Restoration Ecology:

Principles & Guidelines

Restoration Ecology
ECL302
Kinley Choden
Ecosystem Restoration
Intentional activity that initiates or accelerates recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its

 function (processes),
 integrity (species composition and community structure), and
 sustainability (resistance to disturbance and resilience).
Ecosystem Restoration
Enables:
 abiotic support from the physical environment,
 suitable flows and exchanges of organisms and materials with the surrounding landscape, and
 the reestablishment of cultural interactions upon which the integrity of some ecosystems
depends
Principles of ER
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice on 13 th Conference of
the Parties (2016):

1. Ecosystem restoration is a complement to conservation activities

- Provides many benefits both inside and outside of protected areas
- Priority should be given to conserving biodiversity
- Priority should be given to preventing the degradation of natural habitats and ecosystems
- Maintain ecological integrity and provision of ecosystem services.

Ecosystem restoration is not a substitute for conservation, nor is it a conduit for allowing
intentional destruction or unsustainable use.
Principles of ER
2. Ecosystem restoration activities should be consistent with the provisions of the Convention.
- 12 principles of the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention
- the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable use of Biodiversity
- the Akwé: Kon guidelines
- the Tkarihwaié:ri Code of Ethical Conduct, and
- the Plan of Action on Customary Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity.
Principles of ER
3. Planning at various scales to implement the best available science and traditional knowledge.
- Informed consent and effective participation of indigenous people and al the stakeholders
- Communication, education and public awareness at all stages
- Inform benefits and costs of ecosystem restoration activities.
Subsidiary principles of ER
1. Twelve principles of the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention
Principle 1: The objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of
societal choice.
Principle 2: Management should be decentralized to the lowest appropriate level.
Principle 3: Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their
activities on adjacent and other ecosystems.
Subsidiary principles of ER
1. Twelve principles of the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention
Principle
4: Recognizing potential gains from management, there is usually a need to understand and
manage the ecosystem in an economic context. Any such ecosystem-management programme
should:
a. Reduce those market distortions that adversely affect biological diversity;
b. Align incentives to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use;
c. Internalize costs and benefits in the given ecosystem to the extent feasible.
Subsidiary principles of ER
1. Twelve principles of the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention
Principle 5: Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning, in order to maintain ecosystem
services, should be a priority target of the ecosystem approach.
Principle 6: Ecosystems must be managed within the limits of their functioning.
Principle 7: The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial and
temporal scales
Principle 8: Recognizing the varying temporal scales and lag-effects that characterize ecosystem
processes, objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the long term.
Subsidiary principles of ER
1. Twelve principles of the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention
Principle 9: Management must recognize that change is inevitable.
Principle 10: The ecosystem approach should seek the appropriate balance between, and
integration of, conservation and use of biological diversity.
Principle 11: The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information,
including scientific and indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices.
Principle 12: The ecosystem approach should involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific
disciplines.
Subsidiary principles of ER
2. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Adopted 2007 by UN General Assembly.

“Indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples, have the right to be different, to consider
themselves different, and to be respected as such. All peoples contribute to the diversity and
richness of civilizations and cultures, which constitute the common heritage of humankind”
“All doctrines, policies and practices based on or advocating superiority of peoples or
individuals are racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially
unjust”
“Recognizes that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes
to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment”
Subsidiary principles of ER
3. Addis Ababa Principles
Adopted in 2004. Highlight how ecosystems contribute to and maintain cultures, societies and
communities. Thus, any adverse impacts on ecosystems can also have an adverse impact on
those cultures, societies and communities.
Principle 1: Supportive policies, laws, and institutions are in place at all levels of governance and
there are effective linkages between these levels.
Principle 2: Recognizing the need for a governing framework consistent with international,
national laws, local users of biodiversity components should be sufficiently empowered and
supported by rights to be responsible and accountable for use of the resources concerned.
Principle 3: International, national policies, laws and regulations that distort markets which
contribute to habitat degradation or otherwise generate perverse incentives that undermine
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, should be identified and removed or mitigated.
Subsidiary principles of ER
3. Addis Ababa Principles
Principle 4: Adaptive management should be practiced, based on:
a) Science and traditional and local knowledge
b) Iterative, timely and transparent feedback derived from monitoring
c) Adjusting management based on timely feedback
Principle 5: Sustainable use management goals and practices should avoid or minimize adverse
impacts on ecosystem services, structure and functions as well as other components of
ecosystems.
Principle 6: Interdisciplinary research into all aspects of the use and conservation of biological
diversity should be promoted and supported.
Subsidiary principles of ER
3. Addis Ababa Principles
Principle 7: The spatial and temporal scale of management should be compatible with the
ecological and socio-economic scales of the use and its impact.
Principle 8: There should be arrangements for international cooperation where multinational
decision-making and coordination are needed.
Principle 9: An interdisciplinary, participatory approach should be applied at the appropriate
levels of management and governance related to the use.
Principle 10: International, national policies should take into account:
a) Current and potential values derived from the use of biological diversity;
b) Intrinsic and other non-economic values of biological diversity and
c) Market forces affecting the values and use.
Subsidiary principles of ER
3. Addis Ababa Principles
Principle 11: Users of biodiversity components should seek to minimize waste and adverse
environmental impact and optimize benefits from uses.
Principle 12: The needs of indigenous and local communities who live with and are affected by
the use and conservation of biological diversity, along with their contributions to its conservation
and sustainable use, should be reflected in the equitable distribution of the benefits from the use
of those resources.
Practical principle 13: The costs of management and conservation of biological diversity should
be internalized within the area of management and reflected in the distribution of the benefits
from the use.
Practical principle 14: Education and public awareness programmes on conservation and
sustainable use should be implemented and more effective methods of communications should
be developed between and among stakeholders and managers.
Subsidiary principles of ER
3. Addis Ababa Principles
Principle 11: Users of biodiversity components should seek to minimize waste and adverse
environmental impact and optimize benefits from uses.
Principle 12: The needs of indigenous and local communities who live with and are affected by
the use and conservation of biological diversity, along with their contributions to its conservation
and sustainable use, should be reflected in the equitable distribution of the benefits from the use
of those resources.
Practical principle 13: The costs of management and conservation of biological diversity should
be internalized within the area of management and reflected in the distribution of the benefits
from the use.
Practical principle 14: Education and public awareness programmes on conservation and
sustainable use should be implemented and more effective methods of communications should
be developed between and among stakeholders and managers.
Subsidiary principles of ER
4. Akwé: Kon guidelines
Adopted in 2000.
Highlights about respecting, preserving and maintaining knowledge, innovations and practices of
indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles
- For the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
- Promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holder
- Encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits
Subsidiary principles of ER
5. Tkarihwaié:ri Code of Ethical Conduct

Adopted in 2000 and revised in 2011.

Provides the Code of Ethical Conduct for interacting with indigenous and local communities in
addition to Akwé: Kon guidelines.
Subsidiary principles of ER
6. Plan of Action on Customary Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity
- Customary sustainable use of biological diversity with participation of indigenous and local
communities.
- Traditional knowledge should be valued, respected and considered as useful.
- The ecosystem approach should be implemented in consistence with the spiritual and cultural
values.
- Recognize indigenous and local communities as the holders of their TEK.
Guidelines for ER
According to IUCN WCPA* Ecological Restoration Taskforce (2012), the principles of
successful ecological restoration basically boil down to making it

1. More Effective
2. More Efficient
3. And More engaging

*World Commission for Protected Areas under the International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources
Guidelines for ER
1. More Effective
Effective ecological restoration is a restoration that re-establishes and maintains the values of a
natural ecosystem
i. ‘Do no harm’ by first identifying when restoration is the best option
ii. Re-establish ecosystem structure, function and composition
iii. Maximize the contribution of restoration actions to enhancing resilience (e.g., to climate
change)
Guidelines for ER
1. More Effective
iv. Restore connectivity within and beyond the boundaries of natural ecosystem
v. Encourage and re-establish traditional cultural values and practices that contribute to the
ecological, social and cultural sustainability of the natural ecosystem and its surroundings
vi. Use research and monitoring, including from traditional ecological knowledge, to maximize
restoration success
Guidelines for ER
2. More efficient
Efficient ecological restoration for natural ecosystem is restoration that maximizes beneficial
outcomes while minimizing costs in time, resources and effort
vi. Consider restoration goals and objectives from system-wide to local scales
vii. Ensure long-term capacity and support for maintenance and monitoring of restoration
viii. Enhance natural capital and ecosystem services from natural ecosystem while contributing
to nature conservation goals
ix. Contribute to sustainable livelihoods for indigenous peoples and local communities
dependent on the natural ecosystem
x. Integrate and coordinate with international development policies and programming
Guidelines for ER
3. More Engaging
Engaging ecological restoration for protected areas is restoration that collaborates with partners
and stakeholders, promotes participation and enhances visitor experience
xi. Collaborate with indigenous and local communities, neighboring landowners, corporations,
scientists and other partners and stakeholders in planning, implementation, and evaluation
xii. Learn collaboratively and build capacity in support of continued engagement in ecological
restoration initiatives
xii. Communicate effectively to support the overall ecological restoration process
xiii. Provide rich experiential opportunities, through ecological restoration and as a result of
restoration, that encourage a sense of connection with and stewardship of protected areas
Review Questions
i. Explain three principles of ER
ii. “Use of Ecosystem Approach in ecological restoration ensures ecosystem sustainability”
justify the statement based on your understanding of 12 principles of the Ecosystem
Approach of the Convention of Biological Diversity.
iii. Evaluate the need of integrating local Traditional Ecological Knowledge(TEK) in
restoration processes based on some of the international conventions related to rights of
indigenous peoples.