophical, and especially the Hegelian, transcendentalism, twisted into a theological caricature. This interesting example of historical justice, which now assigns to theology, ever philosophy’s spot of infection, the further role of portraying in itself the negative dissolution of philosophy, i.e., the process of its decay – this historical nemesis I shall demonstrate on another occasion. [5]

(How far, on the other hand, Feuerbach’s discoveries about the nature of philosophy still, for their proof at least, called for a critical discussion of philosophical dialectic will be seen from my exposition itself.) ||LX|

Wages of Labour – First Section 1844 Index | Study Guide | Marx-Engels Internet Archive