Ecosystem reconstruction refers to an artificial process through which an ecosystem that has been destroyed, damaged, or degraded can be artificially assisted in the recovery. This reconstruction is carried out for several reasons. One of the reasons it may be carried out is to preserve endangered wildlife species. The process also helps in the mitigation of climate change. Biosphere 2 is a company that has been dramatically involved in reconstructing the environment. The facility has conducted extensive research on ecosystems and how they can be modified to create a more sustainable future for humanity. This paper looks at the processes of ecosystem reconstruction for both land and sea ecosystems through the introduction of new plant and animal species.
Land ecosystems
The desert ecosystem consists of plants and animals that have developed various adaptations to survive the harsh climatic conditions. Examples of animals found here include lizards, snakes, camels, and small rodents. However, according to Vidiella Rocamora et al. (2019), various plants and trees are extremely useful in terraforming desert ecosystems, such as Cassia, Acacia, and Eucalyptus. These species, especially Acacia, could enrich the soil and provide shelter and shade, hence reconstructing the arid ecosystems to allow them to support more biodiversity. Several regions worldwide are currently undergoing desertification due to climate change, leading to biodiversity loss. There is, therefore, a great need for ecosystem reconstruction initiatives to be put in place.
According to Windsor et al. (2021), the introduction of plant mixes or multiple species of a plant to an environment can be used to generate certain ecological benefits. Genetic algorithms can be used to identify species that have synergistic interactions while eliminating combinations that may have antagonistic interactions. For example, in a region where the researchers want to maximize vegetative cover, it may be essential to introduce plant groups that maximize pollination while reducing herbivory. For example, a mixture of daisy, coneflower, and butterfly bush would be introduced to an ecosystem that requires more pollination, as these have synergistic effects in the attraction of pollinating agents, which would, in turn, translate to more vegetative growth.
According to Potgieter et al. (2017), alien plants in a locality may perform invaluable ecological services, and they may therefore be used for ecosystem restructuring. The introduction of these plants in certain localities has also been linked with sudden increases in insect populations, especially insects that may exhibit symbiotic or dependency relationships with the plant. These insects may, in turn, influence the composition of other biotic components of the ecosystem. This shows how the introduction of alien plants to an ecosystem can lead to its reconstruction. However, it is vital to assess the invasive risk before introducing a non-native plant to a locality.
Animal Species and Breeds for Restoration
The introduction of natural predators is another technique used for ecosystem reconstruction. This technique would be used because it influences the food chain. For example, there may be an excessive reduction of vegetative cover in a particular environment due to the overpopulation of primary consumers, which are herbivores. The loss of vegetative cover exposes soil to erosion, which would lead to further loss of biodiversity. The solution to this problem would be to introduce a natural predator, for example, a jaguar, a leopard, or a cheetah. These organisms would help in the restructuring of the ecosystem. Similarly, predators may be introduced into the oceans to help deal with offending species.
In Switzerland and several other countries worldwide, green alder shrubs tend to quickly overgrow pastures, so livestock ends up being emaciated due to a reduction in the available pastures to feed on. This is also the case in several other countries whereby pastures for livestock are overgrown by other plant forms, especially herbs and shrubs that are not usually consumed by livestock. Therefore, ecosystem restructuring is required in these areas to ensure that the livestock available have sufficient access to pasture. In the case of Switzerland, Engadine sheep and similar breeds have been introduced to help solve the ecological dilemma. This type of sheep selectively feeds on the shrubs and herbs, giving room for the pasture to grow unhindered. Engadine sheep are the result of cross-breeding Alpines Steinschaf sheep and Bergamasca sheep.
Ocean ecosystems
In our oceans, the restoration of coral reefs is a significant part of reconstructing ecosystems. It is estimated that only 40% of the current coral reefs will remain after about 30 years from today. This significantly affects marine ecosystems, especially because 25% of all marine life is sheltered in coral reefs. Hence, reconstruction of the marine ecosystem is being carried out by planting more coral reefs in the oceans. Corals are also being bred in tanks and transplanted into the reefs. The restoration of coral reefs has the potential to reconstruct marine ecosystems completely. The Biosphere 2 system has successfully been used to model the recovery of the ocean ecosystem through several measures, including the restoration of corals (Conover, 2019).
Other methods of ecosystem restoration
There are several other methods of ecosystem reconstruction, for example, reducing tillage and other artificial activities. These activities allow for the natural recovery of the land and the ecosystem and the replenishment of resources. The use of natural solutions as opposed to artificial fertilizer and pesticides is also recommended. In addition, diversity and variety are essential in that land should be allowed to support a variety of plants, trees, and animals, to promote ecological balances, which are necessary for ecosystem reconstruction. In considering ecosystem reconstruction, it is essential to note that a wide array of ecosystems exist: urban areas, peatlands, coasts and oceans, mountains, savannahs, shrublands, grasslands, freshwaters, forests, and farmlands. All these minor ecosystems should be given adequate consideration as they all contribute to the major ecosystem. Control of pollution is an important step toward all forms of ecological restructuring, and it entails the use of renewable energy, reducing the carbon footprint, and proper waste management.
Conclusion
Ecosystem reconstruction is beneficial because it allows species of living organisms to thrive in areas that they are not native. It also prevents the loss of habitats and helps habitats recover as quickly as is practically possible. Ecosystems should, therefore, be conserved at all costs because of their invaluable role in the community, which consists of ecosystem services. These include providing us with food, recycling nutrients, regulating the climate, maintaining the soil, purifying the air, and cleaning our water. According to Peters (2020), the cost of nature destruction is astronomical, which underpins the need for efforts to be put in place to set ecosystem reconstruction on track.
References
Conover, C. (2019, April 11). Modeling Ocean Recovery at Biosphere 2 - AZPM. Arizona Public Media. https://news.azpm.org/p/news-splash/2019/4/5/149130-seeking-solutions-for-the-worlds-oceans-at-biosphere-2/
Peters, A. (2020, February 11). By 2050, the U.S. will lose $83 billion a year because of all the nature we’ve destroyed. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/90463133/by-2050-the-u-s-will-lose-83-billion-a-year-because-of-all-the-nature-weve-destroyed
Potgieter, L. J., Gaertner, M., Kueffer, C., Larson, B. M. H., Livingstone, S. W., O’Farrell, P. J., & Richardson, D. M. (2017). Alien plants as mediators of ecosystem services and disservices in urban systems: a global review. Biological Invasions, 19(12), 3571–3588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-017-1589-8
Vidiella Rocamora, B., Conde-Pueyo, N., Sardanyés, J., & Sole, R. (2019). Terraforming Semiarid Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.20123.52001/1
Windsor, F. M., Tavella, J., Rother, D. C., Raimundo, R. L. G., Devoto, M., Guimarães, P. R., & Evans, D. M. (2021). Identifying plant mixes for multiple ecosystem service provision in agricultural systems using ecological networks. Journal of Applied Ecology, 58(12), 2770–2782. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14007