10 Tenets of Urban Restoration

By Mark S. Laska, Ph.D., Great Eastern Ecology, Inc.

One criterion for a successful project might be whether it is regenerative (requiring no further human interference or support) in a location with appropriate soils and hydrology to support the targeted vegetation and faunal communities.
Photos courtesy of Mark S. Laska, Ph.D., Great Eastern Ecology, Inc.

Habitat restoration, creation and mitigation are different in an urban setting compared with rural area. The impacts of urbanization on an ecosystem are severe and include not only contamination and high densities of invasive species, but also fragmentation of habitats, making connectivity difficult.

Based on a decade of urban restoration ecology experience, we have developed the approach summarized below in what we call our ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Each restoration project has its own unique set of success criteria and measurable objectives. An often-used success criterion for a wetland restoration is whether the population of fish that breed on the marsh surface has increased.

The process begins with establishing clearly defined, quantitative criteria for what will be considered a successful project. It is essential to utilize multiple success criteria to define whether any wetland restoration project meets its goals and objectives. One criterion, for example, might be whether a wetland is self-sustaining (requiring no further human interference or support) in a location with appropriate soils and hydrology to support the targeted vegetation and faunal communities. Another often-used success criterion is whether the population of fish that breed on the marsh surface has increased. Below are the Ten Tenets for establishing successful criteria and measurable objectives:

1. Identify/select an appropriate, ecologically viable ?EUR??,,????'?????<
2. People: long-term stewardship planning (which may include community/education programs) is essential for the lasting success of urban restoration projects.

When evaluating, planning, designing, constructing and monitoring the restored habitat system or systems (i.e., modifying topographic grades, establishing hydrology, planning vegetation and utilizing specific habitat enhancement features), the planning and design of the restoration and enhancement can then be grounded in the ?EUR??,,????'?????<