Can ecosystem restoration help save the planet?
The UN thinks so. At stantec, we agree. Here's why.
At stantec, we agree.
Here's why.
The UN declared 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Done properly, ecosystem restoration does so much more than provide pretty landscapes and recreation spaces. Explore how ecosystem restoration benefits water, land, people, and our planet’s resilience, enhancing biodiversity and spurring economic growth.
Water
Land
People
Resilience
The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) defines ecosystem restoration as “the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.”
Quality
Like nature’s kidneys, restored ecosystems— particularly restored wetlands—help keep our waterways healthy.
Stormwater
Ecosystem restoration is engineering a balance between humans and nature. This balance integrates stormwater runoff into the landscape to protect the public and the natural environment.
Flooding
Incorporating natural floodplain features and processes can reduce flood hazards.
WATER
LAND
RESILIENCE
PEOPLE
Water is a key ingredient of a vibrant ecosystem. Sustainable and resilient solutions depend on healthy shorelines, oceans, reefs, and inland water resources.
It’s all connected. Restored, healthy ecosystems are vital to human health. Ecosystems provide water and food, and protection from natural disasters, while regulating the climate and controlling pollutants and disease.
Coastal
Restored, healthy coastal environments—like wetlands, marshes, and barrier islands—are nature’s protection to storm surges and extreme weather events.
Supply
Restored ecosystems increase our overall supply of clean, drinkable water. Native species use less water than invasive species and reduced streambank erosion helps maintain water reservoir capacity.
Habitat
Restoring degraded ecosystems creates healthy habitats where both terrestrial and underwater flora and fauna can flourish.
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Promoting long-term resiliency of the Big Thompson River watershed by working with nature, not against her
Restored ecosystems increase our overall supply of clean, drinkable water. Native species use less water than invasive species and reduced streambank erosion helps maintain water reservoir capacity. Like nature’s kidneys, restored ecosystems— particularly restored wetlands—help keep our waterways healthy.
promoting long-term resiliency of the big thompson river watershed by working with nature, not against her
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Restored ecosystems create healthy habitats where flora and fauna can flourish.
Biodiversity
A healthy habitat enables biodiversity to flourish. Biodiversity is an integral part of the ecosystem web—we depend on the resources and the ecosystems that sustain them to provide life’s essentials.
Restoring land for native species to thrive and improving soil, water, and air quality requires understanding and planning. A sustainable future depends on reduced land degradation and increased biodiversity.
Orchids are the “canary in a coal mine” of ecological systems.
Buffering
Incorporating the human element back into nature–with balance. Urban green spaces promote an active lifestyle, improve air quality, provide erosion and runoff control, reduce noise pollution, and conserve energy by mitigating temperatures.
Food
Biodiversity requires a healthy food supply and clean water. Restored ecosystems give us both.
How restoring ecosystems can help to combat the pollinator crisis
Climate Change
Promoting natural climate solutions such as restored ecosystems stores carbon from the atmosphere, which reduces the effects of global warming.
It’s all connected. Revitalized ecosystems are vital. By design, ecosystems naturally provide clean water, food, and protection from natural disasters.
Pollutants
A healthy ecosystem acts as a giant filter, naturally removing pollutants from the environment and recycling them organically.
Natural Disasters
Ecosystem restoration is our best defense to mitigate natural disasters. Restored ecosystems can absorb the harmful effects of storms, floods, fires, and droughts.
Revitalizing and restoring a 185-acre wetland site treasured by the Deer Grove, Illinois community
A healthy ecosystem acts as a giant filter, naturally removing pollutants from the environment and recycling them organically.Ecosystem restoration is engineering a balance between humans and nature. This balance integrates stormwater runoff into the landscape to protect the public and the natural environment.
Promoting natural climate solutions such as restored ecosystems stores carbon from the atmosphere, which reduces the effects of global warming. Like nature’s kidneys, restored ecosystems— particularly restored wetlands—help keep our waterways healthy.
Health
Healthy ecosystems give us clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, a sustainable food supply, and so much more. From recreation to economic benefits, restored ecosystems have a direct, positive impact on human health.
Stewardship
We all have a responsibility to be good stewards of our planet—to leave it a better place than we found it. Ecosystem restoration helps to sustain life, and ensure we have a livable, healthy planet.
The Hatchery Creek self-sustaining trout stream: an enhanced outdoor recreation area
Healthy ecosystems = healthy people. Ecosystems provide the necessities of life—food, water, protection—and benefit our physical and mental health.
Explore Stantec’s Ecosystem Restoration Capabilities
