Ecological engineering—the 7-year itch

Abstract

Ecological engineering has developed at a considerable pace since 1989. A journal has been formed and has prospered, a professional society has developed, and a major international SCOPE project has started. Some ecological underpinnings of ecological engineering such as self-design have become well established, but the involvement of the engineering fraternity has been slower due to professional constraints. Ecological engineering, which involves both ecological and engineering disciplines, needs to integrate the two fields into a new meta-discipline that includes professional accreditation. Ecosystem restoration, possibly a sub-field of ecological engineering, also has such professional questions. Altogether, 12 fundamental questions about the future of ecological engineering are posed and six recommendations are given on possible approaches that need to be taken to insure a healthy development of the field.