3.4 Restoration Ecology: (Pages )

Transcription

1 3.4 Restoration Ecology: (Pages )

2 Learning Goals I can describe the concepts of stewardship and restoration ecology, and explain why they are important to humans. I can explain how to restore ecosystems through reforestation, wetland restoration, controlling alien species, bioremediation and bioaugmentation.

3 Key Concepts Restoration ecology includes reforestation, wetlands restoration, controlling alien species, bioremediation, and bioaugmentation. The flow of nutrients through ecosystems can be interrupted by human activities, and restoration techniques can offset those interruptions. Alien species are extremely difficult to eradicate in most situations. There are many ecosystems that require restoration, and the Alberta tar sands will be a major challenge.

4 Stewardship STEWARDSHIP: the active assumption of responsibility for the welfare of the environment

5 Restoration Ecology RESTORATION ECOLOGY: the renewal of degraded or destroyed ecosystems through active human intervention A major goal of restoration ecology is to stimulate natural processes of regeneration to produce a sustainable, if not identical, ecosystem

6 RESTORATION ECOLOGY

7 Restoration Ecology in the Don Valley Ecological restoration has converted Toronto s Don Valley Brick Works (shown in 1891 and today) into a natural environment and cultural heritage park that includes wetlands, a boardwalk, a wildflower meadow, and restored historic buildings

8 Restoration Methods Restoration ecologists use many techniques to restore sustainable ecosystems Reforestation Wetland Restoration Controlling Alien Species Bioremediation Bioaugmentation

9 Reforestation Reforestation: the regrowth of a forest, either through natural processes or through the planting of seeds or trees in an area where a forest was cut down

10 Reforestation Red pines, which were planted to control soil erosion, helped to accelerate natural forest succession. A) Forest was cut down to use the land for agriculture B) Red pine trees were planted to reforest the area C) As the red pines grew, they provided shade under which other species grew D) After many years, natural succession occurred, and there was a gradual return of native species

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12 Wetland Restoration Wetland restoration: process in which a wetland is returned to its natural state returns soil quality, composition, water coverage, the type of plants that grow there, and the habitat

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14 Controlling Alien Species

15 Controlling Alien Species Alien species can upset the equilibrium of an ecosystem Preventing the spread of alien species is an important part of maintaining sustainable ecosystems Biocontrols and chemicals are two methods that ecologists use to help control alien species

16 Asian Long-horned beetle Purple Loosestrife

17 In 2007, a small, rather pretty green bug called the Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Toronto. The EAB, a very successful Asian native, likes to feed on the bark of ash trees; the City of Toronto estimates that, by 2017, all of Toronto s 860,000 ash trees may well be dead. (Source: The National Post - April 26, 2012)

18 Controlling Alien Species BIOCONTROL: the use of a species to control the population growth or spread of an undesirable species Ex. Introducing predators or parasites CHEMICAL CONTROL: the use of a species to control the population growth or spread of an undesirable species Ex. Using poison baits Can be risky à may harm native species

19 Bioremediation BIOREMEDIATION: the use of living organisms to clean up contaminated areas naturally Plants can clean soil by absorbing poisons on their tissues Bacteria can break down toxic chemicals

20 Bioaugmentation BIOAUGMENTATION: the use of organisms to add essential nutrients to depleted soils Plants are used to replenish nitrogen levels in soils

21 VIDEO: Conservation and Restoration Ecology: Crash Course Ecology #12 Practice Page 116 # 1-8 Socrative 3.4 quiz