Restoring Ecosystems Around the Mediterranean Basin: Beyond the Frontiers of Ecological Science

Abstract

Based on concrete examples gathered from the Mediterranean region, this article shows why restoration ecology around the Mediterranean Basin must go beyond ecological science to embrace a contrasting local vision which integrates social and political realities. By taking into account the growing gap between the northern and southern/eastern shores of the Mediterranean, we propose the adoption of a double agenda for restoration around the Mediterranean to overcome the fact that restoration objectives are often jeopardized by political decisions initially aimed to promote conservation and lack of available technical means (even when appropriate scientific and political means are secured), and to enhance local actions with lasting impacts on the ecosystems. Our discussion illustrates how current ecological problems have become extremely complex and how the success of restoration projects depends on effective social interactions. Here, the simple juxtaposition of disciplines is no longer sufficient. We suggest going beyond existing ecological and socioeconomic frontiers to fill three main gaps. To fill the "design gap" it is important from the outset to promote a full debate for correct definition of the project's objectives and success indicators. Second, to fill the "implementation gap" ecological restoration science should be linked to information technology and cognition science to develop tools adapted for ecological debate. Third, to fill the "evaluation gap" aesthetic, social, cultural, and economic indicators should be defined during the debate process.

Similarities in stakeholder identification of restoration targets in a semiarid area

“…In ecological restoration, both formal and local knowledge are complementary, and their combination can be beneficial for sustaining the delivery of multiple ecosystem services (Khater et al, 2012). In this sense, our results showed that each group is called to learn from the other in order to capture the entire range of ecological restoration targets.…”

“…Furthermore, their opinion is rarely considered in the early phases of the projects, such as the definition of objectives and priorities of restoration actions (Khater et al, 2012). In most cases, scientists and managers seem more concerned about the acceptance of their own visions, rather than open to the perspectives and needs of other stakeholders (Menzel and Teng, 2009).…”

Combining bioengineering and plant conservation on a Mediterranean islet

“…This is considered a basic element supporting the restoration process of Mediterranean areas (Khater et al 2011). Public has been informed about the need and the aims of the restoration effort and its success has a positive effect on people, in total agreement with the so-called "socially robust restoration strategies" (Gross 2006).…”

Mediterranean Quarry Rehabilitation Manual: Learn the Holcim Experience

“…Throughout the last decades, Lebanon faced intense quarrying activities resulting in severe degradation of its ecosystems, illustrated by alterations of the vegetation cover, landform modifications and natural resources' depletion (Khater et al, 2011a;2011b). The number of quarries in Lebanon increased from 784 to 1278 between 1989 and 2005, and quarried areas almost doubled since then (Darwish et al, 2011).…”

“…Ideally, restoration ecology provides clear concepts, models, methodologies and tools for practitioners to support their practice . The practice of restoration ecology, when dealing with a degraded ecosystem, offers three ways for accelerating and orienting the natural processes (Khater et al, 2011b). Aronson et al (1993), Aronson and Le Floc'h (1995), Martin et al (2002), SER (2002, and offer an exhaustive review of these three main concepts' definitions which could be restated as: 1) Restoration: relying on spontaneous natural processes/dynamics and assisting the recovery of the pre-existing ecosystem (closer to what it was before the anthropic disturbance).…”