Restoration ecology: A new forest management paradigm, or another merit badge for foresters?

Abstract

Focusing on the Southwest but raising questions that are more broadly applicable, we compare ecological restoration with conventional management regimes -- multiple-use management, ecosystem management, and managing for specific resourse objectives. That restoration assumes a holistic prespective and active intervention does not distinguish it from other approaches to achieving ecosystem health. We find that foresters and restorationists both use ecology, but restorationists use a reference condition as a substitute for specific objectives. We believe that restorationists who advocate substituting a reference condition for meeting a priori objectives must demonstrate the advantage of this approach. We identify the conceptual limitations to ecological restoration and question the uses of restoration.

Citation

Wagner, Michael R.; Block, William M.; Geils, Brian W.; Wenger, Karl F. 2000. Restoration ecology: A new forest management paradigm, or another merit badge for foresters?. Journal of Forestry. 98(10): 22-27