How can you restore habitats in degraded areas?

After assessment of the magnitude of degradation, a rehabilitation action plan should be drafted detailing best applicable strategies while identifying and mitigating risks. Every stage should fully involve all stakeholders.

For me, it is important to start with a baseline diagnosis. In which some kind of methodology is used that allows to combine the history of the degradation and the natural aspects surrounding it. This means working on an integral analysis of the area and a scope or limits of what you want to restore. Nature itself carries out the activity of change and restores ecosystems to their natural balance. However, for nature to act it is necessary to prioritize the integrality of its components in action.

First things first: before you even start you project, you got to understand why it is necessary. What happened there? How it used to be? About which biome are we talking about? Once you have this kind of information, you'll have the basics to start. Always remembering: degraded areas won't come back to what they used to be, but you'll try to make it get as close as possible. In rare cases, it is possible to be better, but it takes a lot of time.

Reforestation or tree planting: Reintroduce native tree and plant species to restore vegetative cover and provide habitat structure. - Wetland restoration: Restore hydrological conditions, remove drainage infrastructure, and reintroduce wetland vegetation. - Stream or river restoration: Implement measures to improve water flow, stabilize banks, and reintroduce native aquatic species. - Soil restoration: Improve soil health and fertility through techniques such as adding organic matter, erosion control measures, and soil amendments. - Artificial structures: Install artificial structures such as nest boxes, bat roosts, or bee hotels to provide nesting or roosting opportunities for wildlife.

Nothing better than to order the objectives based on the population affected or directly related to the problem. This means knowing their priorities, needs and acting in accordance with the people closest to the degraded area to improve it.

Well, I'd thought in terms of preventing, such as a strategy for future issues relating to degraded areas. But in cases where the area is going to be degraded, it is necessary to take action through a concept called bioengineering. This is a concept based on aspects such as nature and its methods of regeneration. For example, the leaves of the trees, when they are in the soil, don't cause any damage because the degradation makes it possible to obtain new nutrients for the soil, thus supporting the life of new trees.

In any type of strategy, you'll have to understand that they are aiming to give the environment the potential to be resilient, bringing the biodiversity to live there again. It is possible to do that, despite the time it takes. There always a few points to consider: time, money and amount of work. You'll have to choose two of these to focus, as the third one will be high. Once you're up to it, develop your project knowing that it has a few flaws (takes too long, too expensive or needs too many people) that you'll have to deal with. Although, it can show you solid results in a matter of 10-15 years after it is done.

Set Restoration Goals: Define clear and achievable restoration goals based on the desired ecological outcomes and the specific needs of the habitat and its associated species. Goals may include enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, restoring hydrological processes, or providing habitat for specific endangered species. Develop a detailed restoration plan that outlines the strategies, techniques, and timeline for restoring the habitat. Consider factors such as site preparation, appropriate native plant species selection, erosion control measures, and the involvement of local communities or stakeholders.Invasive plants, animals, or pathogens can hinder habitat recovery. Implement measures to remove or control invasive

It is the control document that contains the set of technical specifications that allow the Administration to monitor what was agreed in the environmental impact study. It can be developed later, as it can be modified or extended when the Environmental Impact Statement is made.

The purpose of the development of this strategy is to maximise community engagement and participation. Initiatives developed in accordance with this strategy will develop skills, knowledge and values that promote and encourage behaviour in support of a sustainable environment. It will:

There's no secret about it: there's no restoration without investment and/or structure and support. It is clear and relevant to say that the greater the purchasing power of the interested party, the greater the potential for.restoration. Of course, we understand that planning is crucial to avoid unnecessary costs, but no matter how elaborate, technical or precise, there is no miracle, restoring ecosystems requires investment and constancy.

If everything went as planned, the scenario is: - Plants can live on their own there (no human intervention with watering or fertilizers); - All kinds of animals roam on those areas (this means that ecossythemical roles are working); - Any natural damage (e.g., a fallen tree) is an oportunity for other individuals to rise; and - It seems natural (you can't tell it was a degraded area that was restored, feels like it's been there since the begining). If you have all of these, you definetely made it work. Now it is time to compare what was and what is. Possibly they are very similar.

Bamboo is an amazing plant that thrives on degraded land. As there are bamboo species in most tropical and sun-tropical countries, this is a natural solution to erosion control and habitat restoration. There are great examples from China, Equador, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Thailand.

Synergy across all these aspects can rejuvenate the health of the ecosystem. I am sharing an example of this. In February 2022, I initiated a restoration project in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India. The land had been degraded due to illegal mining of Gypsum. However, within a short span of two years, it is now thriving as a balanced habitat. Below link explains it in detail 👇🏻 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/holistic-habitat-healing-comprehensive-approach-shyamsunder-jyani?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via

In California, grow native plants like coyote brush/bush and Ca Lilac. They are both excellent soil stabilizers and grow on poor soil.