Les références en écologie de la restauration

Abstract

This paper first defines the concept of “reference” regarding environmental restoration projects. The concept of “restoration” itself is developed in relation to contemporary uses of cultural and notably architectural preservation. A difference is made between economic and social reconstruction aims on the one hand and ecological or conservation goals on the other. While it must be based on historical and present day knowledge of the area, the choice of ecological references is also dependent on the collaboration of interested parties, local agents and institutional partners. Also it is generally unrealistic to aim to recreate environments as they existed previous to alteration or damage. The second part presents an analysis of the various uses of the concept of “reference” among members of the research group “Recréer la Nature” (recreate nature). It is shown that restoration references often mix poorly understood and sometimes idealized historic knowledge, present day effects of previous actions and social or conservation goals. Pragmatically, the research group defines three main types of restoration references : those linked to emergency repair or risk prevention ; those that mainly underscore biodiversity reasons to define rehabilitation strategies by ending the causes of disruption ; and last references linked to rejuvenation problems of abandoned lands or on the way to be abandoned. The third part discusses socio-ecological conditions for a “good restoration”, in the context of evolving practices of restoration project managers. The links between projects and actual or potential requests from the scientific or political community are pointed out. These requests define work groups and aims. Furthermore each project is singular, linked to an environment whose history, ecology, and future evolution are specific. Nevertheless, knowledge of these specifics is difficult as they pertain to different scales of time and space. This difficulty nevertheless doesn’t impede action, especially prudent experimental action, provided simplistic solutions are avoided.