The goal of ecological restoration is to modify
a particular ecosystem so that it exists in a particular preferred or
desired condition. From an ecological viewpoint, the desired condition is one that represents a
particular set of ecological functions and structures.
Attaining that condition by definition requires some
modification of current or planned land use activities; these all reflect
and can affect the
values that humans have placed on that ecosystem.
The rationale for this course is that human values are
as important as ecological values. Key
issues for management and for society include: determining who decides what the desirable condition for
an ecosystem is, what that desirable condition should be, how and when that condition is to be attained, and how
economic, social, and cultural values will be affected and mitigated,
where possible.
