Science of Ecosystem Recovery

By Megan Roy

The Society for Ecological Restoration defines "ecological restoration" as an "intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability" The remaining 500 acres of the greater Los Cerritos Wetlands, one parcel at a time, is being recovered currently. But recovery and restoration are terms that are not quite appropriate for the activity and its result. Some ecosystems have been degraded so much that new ecosystems have been created that were not there before. Restoration practitioners may choose to keep a newly existing habitat and enhance it by replacing non-natives with natives, creating buffers, increasing diversity, and more. A good example of a change in habitat type is "Marketplace Marsh", a parcel adjacent to Zedler Marsh that was converted from a salt marsh to a freshwater marsh with the deterrence of tidal influence from past developments. Much of the freshwater is runoff from the neighboring Marketplace parking lot. Thriving willows, mulefat, and cattails can be found in this functional ecosystem. 


This discussion provokes the question if full recovery to a site's historical condition is unattainable or simply undesirable?