Novel ecosystems: necessity, revolution, or laziness?
Paleologou, Michael (author) British Columbia Institute of Technology Ecological Restoration Program (Degree granting institution)
Research paper/project
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
British Columbia Institute of Technology
2020
74 pages
The earth’s environment, climate, and natural systems are constantly changing, having little resemblance of ecosystems past. These new systems functioning in balance are termed “novel ecosystems” and have arisen as the new normal posing an important question in the restoration field as to how these systems should be approached. To address the state of novel ecosystems in the academic literature, I devised a matrix to assess variables of description regarding novel ecosystems and how they are expressed in the literature. Results showed a predominance of self-assembled systems with a disposition towards invasive species as a primary threat. Chemical, physical, and landscape data was severely lacking and most metrics for success were ecological. Data from the literature show a lack of research on designed novel ecosystems but shows promise for success given several examples. More research on novel ecosystems in restoration must be undertaken to fill gaps in aggregate data.
Ecological Restoration Novel Ecosystems Literature Review
Ecological restoration
Ecological Restoration Program
electronic
© Michael Paleologou, 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.
Master of Science in Ecological Restoration