Originally published: 2012.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

You can't not choose -- How did we get here?: a brief history of ecological restoration -- Restoration is an active choice -- Climate change: is rapid pace and magnitude a bridge too far for ecological restoration? -- Novel ecosystems: a new wrinkle for ecological restoration -- Geographical variation in attitudes to ecological restoration and why it matters -- Renewed restoration: building a middle path toward a restored earth -- Building the restored future: making the renewal happen.

"What is a natural habitat? Who can define what is natural when species and ecosystems constantly change over time, with or without human intervention? When a polluted river or degraded landscape is restored from its damaged state, what is the appropriate outcome? With climate change now threatening greater disruption to the stability of ecosystems, how should restoration ecologists respond? Ecological Restoration and Environmental Change addresses and challenges some of these issues which question the core values of the science and practice of restoration ecology. It analyzes the paradox arising from the desire to produce ecological restorations that fit within an historical ecological context, produce positive environmental benefits and also result in landscapes with social meaning. Traditionally, restorationists often felt that by producing restorations that matched historic ecosystems they were following nature's plans and human agency played only a small part in restoration. But the author shows that in reality the process of restoration has always been defined by human choices. He examines the development of restoration practice, especially in North America, Europe and Australia, in order to describe different models of restoration with respect to balancing ecological benefit and cultural value. He develops ways to balance more actively these differing areas of concern while planning restorations. The book debates in detail how coming global climate change will force us to ask new questions about what we mean by good ecological restoration."--p. [4] of cover.

College of Arts and Sciences