Linking Restoration and Ecological Succession [electronic resource] / edited by Lawrence R. Walker, Joe Walker, Richard J. Hobbs.

Forging a New Alliance Between Succession and Restoration -- Insights Gained from Succession for the Restoration of Landscape Structure and Function -- Aboveground-Belowground Linkages, Ecosystem Development, and Ecosystem Restoration -- Retrogressive Succession and Restoration on Old Landscapes -- Succession and Restoration of Drained Fens: Perspectives from Northwestern Europe -- Manipulation of Succession -- Restoration as a Process of Assembly and Succession Mediated by Disturbance -- Integrating Restoration and Succession.

While studies of restoration and ecological succession have been published independently, there is much overlap between these approaches that has not been adequately explored. Linking Restoration and Ecological Succession integrates practical information from restoration projects around the world with the latest developments in successional theory. This innovative book recognizes the critical roles of disturbance ecology, landscape ecology, ecological assembly, invasion biology, ecosystem health, and historical ecology in habitat restoration and argues that restoration within a successional context will best utilize the lessons from each of these disciplines. To successfully restore an ecosystem that needs minimal care, the temporal dynamics of successional processes must be considered. By re-examining restoration in the light of succession, the authors hope to encourage the development of new approaches to the practice of restoration supported by solid ecological principles. About the Editors: Dr. Lawrence R. Walker is Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA. Dr. Joe Walker is Honorary Research Fellow at CSIRO Land and Water, Canberra, Australia. Dr. Richard J. Hobbs is Professor of Environmental Science at the School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia.