Question

Can ecosystems be restored? What has to happen for that to work?

Short answer

Ecosystems can be restored. It requires eliminate the sources of degradation, reintroduce lost species, reinstate natural ecological processes, and monitor continually for sustained recovery.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Ecosystem Restoration

Ecosystem restoration refers to the process of assisting in the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. This usually involves human intervention in order to accelerate the recovery of the ecosystem to its natural, self-sustaining state.

Is Ecosystem Restoration Possible?

Indeed, ecosystem restoration is possible, and it has been done in various parts of the world. However, the restoration process can often be complex, time-consuming, and costly depending upon the degree of the initial degradation and the specific requirements of the particular ecosystem.

Necessary Conditions for Ecosystem Restoration

For an ecosystem restoration to work, several conditions must be met. This can include: removing sources of degradation, reinstating ecological processes which may include water flow or natural fires, reintroducing lost species to the environment and closely monitoring the ecosystem to ensure its sustained recovery. Each condition must be tailored to suit the unique requirements of the specific ecosystem being restored.