Dead planet, living planet

in all aspects of the project. Restoration should not follow a

monolithic, top-down plan that treats all projects the same and

should encourage public and stakeholder participation when-

ever possible. This is absolutely crucial for success.

Implementation plans

describe the tasks that will be per-

formed to realize project objectives. These tasks collectively

comprise the project design that includes all activities, treat-

ments, and manipulations to be executed, including decisions

to avoid intervention. Performance standards and monitoring

protocols are typically part of the project design that allow for

projects to be evaluated and subjected to adaptive manage-

ment practices.

Project implementation

is the phase in which tasks are ex-

ecuted according to the project design. Project boundaries are

demarcated and monitoring equipment is setup. Site mainte-

nance and protection are also important during the implemen-

tation phase. Adaptive management as a restoration strategy

is highly recommended, if not essential,because what happens

in one phase of project work can alter what was planned for

the next phase. This applies to social, cultural and economic

outcomes as well.

Evaluation and publicity

are also critical components of a suc-

cessful restoration project. Thorough assessments are periodi-

cally necessary to ensure the on-going fulfillment of project

objectives and goals. However, monitoring, adaptive manage-

ment practices and site maintenance must be ongoing. The

project is publicized for public outreach as well as academic

and professional feedback.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Prioritize to protect biodiversity and ecosystem ser-

vice hotspots, even when partially degraded, to halt

further degradation and allow for restoration plan-

ning to commence.

Conservation, within the context of

spatial planning, provides by far the most cost efficient

way to secure ecosystem services. This is particularly criti-

cal for areas with high degree of land pressures and de-

velopment.

Ensure that investments in restoration are combined

with long-term ecosystem management

in both re-

stored and in surrounding areas to ensure gradual re-

covery. Overseas Development Agencies, International

finance agencies and other funders including regional

development banks and bilateral agencies should fac-

tor ecosystem restoration into development support; job

generation and poverty alleviation funding.

Infrastructure projects that damage an ecosystem

should set aside funds

to restore a similar degraded

ecosystem elsewhere in a country or community. Pay-

ments for Ecosystem Services should include a propor-

tion of the payment for the restoration and rehabilitation

of damaged and degraded ecosystems. One percent of

GDP should be considered a target for investments in

conservation and restoration.

Apply a multidisciplinary approach across stake-

holders

in order to make restoration investments

successful. Wise investments reduce future costs and

future public expenses, but it is imperative that the

driving forces and pressures behind the initial degra-

dation are addressed in order to secure progressive re-

covery and that local stakeholders become involved and

benefit from the restoration process.

Ensure that restoration projects take into account

the changing world:

Ecosystem restoration should be

implemented in consideration of scenarios for change in