Restoration ecology is a young field that integrates theory and knowledge from a range of disciplines, including the biological, physical, and social sciences as well as the humanities. This new textbook, written for upper-division undergraduates and first-year graduate students, offers a real-life introduction to the field and an interdisciplinary overview of the theory behind it.

Developed by ecologists and landscape architects, each of whom has been involved in restoration research and practice for many years, the focus of the book is on providing a framework that can be used to guide restoration decisions anywhere on the globe, both now and in the future. The text is organized around a restoration process that has been tested and revised by the authors in their restoration ecology courses taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison over the past thirty years.

Each chapter includes a series of "Food for Thought" questions that both help students review concepts and put them to work in solving conservation problems. The framework is designed to work with the uniqueness, uncertainty, messiness, and constraints inherent in any real-world restoration project.

Success in ecological restoration requires not only technical proficiency but also skill in the social, cultural, and political arenas. Introduction to Restoration Ecology can help students develop the skills they need to succeed in all of these areas and is a much-needed new resource.

Review Quotes

"Their formulations are cautious, flexible, and sensitive to the many ambiguities in the restoration process."
Planning

"...does an admirable job and will deservingly find a place on most restoration bookshelves (or better yet, nightstands) and in many restoration classrooms. I heartily recommend it."
Ecological Restoration

"Howell et al. have undertaken a challenging task in distilling general principles from these specific circumstances."
Restoration Ecology

"The book is a well-organized compendium of current knowledge in restoration ecology and will provide a primary source on the topic for years to come"
Journal of Planning Education and Research

"One of the first textbooks in restoration ecology to apply engaging pedagogy with high production values..."
Conservation Biology

Contents

List of Case Studies
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Chapter 1. Restoration Ecology: Composing the Landscape of the Future
-Learning Objectives
-What Is Restoration Ecology?
-Early Restoration Efforts in North America
-Restoration Ecology Today
-Types of Restoration
-Outline of the Restoration Process
-Assumptions, Challenges, and Opportunities for Restoration
-Creating Resilient Systems
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 2. The Community Model: Ecological Theory
-Learning Objectives
-The Conceptual Community/Ecosystem Model
-Ecological Theory Within Restoration Ecology
-The Nature of Communities: Concepts and Explanations from Community Ecology
-The Ecosystem: Focus on Functions and Processes
-Landscape Ecology
-Climate Change
-The Link Between Theory and Practice
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 3. Adaptive Restoration: Documentation and Research
-Learning Objectives
-Adaptive Restoration
-Project Documentation
-Establishing Communication Networks: Sharing and Evaluating Information
-Incorporating Research into Restoration
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 4. Site Inventory and Analysis
-Learning Objectives
-Overview of the Site Inventory and Analysis Process
-Resources to Be Collected by Inventory
-Region and Context
-Climate
-Topography
-Hydrology
-Soils
-Fauna (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates, Soil Organisms)
-Vegetation
-Inventory and Analysis of Cultural Features, Social Uses, and Perceptions
-Regulations and Permits
-Aesthetics
-The Analysis
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 5. Gathering Onsite Resource Information
-Learning Objectives
-Getting Started
-Microclimate
-Topography
-Hydrology: Freshwater Systems
-Hydrology: Coastal Marine Systems
-Soils
-Fauna
-Vegetation
-Cultural Features
-People
-Inventory Protocols Revisited
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 6. The Master Plan: Project Purpose, Solutions, and Goals
-Learning Objectives
-Plan Features
-The Master Plan Structure
-Project Overview and Purpose
-Description of the Site Inventory and Analysis
-A Set of Alternative Solutions
-Goals for Each Community or Restoration Unit
-The Estimated Budget
-Procedures for Plan Adoption, Review, and Modifications
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 7. The Site Plan: Design and Plan Documents
-Learning Objectives
-Site Plan Outcomes
-Plan Layout: Configuring the Site Plan
-Creating the Landscape Experience
-Developing a Site Plan for the Cross Plains Ice Age National Scientific Reserve
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 8. The Implementation Plan: Site Preparation and Installation
-Learning Objectives
-Defining the Implementation Units and Boundaries
-Assessing Existing Site Conditions
-Developing Implementation Strategies for Site Preparation
-Developing Implementation Strategies to Reintroduce Biotic Components
-Resolving Logistics
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 9. The Monitoring Plan
-Learning Objectives
-Features of the Monitoring Plan
-Monitoring Vegetation
-Establishing Monitoring Timelines
-Analysis and Storage of Monitoring Data
-Who Does the Monitoring?
-The Monitoring Budget
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 10. The Management Plan
-Learning Objectives
-The Need for Restoration Management
-Features of the Management Plan
-Vegetation Management Tools
-Reducing Management Impacts
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 11. The Role and Impact of Pest Species in Restoration
-Learning Objectives
-Characteristics of Pest Species
-The Role of Humans in the Pest Species Problem
-Impacts: Why Restoration Ecologists Are Concerned About Pest Species
-Factors That Exacerbate the Impact of Pest Species
-Developing a Pest Species Management Plan
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 12. Managing User Impacts and Cross-Boundary Influences
-Learning Objectives
-User Impacts
-Cross-Boundary Influences
-Potential Planning Approaches
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 13. Working with People
-Learning Objectives
-The Social Dimension of Restoration
-The Regulatory Arena
-Working with Volunteers
-Key Concepts
-Food for Thought
-Resources for Further Study

Chapter 14. Case Studies
-The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum
-The Nature Conservancy Great Rivers Partnership Program
-The Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Project Master Plan

Chapter 15. Conclusion
-The Future of Restoration
-Questions You Will You Be Asking in the Future
-Final Thoughts

References
Glossary
Index