STAPER

A guide to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) : Assessing forest landscape restoration opportunities at the national or sub-national level : working paper

Abstract:

This handbook presents the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), which provides a flexible and affordable framework for countries to rapidly identify and analyse FLR potential and locate special areas of opportunity at a national or sub-national level. The handbook offers practical advice and options to bear in mind when considering or conducting an FLR assessment using ROAM, as well as real-life examples of the kinds of outputs you can expect, and will enable you to commission or design a tailor-made process to meet your specific needs.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
One important component of the application of the ROAM is the mapping of areas of potential for restoration. This is typically done through GIS analysis of relevant datasets, including datasets on levels of degradation (in accordance with activity A1). Drawing on further map datasets and expert knowledge, opportunity areas can then be categorized, for instance by general type of restoration (wide- scale, mosaic, protective) or by priority (high, medium, low), in accordance with activity A2. It also describes some of the concepts and basic steps required for the modelling of costs and benefits of restoration (A4) The methodology also describes how to engage stakeholders throughout the assessment process, in line with activity A3 and provides examples of criteria and indicators for the assessment of the legal, institutional, policy context, in line with activity A5. In 2018, IUCN released the Biodiversity Guidelines for Restoration Opportunities Assessments, which provide more context, more resources, and fresh perspectives relevant to the ongoing global interaction between forest landscape restoration and national biodiversity target, making it particularly relevant in the implementation of activity A2. While most relevant for group of activities A, the methodology can also assist in the implementation of further steps such as the development of plans for resources mobilization (B9) and the identification of appropriate measures for ecosystem restoration (C1).

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2014

A Manager’s Guide to Coral Reef Restoration and Planning

Abstract:

A Manager’s Guide to Coral Reef Restoration Planning and Design supports the needs of reef managers seeking to begin restoration or assess their current restoration program. The Guide is aimed at reef resource managers and conservationists, along with everyone who plans, implements, and monitors restoration activities.

Through a six-step, adaptive management planning process, the Guide helps managers gather relevant data, ask critical questions, and have important conversations about restoration in their location. The process set out in the Guide leads to the creation of a Restoration Action Plan. Hallmarks of the process include the iterative nature of the planning cycle and ways to consider climate change, such that we learn and improve restoration efforts that can also meet long-term goals in a warming world. The first four steps of the Guide’s planning cycle focus on goal-based planning and design of restoration interventions. The final two steps discuss considerations for full-scale implementation and long-term monitoring.

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2020

Application of Quality Assurance and Quality Control Principles to Ecological Restoration Project Monitoring

Abstract:

This guidance is intended to encourage and facilitate the adoption of effective quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) strategies in support of ecological restoration projects. Anticipated users include ecological restoration specialists and stakeholders representing federal, state and tribal agencies, NGOs, civic and local groups, and the academic community. Although it is assumed that users will have some background in and knowledge of basic ecological restoration practices and QA/QC concepts, Chapter 2 includes a brief review of QA/QC principles that are discussed throughout the remainder of the document.

The practices, procedures, information, and concepts outlined in this guidance can provide the following benefits to practitioners and stakeholders:

• Save time and resources by enhancing the consistency of documentation and procedures in current and future projects.
• Improve data quality for ecological measurements and observations, aid in evaluating project success, and incorporate long-term effectiveness monitoring as feedback to adaptive management.
• Encourage a common approach to QA/QC across multiple entities involved in ecological restoration projects to improve data comparability over time and support comparison of various restoration strategies.
• Serve as a consolidated collection of the best QA/QC practices for ecological restoration projects across multiple agencies.

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2019

Communicating Hydrological Hazard-Prone Areas in Italy With Geospatial Probability Maps

Abstract:

The present work illustrates for the first time downscaled spatial pattern probabilities of erosive density to identify damaging hydrological hazard-prone areas in Italy. The hydrological hazard was estimated from the erosivity density exceeded the threshold of 3 MJ ha⁻¹ h⁻¹ in Italy. To this end, a lognormal kriging (LNPK) provided a soft description of the erosivity density in terms of exceedance probabilities at a spatial resolution of 10 km, which is a way to mitigate the uncertainties associated with the spatial classification of damaging hydrological hazards. Hazard-prone areas cover 65% of the Italian territory in the month of August, followed by September and October with 50 and 30% of the territory, respectively. The geospatial probability maps elaborated with this method achieved an improved spatial forecast, which may contribute to better land-use planning and civil protection both in Italy and potentially in Europe.

Resource Type:Peer-reviewed Article
Publication Date: 2019

Coral-Focused Climate Change Adaptation and Restoration Based on Accelerating Natural Processes: Launching the “Reefs of Hope” Paradigm

Abstract:

The demise of coral reefs due to climate change is now a certainty, and investing in restoration without facing this reality risks failure. A new coral-focused paradigm is proposed, based on helping coral reefs adapt to rising temperature, ensuring that as many coral species as possible survive locally over time. Genebank nurseries of bleaching resistant corals are secured in cooler waters, to prevent their demise as heat stress increases. From nurseries corals are harvested to create nucleation patches of genetically diverse pre-adapted corals, which become reproductively, ecologically and biologically viable at reef scale, spreading over time. This “Reefs of Hope” paradigm, modelled on tropical forest restoration, creates dense coral patches, forming fish habitat immediately. The fish increase coral and substratum health, which in turn enhances natural larval-based recovery processes. Incoming coral recruits, attracted to the patch, are expected to be inoculated by heat adapted algal symbionts, becoming resitant to bleaching.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Highly relevant new restoration paradigm for coral reefs

Resource Type:Peer-reviewed Article
Publication Date: 2023

Ecoregions 2017 Mapping Tool

Abstract:

The Ecoregions 2017 mapping tool displays 846 global ecoregions, designating terrestrial ecoregions with more than half, less than half, and 20% or less remaining natural habitat.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
This type of mapping tool is useful for activity A1. Although this is a global assessment, it can help to scope out which ecoregions present at the national scale have lost most of their coverage globally. In combination with locally relevant sources of data on drivers of degradation it could help determine which ecoregions could be prioritized for restoration (A2).

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2017

Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) Knowledge Base

Abstract:

This knowledge base provides access to a comprehensive database of resources related to forest and landscape restoration in a wide range of aspects. More specifically, it provides access to an online user-friendly platform where users can find guidance from planning and implementation to the ongoing management and monitoring of a restoration project.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
This resource includes information on many aspects of FLR including assessment of degradation / restoration opportunities (activities A1 and A2), governance (activities B1 and B6), and implementation (activity C5), and monitoring (Group D). Documents such as Global guidelines for the restoration of degraded forests and landscapes in drylands, outline monitoring and evaluation programs including assessment (D1), adaptive management (D2), and sharing lessons learned (D3).

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: Ongoing

Hold Back the Snowpack

Abstract:

This short (11-minute) film highlights the ecological restoration work of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, a grassroots, consensus-based non-profit with an accomplished 25-year program focused on improving water quality and quantity for all water users.   Climate projections predict earlier snowmelts for Western Montana and hotter summers, making snowpack driven moisture and increasingly important and fragile resource.  Holding back snowpack while respecting water rights and habitat needs of fish and wildlife is critical for late-season water supplies.  This film demonstrates techniques to achieve those results, by taking cues from flood irrigators and beaver, and by treating soil as a battery that needs charging with water..

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Demonstrates a focus for ecosystem restoration in arid mountain environments dominated by snowmelt-driven moisture.

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2020

Interactive Environmental Tools

Abstract:

Millennial Cities is an interactive web mapping site that provides access to important maps, data, and web mapping applications related to climate change, social justice, the environment, and more. The purpose of including these free interactive tools on the website is to provide access to and promote the use of urban planning geospatial resources. These resources are intended to help citizens better understand their surroundings and make more informed decisions.

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2020

IPBES Assessment Report on Land Degradation and Restoration

Abstract:

The Assessment Report on Land Degradation and Restoration by the IPBES provides a critical analysis of the state of knowledge regarding the importance, drivers, status, and trends of terrestrial ecosystems. The assessment covers the global status of and trends in land degradation, by region and land cover type; the effect of degradation on biodiversity values, ecosystem services and human well-being; and the state of knowledge, by region and land cover type, of ecosystem restoration extent and options. The assessment was undertaken to enhance the knowledge base for policies for addressing land degradation, desertification and the restoration of degraded land.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Chapter 8.2 of the Assessment Report on Land Degradation and Restoration of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES 2018) reviews and discusses information, knowledge and decision support tools to identify land degradation problems, prevention and restoration options, which operate at the global, national, subnational, watershed, and sub-watershed scales. The section on identifying and mapping current land degradation directly addresses activity A1 and provides links to and descriptions of multiple land degradation assessment tools. Activity A2 is addressed in the sections on analyses of land degradation avoidance solutions and restoration options, including quantitative and comparative tools for finding restoration solutions, and tools for spatial prioritization (e.g., ROAM). Stakeholder participation (A3), costs and benefits of different management options (A4), institutional and financial aspects of decision-making (A5), and tools to reduce degradation and biodiversity losses (A6) are also discussed.

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2018

IUCN-ICMM ROUNDTABLE ON RESTORATION OF LEGACY SITES Roundtable Report

Abstract:

At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) launched a joint dialogue on mining and biodiversity1. The overarching aims of the
dialogue are:

• To improve the performance of mining industries in the area of biodiversity conservation, with a focus on reducing the negative impacts of the industry’s operations and enhancing the industry’s positive contribution to biodiversity; and
• To raise mutual awareness and understanding between the conservation community and the mining industry, so that both can contribute to improved
  outcomes for conservation and development in areas where they interact.

To further the discussion relating to the restoration of legacy sites, the Post-Mining Alliance was engaged by ICMM and IUCN in 2007 to organize and develop materials for an international roundtable of experts in this field in March 2008. This report is the result.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Highly important

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2008

Minnesota Guide for Stream Connectivity and Aquatic Organism Passage Through Culverts

Abstract:

This guide assists Minnesota culvert designers in identifying, selecting, and implementing appropriate designs for maintaining aquatic organism passage (AOP) and stream connectivity at road-stream intersections. It was synthesized from existing literature and culvert design documents, a survey of practitioners, research, and input from experts. Culvert designs often disrupt AOP, degrading stream health. Best practices for AOP at culverts were developed and summarized as follows:  1.) Design the culvert to be similar to the stream channel (reference reach), 2. Provide a continuous sediment bed with roughness similar to the channel 3.) Design for public safety, longevity, and resilience.

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2019

Moving to Industrial-Scale Coral Habitat Restoration

Abstract:

Jesper Elzinga, Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors, talks on ‘The Recovery of Reefs Using Industrial Techniques for Slick Harvesting and Release (RECRUIT)’ followed by Joaquim Garrabou, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona on ‘Lessons Learned from Coral Restoration in Shallow and Deep Environments’. There is potential to assist the recovery of impacted coral habitats through marine ecosystem restoration, but can it be achieved at a meaningful scale? This webinar addressed some of the methods that might be used in restoration of coral habitats and their applicability at larger scales.

Resource Type:Webinar
Publication Date: 2020

Renewing Our Rivers: Stream Corridor Restoration in Dryland Regions

Abstract:

Based on lessons learned gained from 33 stream restoration case studies from Australia, Mexico, and U.S., Renewing Our Rivers provides practitioners start to finish guidance on planning and implementing stream corridor restoration. Chapters focus on such topics as developing restoration goals and objectives, evaluating watershed conditions, protecting streamflow (environmental flow), adapting stream restoration to climate change, implementing restoration tactics, and monitoring and evaluating restoration results.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
High relevance

Resource Type:Book
Publication Date: 2020

Restoration of Ecosystems – Bridging Nature and Humans. A Transdisciplinary Approach

Abstract:

In this interdisciplinary textbook, which bridges the gap between the natural and social sciences both, the scientific principles of restoration ecology and practical aspects of ecosystem restoration are comprehensively presented. The diversity of land-use types with a focus on Central Europe is highlighted and case studies of practical restoration projects are presented. The textbook offers students who deal with the environment as well as scientists and practitioners a profound and up-to-date, but also critical overview of the state of knowledge. This book opens up the broad spectrum of degraded ecosystems of Central European natural and cultural landscapes. In further chapters, marine ecosystems and their restoration as well as development potentials and the limits of restoration are discussed in more detail. The ecological fundamentals are expanded through an interdisciplinary perspective taking into account environmental ethics, sociology, anthropology, and economics.

Resource Type:Book
Publication Date: 2023

Restoration of Multifunctional Cultural Landscapes. Merging Tradition and Innovation for a Sustainable Future

Abstract:

This book offers perspectives on how to develop a sustainable global balance of urbanization, land-use intensification, land abandonment, and multifunctional cultural landscapes. The focus is on the latter by describing the large variety of traditional cultural landscapes all over the world. The restoration of low-input land-use systems which often carry a high biodiversity is outlined. Land abandonment which occurs on all continents is qualitatively and quantitatively assessed and the consequences for natural and cultural heritage loss is highlighted. With the presentation of current rural development and landscape conservation strategies on the national as well as international level, the topic reflects the high significance of environmental policy on the global scale. This comprehensive compendium is thought for all students, scholars, and stakeholders from multifaceted disciplines, interested in multifunctional cultural landscapes and how traditions and innovation on the landscape level can be merged for a sustainable future on our planet.

Resource Type:Book
Publication Date: 2022

Survival and early growth of 51 tropical tree species in areas degraded by artisanal gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon

Abstract:

Artisanal gold mining in Amazon forests and rivers has been reported in all Amazonian countries. Amazon mining has a wide range of negative effects and severe environmental and social consequences. Given that the activity in the region is mostly illegal, there are few studies published in the scientific literature on recovery of areas degraded by gold mining. This study conducts an experimental reforestation project aimed to evaluate soil degradation and explore the seedling survivorship and early growth of 51 tropical tree species in gold mined areas at 5 study sites distributed across the Madre de Dios region, in the Peruvian Amazon. The study provides guidance on the post-ASGM restoration potential for 51 common and useful tree species and gives practitioners recommendations for combinations of species and fertilization treatments to optimize restoration designs.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Adequate planning and implementation of restoration

Resource Type:Peer-reviewed Article
Publication Date: 2021

UNCCD Knowledge Hub

Abstract:

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a key global authority on scientific and technical knowledge in the areas of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD), and on the negative effects of DLDD on productive land and relevant ecosystems. Through its Knowledge Hub, the UNCCD provides a framework for organizing scientific and technical information around these topics as well as access to best practices relevant to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM).

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Reports, such as Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality at the Country Level, outline the steps needed to assess land degradation (A1) and identify the key drivers of degradation (A6). The SLM section also includes guidance and best practices relevant to assessing sustainable productive practices in activity A6. The Country Information section includes National commitments to LDN, in line with activities A5 and B6, and National Action Programmes, which may add additional information. The Global Land Outlook (GLO) Regional Reports discuss stakeholder engagement (A3), legal, policy and financial frameworks (B1), land tenure (B2), and safeguarding measures for indigenous peoples and local communities (B5), among other topics relevant to restoration.

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2019

Chemical Free Farming by Restoring Soil & Water table: Conserve Local Biodiversity

Country: India

Abstract: GPS location : 22 degree 18'04. 1" N and 72 degree 58'32.6" E Name: Devapura, Gujarat, India Agro biodiversity still falls under the category of being a "poorly defined emerging issue" In general, countries have taken agro-biodiversity to refer primarily to crop genetic resources, as this is where most of the conservation efforts have been focused. further, the chemical free agriculture not only restores the soil but also restore the native fauna, water table by decreasing the weeds....

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Yes

China: Grassland Restoration in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Country: China

Abstract: The degradation of grasslands has become a serious problem in China, as once-productive lands are being lost to desertification and destructive sandstorms are occurring with increasing frequency. Past restoration efforts have focused on planting trees to mitigate these storms and disseminating seeds from airplanes in an attempt to re-establish native vegetation. Because these techniques have proven largely unsuccessful, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) conducted a pilot project in the...

Coalición Restauración Ecosistemas Santurcinos, San Juan Puerto Rico

Country: Puerto Rico

Abstract: Proyect is foucus on coastal restoration on the most urbanized area of Puerto Rico at San Juan and Carolina. We identify ecosystems surrounding areas, educate about ecosystem services, and stablish contigent value. With outreach we involve the community interest to create planns for efficient management at very low cost. We need to improve the outreach becouse people sometimes get territorial and get against the proyect. For example, on the sand dunes restoration proyect the concesionaries...

Indonesia: Central Kalimantan Peatlands Restoration Project

Country: Indonesia

Abstract: The Central Kalimantan Peatlands Project (CKPP) grew out of an increasing recognition at the local, national and international levels of the urgency of halting and reversing degradation of the peatswamp forests of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Drainage, illegal logging and fire have devastated the area's peatswamps in recent decades, and the impacts on local livelihoods, the broader economy and critical wildlife habitats have been staggering. Moreover, the annual contribution to global...

Quarries rehabilitation for landscape improvement in Kruja, Albania

Country: Albania

Abstract: A large number of abandoned quarries, which have served to produce building materials, decorative stones and various inert materials, are located, more or less, throughout the territory between Fushekruja and Kruja cities, in Albania. Albania, as in all of Europe and beyond, is taking more measures strict, imposing more environmental restrictions on the activity of quarries. Also, the decade 2021-2030, promulgated on March 1, 2019 by The United Nations General Assembly as “Decade of Nations...

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Our project is in full relevance with The Society for Ecological Restoration Mission.

Reforestation & Climate Change Mitigation: tests, evaluation and transfer of innovative methods based on fog collection

Country: Spain, Portugal

Abstract: The Life NIEBLAS project will be held in Portugal and in two areas of Spain: Catalonia and the Canary Islands. It aims to test innovative fog collectors and typologies of reforestation based on fog water collection, that don't significantly increase the carbon footprint compared to the traditional typologies, taking into account: their effectiveness, costs and benefits, including as far as possible, the externalities they produce. Specific objectives: Demonstrate and disseminate the...

Renature Monchique

Country: Portugal

Abstract: The primary objective of this partner-based project is to begin a process that assists private landowners within the municipal district of Monchique, Algarve Region, Portugal, affected by the wildfire of 2018. As most landowners have small-holdings, the project-based process required to access financial support is onerous and in many instances linked to reforestation legislation. The one-year project is funded by the Ryanair passengers Carbon Offset Fund. Based on ecological restoration...

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Recover fire-damaged and degraded sites

USA: Colorado: Uncompahgre Plateau Project

Country: United States of America

Abstract: The Uncompahgre Plateau (UP) Project was formalized in a 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/ Cooperative Agreement (CA) by the Public Lands Partnership (PLP), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and Tri-State Generation joined the partnership in 2004. These organizations formed a collaborative to restore and sustain the ecological, social, cultural and economic values of the...

USA: Two Dam Removals, One Bypass and One Fish Ladder at The Great Penobscot River Restoration, Penobscot River Watershed, Maine

Country: United States of America

Abstract: In an effort to restore eleven species of sea-run fish while resuming energy production levels, a coalition bonded together to restore the second largest river in New England. State and federal agencies, businesses and non-profits banded together to restore the Penobscot River watershed. Two dam removals and the construction of one fish by-pass, and one modernized fish ladder resulted in over 2,000 km of connected migratory fish passage concluding a massive restoration project. The ongoing...