What is ecosystem restoration? Methods and benefits

Is “sustainable” development enough?

Sustainable development is using natural resources while ensuring the environment can recover. This means growth shouldn’t harm the ecosystem’s self-recovery capability.

But, this concept, while ideal, is no longer feasible in today’s reality.

According to the Global Footprint Network, as of August 1, 2024, we’ve reached the Earth Overshoot Day. This is when humanity has used up the amount of natural resources that Earth can regenerate in a year.

This indicates that we’re consuming resources 1.7 times faster than the ecosystem’s ability to regenerate. In other words, since August 1, 2024, we’ve been using resources that should belong to the future. This poses a lot of pressure on the environment.

This leads to a clear reality: sustainable development alone is no longer enough to address the current resource crisis. Organizations, businesses, and governments need to go beyond sustainable development.

Ecosystem restoration is the answer.

Ecosystem restoration can prevent further damage and help recover what has been lost in the environment. This way, nature won’t only survive but also thrive in the future.

What is ecosystem restoration?

Ecosystem restoration is recovering the parts of nature harmed by human activities.

This process aims to restore ecological functions, protect biodiversity, and ensure environmental sustainability. Restored ecosystems not only make water and air clean again. It’s the key to climate regulation and diverse species preservation.

Ecosystem restoration is a vital component of several international conventions and agreements. These include:

• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
• The Paris Agreement (2015)

These recognize the role of ecosystem restoration in mitigating climate change and maintaining a safe world for us all.

In June 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared the 2021-2030 period as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this initiative prevents, halts, and reverses ecosystem degradation. The goal is to restore billions of hectares of land and aquatic ecosystems. If successful, ecosystem restoration will ensure a more sustainable planet for the future.

What are the benefits of ecosystem restoration?

Ecosystem restoration not only helps recover ecosystems but also provides many other benefits. This includes:

Supporting climate change mitigation

According to a report by UNEP and FAO, ecosystem restoration could contribute about one-third of the efforts needed to mitigate climate change by 2030.

This means restoring ecosystems can significantly absorb and remove GHG emissions. This could support the global goal of reducing emissions by at least 45% by 2030 to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Restoring ecosystems also helps keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C as per the Paris Agreement.

Restoring biodiversity

Ecosystem restoration helps restore habitats for many species. This contributes to the prevention of extinction for threatened species.

UNEP highlights that restoring mangrove forests, which are increasingly being cleared for infrastructure development, can help recover the habitats of thousands of species. Over 1,500 plant and animal species depend on mangroves. This includes fish and birds that use the mangrove canopy’s shallow waters as shelter.

Studies also show that mangroves play a crucial role for larger endangered species like monkeys and tigers.

Improving air quality

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a leading factor affecting human health. About 4.2 million deaths in 2016 were related to air pollution.

Forests and other natural ecosystems play a crucial role in filtering air and removing pollutants. On average, one hectare of forest can absorb about 50 tons of carbon, equal to about 180 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Thus, forest restoration can help reduce air pollution-related diseases. This includes asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality rates.

Protecting water resources

Restoring ecosystems, particularly wetlands, is vital in protecting freshwater resources essential for life. According to the Global Wetlands Outlook, despite wetlands still covering a global area of 1.2 billion hectares, they're rapidly declining. Since 1970, about 35% of natural wetlands have disappeared.

Restoring wetlands not only improves water storage capacity. It ensures clean water for millions of people worldwide while reducing the risk of food crises and climate change.

Increasing agricultural productivity

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), land degradation has severely affected 40% of the global population. This is expected to reduce global food productivity by 12%, causing food prices to rise by up to 30% by 2040.

Restoring agricultural land through crop rotation, organic fertilization, and no-till farming can enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security. These practices also help stabilize farmers' incomes and contribute to global agricultural sustainability.

Reducing disaster risks

Ecosystem restoration reduces the risk of natural disasters like floods, landslides, and storms. Forests and mangroves can absorb rainfall, slow down runoff, and protect coastlines from large waves and strong winds.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), water retention capability in forests depends on their area, tree density, and type. In basins with more than 70% forest cover, water retention is over 50% higher compared to areas with only 10% forest.

The EEA also indicates that forests keep water about 25% better in summer than in winter. This allows us to adjust storm prevention measures better based on the season.

Creating jobs in the environmental sector

Ecosystem restoration can create many job opportunities in nature conservation, forest management, and ecological research.

UNEP estimates that ecosystem restoration projects could create over 20 million new jobs globally by 2030. These jobs not only contribute to environmental protection. They also promote sustainable economic development.

Currently, about 75 million people work in nature-based solutions. Many of these positions are part-time. The total equivalent full-time employment is estimated at around 14.5 million people.

Promoting tourism development

Restoring natural ecosystems also promotes ecotourism development. This provides significant economic benefits for businesses and countries.

According to reports, ecotourism is growing rapidly with annual growth rates between 20-34%. It contributes about 7% to the total tourism market and is worth $195 billion annually. This market is expected to reach $333.8 billion by 2027.

Ecotourism attracts over 1 billion trips per year. This helps with biodiversity conservation and local community development. About 30% of international tourists are ecotourists, with an average stay of 10 days.

How can we restore the ecosystem?

Restoring the ecosystem requires collective action from organizations, governments, and businesses. Here are some methods for ecosystem restoration:

Ending overexploitation

Ending overexploitation is a crucial step to protect natural resources from depletion. By adopting sustainable management practices and limiting exploitation, we can help ecosystems recover and ensure the continued availability of these resources.

Reducing emissions

Reducing GHG emissions is vital. Implementing clean technologies, switching to renewable energy, and improving efficiency can lower emissions. This helps mitigate climate change and supports ecosystem restoration.

Restoring forests

Restoring degraded forests is among the most effective methods for environmental restoration. Planting trees and rehabilitating forests enhance ecological functions, protect biodiversity, and reduce the impacts of climate change.

Improving soil quality

Improving soil quality is important for agriculture and biodiversity. Sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation, organic fertilization, and reduced tillage, help restore soil fertility and structure. This benefits both productivity and the environment.

Restoring aquatic ecosystems

This includes cleaning water sources, restoring wetlands, and returning rivers to their natural flow. Restoring aquatic ecosystems improves water quality, protects biodiversity, and reduces risks from natural disasters like floods and droughts.

Connecting natural areas

Creating ecological corridors between conservation areas helps wildlife thrive. Fragmentation of habitats is a leading cause of biodiversity loss. Connecting natural areas not only maintains biodiversity. It enhances the resilience of ecosystems.

Removing invasive species

Invasive species damage ecosystems by competing for resources, reducing biodiversity, and altering ecosystem structures. Controlling and removing them helps protect native ecosystems. It also maintains ecological balance and supports restoration efforts.

Developing eco-friendly urban areas

Sustainable urban development includes designing and constructing urban areas to minimize environmental impacts. This involves using eco-friendly materials, increasing green spaces, and applying energy-saving measures. Eco-friendly urban development reduces pollution and creates better living environments for people.

What has Oxalis done to restore the ecosystem?

Oxalis Adventure has taken specific actions in ecotourism to protect and restore ecosystems:

Using renewable energy, reducing emissions

We use renewable energy from solar panels to power offices, campsites, and vehicles. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Minimizing waste, increasing recycling and reuse

Oxalis reduces waste through effective waste management, such as composting, recycling, and reusing. We carefully calculate meal portions to reduce food waste. Meanwhile, organic waste is used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for forest trees.

Carbon offsetting

Oxalis offsets carbon emissions by supporting emission-reduction projects. This includes investing in solar power systems for local communities to help reduce CO2 in the air. We also allocate resources and emphasize operational processes. This is to ensure the preservation of natural environments during tourism activities, providing habitats for wildlife. We also contribute to environmental organizations to support initiatives to mitigate climate change and conserve biodiversity.

Education and raising environmental awareness

Education is an integral part of Oxalis’ strategy. We train staff in best environmental practices, provide them with tools, and encourage their participation. Customers are also guided on how to be responsible travelers. This helps minimize their impact during tours.

Collaborating to protect natural resources and wildlife

We work with local authorities and experts to protect the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. We collaborate with park management, local communities, and stakeholders. This is to ensure our tours follow conservation regulations and objectives.

The Oxalis Experience.