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Ecological restoration‚ an important tool in these missions‚ is how we can most sustainably heal the planet
Urbanization‚ coupled with climate change‚ is making it more important to repair degraded ecological systems․ The use of ecological restoration plants‚ and more specifically native plants that are well adapted to the site‚ is an important part of ecological restoration․ Many plants contain adaptations that are helpful in keeping an ecosystem healthy‚ while some function as keystone species in an ecosystem's community interactions․ The choice of native species in ecological restoration projects is important for creating ecologically resilient ecosystems for both humans and nature that are less prone to collapse․
Plants That Have Evolved for Millions of Years
Indigenous species are endemic to the environment in which they are found․ Since species in an environment have co-evolved for hundreds and thousands of years‚ they naturally thrive in their environment without outside help․ Their interactions with local fauna (pollinators‚ herbivores‚ etc․) create webs of biodiversity that affect soil building‚ carbon sequestering‚ and the creation and buffering of habitats that support other species․
Native plants create habitat for other life‚ a sense of place for humans‚ and serve culturally and ecologically meaningful roles in the landscape․ This selective pressure is key to the ecosystem‚ since it is part of its dynamic equilibrium and health․
Biodiversity increases the resilience of an ecosystem‚ that is‚ its ability to tolerate disturbance (for example‚ fluctuations in climate‚ outbreaks of disease‚ and invasion by alien species)‚ because of the greater number and diversity of interactions between species‚ and the resulting greater efficiency of energy flow and cycling of nutrients․
In addition to stabilizing and encouraging diversity in a natural wetland community‚ native restoration plants help the ecosystem maintain its ecology and stability․ For example‚ diverse plant populations can create an environment where soil erosion is reduced‚ water quality is maintained‚ floods do not impact organisms as severely‚ and biodiversity is promoted․ As such‚ the promotion of native species becomes important in terms of conservation and the sustenance of ecosystems․
Ecological Restoration Plants Fulfill The Needs of the Planting Location
Invasive species can complicate the restoration of ecological conditions‚ because intrusive plants can spread from one place to another‚ taking resources and habitat away from native plants in the process․ Invasive species can alter habitat structure and reduce species richness when they replace native species that provided important ecosystem functions so control over intrusive species should be a primary goal of restoration․ Such control measures can include intrusive species mechanical removal‚ targeted application of herbicides‚ and restoration process planning․
Monitoring the restoration site on a regular basis allows observers to identify whether native species are successfully re-establishing themselves and building up resistance to invasion․ Training local residents on how intrusive species impact local ecosystems and how they can help protect their neighborhood can be helpful in controlling invasions․
Best-practice habitat restoration techniques recommend the judicious use of native plants and focus on site assessments of soils‚ hydrology‚ and existing flora and fauna․
The information gathered can help guide the best native species suites for the site‚ identifying which will be the most functionally helpful․ An effective planting plan‚ one which considers a range of species with different blooms‚ can best support the pollinator community while providing visual interest through the seasons․ Moreover‚ investing the community in planting and maintaining these native gardens increases the likelihood of success and cultivates a connection and sense of stewardship between people and the natural world․
Resiliance, Biodiversity and Stewardship
Finally‚ plants used in ecological restoration and native plants in general play an important role in promoting biodiversity‚ resilience‚ and the proper functioning of ecosystems․ Understanding the importance of these plants in restoration can help inform practitioners and researchers of conservation and management strategies and practices that will lead to a healthier environment․
The conservation of native species through ecological restoration would benefit endangered ecosystems as well as biodiversity and have long-term benefits‚ resulting in healthier and resilient ecosystems‚ which would lead to a greener future for both humans and other living things to live in harmony with nature․
