Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land is the first practical guidebook to give restorationists and would-be restorationists with little or no scientific training or background the how toa information and knowledge they need to plan and implement ecological restoration activities. The book sets forth a step-by-step process for developing, implementing, monitoring, and refining on-the-ground restoration projects that is applicable to a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems.
The first part of the book introduces the process of ecological restoration in simple, easily understood language through specific examples drawn from the authors' experience restoring their own lands in southern and central Wisconsin. It offers systematic, step-by-step strategies along with inspiration and benchmark experiences. The book's second half shows how that same thinkinga and doinga can be applied to North America's major ecosystems and landscapes in any condition or scale.
No other ecological restoration book leads by example and first-hand experience likethis one. The authors encourage readers to champion restoration of ecosystems close to where they live . . . at home, on farms and ranches, in parks and preserves. It provides an essential bridge for people from all walks of life and all levels of experience'from land trust member property stewards to agency personnel responsible for restoring lands in their care'and represents a unique and important contribution to the literature on restoration.
Preface Introduction
PART I. Principles of Ecological Restoration Chapter 1. Connecting with the Land: The Story of Stone Prairie Farm -Exploring the Landscape -Developing a Plan -Getting Started -Scaling Up -Learning to Work with Nature -Principles Learned from the Stone Prairie Experience -Learning by Doing -The Necessity of Stewardship -Joy of Success -Conclusions
Chapter 2. Ecological Restoration: An Overview -Ecosystems Assessing the Health of Ecosystems Indicators of Healthy Ecosystems Special Importance of Diversity -Ten-Step Process for Ecological Restoration Step One: Mapping and Inventory Step Two: Investigate the History of the Landscape Step Three: Interpretation of Landscape Changes Step Four: Develop Realistic Goals and Objectives Step Five: Prepare a Plan Step Six: Develop and Initiate a Monitoring Program Step Seven: Implement the Plan Step Eight: Document Changes and Maintain Records Step Nine: Periodically Reevaluate the Program Step Ten: Communicate and Educate -Conclusion
Chapter 3. Developing a Restoration Plan -The Restoration Process Step One: Inventory and Mapping Step Two: Investigate the History of the Landscape Step Three: Interpretation of Landscape Changes Step Four: Develop Realistic Goals and Objectives Step Five: Prepare a Plan Step Six: Develop and Initiate a Monitoring Program Step Seven: Implement the Plan Step Eight. Document Changes and Maintain Records -Conclusion
Chapter 4. Implementing Restoration -Working at the Right Scale -Where to Start -Working With and Not Against Nature -Recruiting Volunteers and Hiring Professional Help -Restoration Success and Nature's Clock Availability vs. Phenology Reading Phenology: What to Look For Knowing When It Is Too Late Throwing Everything at the Land? Patience, Persistence, and Long-term Perspectives -Commonly Employed Techniques Hydrology Chemical Challenges Biological Techniques Site Preparation Seeding and Planting Control of Woody Vegetation Use of Fire -A Management Program -Conclusions
Chapter 5. Monitoring Progress -Affirming Measurable Objectives -Basic Monitoring Techniques Light Quality and Quantity Plant Community and Vegetation Hydrology Faunal Monitoring -Other Benefits of Monitoring -Is There Ever an Endpoint? -Conclusions
PART II. Applying Restoration to Different Types of Ecosystems Chapter 6. Grassland Restoration -Historic Grasslands in North America -Grassland Fauna -Vegetation -Fire -Stressors -Market and Policy Changes -Restoration Practices Mixed-grass and Short-grass Prairie Restoration Tallgrass Prairie Restoration Choice of Species Caring for New Prairie Prescribed Fire Control of Woody Invasives -Conclusions
Chapter 7. Restoring Forest Ecosystems -The Challenge of Restoring Forested Ecosystems -Applying the Principles of Restoration Examples Across North America Longleaf-slash Pine Forests Bottomland Hardwood Forests Oak-pine and Loblolly-short-leaf Pine Forests Oak-hickory Forests and Northern Hardwood Forests Boreal Forests Savannas Pacific Evergreen Forests -Conclusions
Chapter 8. Wetland Restoration -Wetland Form and Function -Planning Wetland Restoration -Regulations and Legal Definitions -Different Types of Wetlands -Substrates -Water Quality -Hydrology Classification of Wetlands -Physical Gradients and Biological Change -Stressors -Restorations Strategies and Process
Chapter 9. Restoring Streams -Underlying Problems -Some Principles -The Process of Stream Restoration -Conclusion
Chapter 10. Restoring Deserts -What Is a Desert -Unique Biological Adaptations -Stressors and Impacts -Restorations Strategies -Conclusions
Species List Glossary Notes Index
"...even individuals who have been conducting restoration projects for years may appreciate the structure and rigor outlined in the Workbook. For the less experienced restorationist, Restoring Ecological Health may provide just the motivation needed to get started, and the Workbook presents a recipe that, followed carefully, is virtually guaranteed to succeed."
