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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
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