STAPER

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

Ecosystem Service Valuation for Wetland Restoration: What it is, How to do it and Best Practice Recommendations

Abstract:

Many of the intrinsic and implicit benefits of wetland functions for society are unaccounted for in the market system. Therefore, communicating restoration project benefits, and hence, generating political and financial support for wetland restoration can prove difficult. Ecosystem service valuation is a technique which can aid in the development of public and political support for wetland restoration projects by deriving monetary values as well as relative value indicators (quantitative and qualitative) for many non-marketed benefits produced by wetlands. If performed well, it can provide a more balanced perspective of the costs of wetland restoration against a more comprehensive consideration of the associated benefits. This paper provides a brief overview of the terms “natural capital” and “ecosystem service valuation”, a history of their use in wetland practice and policy, and an explanation of the valuation process, available methods and recommendations for best practices within the field of wetland restoration.

Resource Type:White Paper
Publication Date: 2014

Funding Ecosystem Restoration in Europe

Abstract:

Restoring ecosystems can increase biodiversity, safeguard the ecosystem services on which people and nature depend, and contribute to climate change mitigation. 2020 and beyond brings opportunities for significant scaling up of ecosystem restoration. Ambitions such as theEuropean Green Deal (2019), the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (2020), the EU Nature Restoration Plan (2019), and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), present a tremendous opportunity to bring about transformational change.

In order to be successful, decision making must consider current and past ecosystem restoration activities, the amount and focus of past and current funding, and the range of actors involved. Until now, this information has been  unavailable. In response to this information gap, UNEP-WCMC and FFI compiled a database of over 400 ecosystem restoration projects within Europe. This report accompanies the database, and contains analysis of what was funded, where, by whom, how much, and for what purpose. You can access the database here: https://restorationfunders.com/

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2020

Global Tree Knowledge Platform

Abstract:

The Global Tree Knowledge Platform is all about the trees in ‘treed’ landscapes. Its purpose is to support the better use of tree species – to promote the right tree in the right place for the right purpose – to bring greater benefits to humans and the environment. The Platform can be used in two ways, either based on the type of resource (Tree databases | Maps and Apps | Guidelines | Analysis packages) or by subject (Domesticating tree species | Sourcing planting material for growers | Trees and climate change | Exploring the many uses of tree species). Planters, scientists, policy makers and anyone else who is interested in trees will enjoy using the resources. For each resource, we explain its use and the user group.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
Various resources in the Global Tree Knowledge Platform are directly relevant for steps A, B, C or D. For example, the Agroforestry Species Switchboard provides access to 53 web-based information sources for over 170,000 plant species

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2022

Guidance and tool protocols for assessing the climate change mitigation benefits of landscape restoration

Abstract:

This document sets out the ethos, tools, and methods used to provide a greenhouse gas (GHG) balance estimate for restoration projects, using projects from the Endangered Landscapes Programme as a case study. The document provides guidance on using two GHG assessment tools, EX-ACT and the Carbon Benefits Project toolkit, to estimate the climate change mitigation benefit of landscape-scale restoration projects and the restoration activities they include.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
This report helps to understand and demonstrate how ecosystem restoration can contribute to national and international targets for climate change mitigation (activity B6)

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2021

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

Measuring Climate Change Mitigation Potential

Abstract:

UNEP-WCMC and partners have developed a how-to guide to help practitioners quantify the climate change mitigation potential of landscape restoration projects.  These tools are based on guidance and methodologies from the IPCC, and allow users to enter data about their projects to produce rapid assessments of climate mitigation potential. The tools were originally created to assess projects focused on land management, but have been increasingly adopted in conservation. However, they can be challenging to use, making a how-to guide essential to ensure they are understood and applied correctly.  This new guidance allows restoration practitioners to better understand the ethos, tools, and methods available to produce greenhouse gas balance estimates for ecosystem restoration actions. It covers the full assessment process, from selecting an appropriate tool, to collecting data, developing scenarios, and understanding results. The goal is to enable restoration projects to better demonstrate their multiple benefits by quantifying their climate mitigation potential.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
This report helps to demonstrate how ecosystem restoration can contribute to national and international targets for climate change mitigation and provides methodology and case studies to help assess the carbon benefits of ecosystem restoration

Resource Type:Technical Document
Publication Date: 2022

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

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

Roots of Prosperity: The economics and finance of restoring land

Abstract:

The premise of this report is that there is an urgent need to increase financing for restoration, and there are many pathways to make this happen. This publication explains seven key barriers to investment in restoration and highlights policy solutions and financial mechanisms—many of which are already in play—that can be used to overcome these barriers. Through a discussion of the financial and economic issues surrounding restoration, the report encourages governments and practitioners to conduct analyses and enact strategies that support forest and landscape restoration.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
This report discusses the economics and finance of land restoration, including how to prioritize projects based on specific objectives, and estimate the effects of restoration on job creation, GDP growth, poverty alleviation, food security, and greenhouse gas emissions. It specifically discusses costs and benefits of restoration (A4) and how smart policies and innovative financing (A5) can help governments meet their restoration targets.

Resource Type:White Paper
Publication Date: 2017

The People’s Global Resource Bank

Abstract:

GRB shareholders are a social, ecological, economic network of people who value natural air, water, soil, light, plants, climate, shelter, organisms and food in the commodity-backed cryptocurrency, Eco. The GRB eco (e) gains everyone a sufficient, sustainable and secure eco income for life. GRB shareholders guide a bountiful human-computer GRB eco-economic algorithm without countries, private banks, public debt, interest, taxes, scarcity, fear, racism, war, poverty, pollution, pandemics, climate change and environmental degradation.

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2020

UN-REDD Programme

Abstract:

The UN-REDD Programme supports countries to apply the UNFCCC’s safeguards, and to conduct land-use planning for REDD+ to deliver multiple environmental and social benefits while reducing risk. REDD+ activities, as defined by the UNFCCC, includes the enhancement of forest carbon stocks, which may be implemented through restoration interventions.

Relevance for the Short Term Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration:
The UN-REDD website contains resources on stakeholder engagement and gender balance (A3), forest governance (A4), and tenure security (B2). The Multiple Benefits webpage of the UN-REDD Programme contains a number of national and subnational scale spatial analyses of the potential for REDD+ implementation to deliver multiple benefits, which include the conservation of biodiversity, in line with activity A4. Several mapping tutorials and a GIS toolbox are also available to support REDD+ planning and secure multiple benefits.

Resource Type:Web-based Resource
Publication Date: 2019

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...

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