Ecosystem Restoration: Towards Sustainability and Resilient Development

Ecosystem Restoration: Towards Sustainability and Resilient Development PDF Author: Anil Kumar Gupta
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 981993687X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 372

Book Description
This edited book offers coverage towards SDG 15 in particular, but it provides for all the SDGs in general. The book is an inclusive comprehension on ecosystem restoration and sustainability including agricultural and ecosystem resilience, the role of biodiversity, climate change and water resources, hydrological modelling, extreme events, disaster risk and management, sustainable policy making on disaster management. The world is facing diverse and severe challenges. Millions of people are suffering from the catastrophic effects of extreme disasters, climate emergencies, water and food insecurity, and the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic. Ecosystems are essential players in people’s capacity to meet these challenges. Hence, managing them and protecting their resources in sustainable ways is crucial. The book ‘Ecosystem Restoration: Towards Sustainable and Resilient Development’ provides comprehensive information on fundamentals, approaches and latest developments in the field of ecosystem restoration, resilience and sustainability. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, climate change scientists, and valuable source of reference to the professionals and students in the relevant disciplines. Besides, the book serves as additional reading for graduate students of water, ecology, restoration forestry, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international ecological policy makers, scientists and planners will also find this to be a useful read.

Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies

Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies PDF Author: Shalini Dhyani
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811547122
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 474

Book Description
Over the past few decades, the frequency and severity of natural and human-induced disasters have increased across Asia. These disasters lead to substantial loss of life, livelihoods and community assets, which not only threatens the pace of socio-economic development, but also undo hard-earned gains. Extreme events and disasters such as floods, droughts, heat, fire, cyclones and tidal surges are known to be exacerbated by environmental changes including climate change, land-use changes and natural resource degradation. Increasing climate variability and multi-dimensional vulnerabilities have severely affected the social, ecological and economic capacities of the people in the region who are, economically speaking, those with the least capacity to adapt. Climatic and other environmental hazards and anthropogenic risks, coupled with weak and wavering capacities, severely impact the ecosystems and Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) and, thereby, to human well-being. Long-term resilience building through disaster risk reduction and integrated adaptive climate planning, therefore, has become a key priority for scientists and policymakers alike. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a cost-effective approach that utilizes ecosystem and biodiversity services for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, while also providing a range of co-benefits like sustainable livelihoods and food, water and energy security. This book discusses the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – both as a science and as art – and elaborates on how it can be applied to develop healthy and resilient ecosystems locally, nationally, regionally and globally. The book covers illustrative methods and tools adopted for applying NbS in different countries. The authors discuss NbS applications and challenges, research trends and future insights that have wider regional and global relevance. The aspects covered include: landscape restoration, ecosystem-based adaptation, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, ecological restoration, ecosystem-based protected areas management, green infrastructure development, nature-friendly infrastructure development in various ecosystem types, agro-climatic zones and watersheds. The book offers insights into understanding the sustainable development goals (SDGs) at the grass roots level and can help indigenous and local communities harness ecosystem services to help achieve them. It offers a unique, essential resource for researchers, students, corporations, administrators and policymakers working in the fields of the environment, geography, development, policy planning, the natural sciences, life sciences, agriculture, health, climate change and disaster studies.

Ecological Restoration

Ecological Restoration PDF Author: Andre F. Clewell
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1610910648
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 230

Book Description
The field of ecological restoration is a rapidly growing discipline that encompasses a wide range of activities and brings together practitioners and theoreticians from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, ranging from volunteer backyard restorationists to highly trained academic scientists and professional consultants. Ecological Restoration offers for the first time a unified vision of ecological restoration as a field of study, one that clearly states the discipline’s precepts and emphasizes issues of importance to those involved at all levels. In a lively, personal fashion, the authors discuss scientific and practical aspects of the field as well as the human needs and values that motivate practitioners. The book: -identifies fundamental concepts upon which restoration is based -considers the principles of restoration practice -explores the diverse values that are fulfilled with the restoration of ecosystems -reviews the structure of restoration practice, including the various contexts for restoration work, the professional development of its practitioners, and the relationships of restoration with allied fields and activities A unique feature of the book is the inclusion of eight “virtual field trips,” short photo essays of project sites around the world that illustrate various points made in the book and are “led” by those who were intimately involved with the project described. Throughout, ecological restoration is conceived as a holistic endeavor, one that addresses issues of ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, and sustainability science simultaneously, and draws upon cultural resources and local skills and knowledge in restoration work.

Restoration Ecology and Sustainable Development

Restoration Ecology and Sustainable Development PDF Author: Krystyna M. Urbanska
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521581608
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 413

Book Description
The problem of ecosystem damage is international; a recent estimate suggests that 43% of the earth's terrestrial surface has a reduced capacity to supply benefits to humanity because of recent direct impacts of land use. The discipline of restoration ecology aims to provide a scientifically sound basis for the reconstruction of degraded or destroyed ecosystems and to produce self-supporting systems which are, to some degree, resilient to subsequent damage. This book looks at the main issues with a broad perspective, using case studies where appropriate and considering the economic and social context in which restoration is carried out. It is essential to reverse current trends by developing and using our knowledge of how to restore ecosystems. The book is therefore important for scientists, professionals in ecological restoration, landscape architects and environmental engineers, and more generally for those involved in sustainable development.

Foundations of Ecological Resilience

Foundations of Ecological Resilience PDF Author: Lance H. Gunderson
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1610911334
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 496

Book Description
Ecological resilience provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how complex systems adapt to and recover from localized disturbances like hurricanes, fires, pest outbreaks, and floods, as well as large-scale perturbations such as climate change. Ecologists have developed resilience theory over the past three decades in an effort to explain surprising and nonlinear dynamics of complex adaptive systems. Resilience theory is especially important to environmental scientists for its role in underpinning adaptive management approaches to ecosystem and resource management. Foundations of Ecological Resilience is a collection of the most important articles on the subject of ecological resilience—those writings that have defined and developed basic concepts in the field and help explain its importance and meaning for scientists and researchers. The book’s three sections cover articles that have shaped or defined the concepts and theories of resilience, including key papers that broke new conceptual ground and contributed novel ideas to the field; examples that demonstrate ecological resilience in a range of ecosystems; and articles that present practical methods for understanding and managing nonlinear ecosystem dynamics. Foundations of Ecological Resilience is an important contribution to our collective understanding of resilience and an invaluable resource for students and scholars in ecology, wildlife ecology, conservation biology, sustainability, environmental science, public policy, and related fields.

An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309288487
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 246

Book Description
As the Gulf of Mexico recovers from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, natural resource managers face the challenge of understanding the impacts of the spill and setting priorities for restoration work. The full value of losses resulting from the spill cannot be captured, however, without consideration of changes in ecosystem services--the benefits delivered to society through natural processes. An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico discusses the benefits and challenges associated with using an ecosystem services approach to damage assessment, describing potential impacts of response technologies, exploring the role of resilience, and offering suggestions for areas of future research. This report illustrates how this approach might be applied to coastal wetlands, fisheries, marine mammals, and the deep sea -- each of which provide key ecosystem services in the Gulf -- and identifies substantial differences among these case studies. The report also discusses the suite of technologies used in the spill response, including burning, skimming, and chemical dispersants, and their possible long-term impacts on ecosystem services.

Dead Planet, Living Planet

Dead Planet, Living Planet PDF Author: C. Nellemann
Publisher: UNEP/Earthprint
ISBN: 9788277010830
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 112

Book Description
This rapid response assessment delineates case studies that have successfully implemented ecological restoration projects that range in scope from agriculture to health and waste water management. The report chronicles these projects from inception to design to application. It ultimately proposes future directions for modelling and support while continuing the efforts of the UNEP "To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations".

Nature-Based Solutions for Restoration of Ecosystems and Sustainable Urban Development

Nature-Based Solutions for Restoration of Ecosystems and Sustainable Urban Development PDF Author: Thomas Panagopoulos
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3039362429
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 218

Book Description
This volume examines the applicability of nature-based solutions in ecological restoration practice and in contemporary landscape architecture by bringing together ecology and architecture in the built environment. Green infrastructure is used to address urban challenges such as climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and stormwater management. In addition, thermal comfort nature-based solutions reintroduce critical connections between natural and urban systems. In light of ongoing developments in sustainable urban development, the goal is a paradigm shift towards a landscape that restores and rehabilitates urban ecosystems. The ten contributions to this book examine a wide range of successful cases of designing healthier, greener and more resilient landscapes in different geographical contexts, from the United States of America and Brazil, through various European regions, to Singapore and China. While some chapters attempt to conceptualize the interconnections between cities and nature, others clearly have an empirical focus. Therefore, this volume provides a rich body of work and acts as a starting point for further studies on restoration of ecosystems and integrative policies such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Extremes in Atmospheric Processes and Phenomenon: Assessment, Impacts and Mitigation

Extremes in Atmospheric Processes and Phenomenon: Assessment, Impacts and Mitigation PDF Author: Pallavi Saxena
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811677271
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 434

Book Description
This edited book first gives an overview of issues in the studies of atmospheric sciences and then elaborates on extreme events in air pollution, their assessment, impacts, and mitigation strategies. It covers general overview of factors governing in atmosphere that lead to air pollution, description about recent and hazardous air pollution episodes, emergencies and extremes in atmospheric sciences, impact studies on living organisms and atmosphere related to emergencies and possible remedies/mitigation strategies which may also include green growth strategies for management. Increase in anthropogenic activities from different sources results in very high concentrations of air pollutants in the atmospheres and they lead to cause disturbance in seasonal cycles and atmospheric phenomena, ecological imbalance and change in the quality of air. These impacts are the major cause of short-term or long-term effects on living and non-living systems. In the recent years, several instances of extremes atmosphere and air pollution related emergencies causing accidental episodes, fog, smog, health related, heat and cold wave etc. are experienced. This book brings the attention on such issues in atmospheric sciences and discuss the disaster preparedness and management plus emergencies. This book is valuable reading material for students in Environmental Science, Biological Science, Medical Science, Policy Planning, Disaster Management and Agriculture. It’s useful for environmental consultants, researchers and other professionals involved in air quality, plant, humans and disasters related research.

Ecosystem-Based Disaster and Climate Resilience

Ecosystem-Based Disaster and Climate Resilience PDF Author: Mahua Mukherjee
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811648158
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 519

Book Description
This book provides an introduction to the critical role of ecosystem-based disaster risk resilience (Eco-DRR) for building community resilience to multiple environmental risks such as rising heat, water stress, and pollution. Blue-green infrastructure (BGI) is an Eco-DRR tool that is an under-explored paradigm and can respond as one common strategy to targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (UNDP), Climate Agreements (UNEP), the Sendai Framework (UNISDR), and the New Urban Agenda (UNCHS). Highlighted here in a systematic way is the importance of blue-green infrastructures in resilience building. The purpose is to introduce readers to the challenging context of development and opportunity creation for Eco-DRR. The roles of policy, scientific research, and implementation are presented cohesively. An attractive proposition of the book is a collection of case studies from different parts of the world where integration of BGI is experimented with at various levels of success. It envisages that shared tacit experiences from the realm of practice will further strengthen explicit knowledge. The focus in this book is on need and context building, policy and science (investigation, analysis, and design), case studies, and a road map for the future in four successive parts. Each part is self-sufficient yet linked to its predecessor, successor, or both, as the case may be.