Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems: Science, Technology, and Public Policy

Synopsis

Aldo Leopold, father of the "land ethic," once said, "The time has come for science to busy itself with the earth itself. The first step is to reconstruct a sample of what we had to begin with." The concept he expressed - restoration - is defined in this comprehensive new volume that examines the prospects for repairing the damage society has done to the nation's aquatic resources: lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands. "Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems" outlines a national strategy for aquatic restoration, with practical recommendations, and features case studies of aquatic restoration activities around the country. The committee examines: key concepts and techniques used in restoration; common factors in successful restoration efforts; threats to the health of the nation's aquatic ecosystems; approaches to evaluation before, during, and after a restoration project; and the emerging specialties of restoration and landscape ecology.