Ecological Restoration; From Species to Landscape Approaches.

When we talk about ecological restoration, an important question arises. Should we focus on individual species, or should we focus on the entire ecosystem? This is the central idea behind the different approaches to eco-restoration. In this part, we will look at three key areas, ecosystem versus species, protection of species, and the best approach to an ecosystem. An ecosystem supports a variety of plant and animal species and provides the conditions they need to remain in a functional state. But no species exists completely on its own. Species are interconnected with the other organisms and environmental elements around them. Their survival depends on these relationships. For example, species may depend on one another for food, habitat, system dynamics, and system cybernetics. This means that changing one part of an ecosystem can influence other parts as well. Therefore, when we think about ecological restoration, focusing on only one species may not be enough. We also need to consider the ecosystem in which that species lives. Protection of species. This leads to an important principle. No species can survive in isolation. The existence of every species is closely linked to the existence of other species. So, if our objective is to protect a particular species, we also need to consider the species and ecological relationships connected to it. According to the approach presented in the source material, protecting a targeted species requires maintaining the ecosystem that supports it. This is why it is suggested moving from a species conservation approach toward an ecosystem conservation approach. The idea is that species can be conserved more effectively when the ecosystem itself remains intact, sound, and functional. The best approach to an ecosystem. But there is another level to consider. An ecosystem contains many species, and these species have multiple relationships with one another. At the same time, an ecosystem is not completely isolated from its surroundings. Ecosystems are also connected with other ecosystems in the surrounding area. Water can move between landscapes. Organisms can move from one habitat to another. And ecological processes can extend beyond the boundaries of a single ecosystem. Therefore, maintaining one ecosystem while ignoring the ecosystems around it may not be sufficient. We present here this broader approach as the landscape approach. Instead of protecting only a single species or a single ecosystem, the landscape approach considers the wider network of interconnected ecosystems. In other words, conservation and restoration need to consider the whole landscape. The landscape approach is therefore presented as a refined and enlarged version of the ecosystem approach. Conclusion So, what is the key message of landscape approach? Species are connected to ecosystems, and ecosystems are connected to landscapes. A species cannot be considered completely separate from the ecological system that supports it. Protecting a species therefore requires attention to its ecosystem, and maintaining an ecosystem may require attention to the surrounding landscape. This gives us a progression, species-ecosystem-landscape. The broader our understanding of these connections, the more effectively we can approach ecological restoration. In the next part, we will move from these approaches to the practical side of eco-restoration and explore the methods and skills used in restoration work.