Environmental Restoration

GEOG62022 Environmental Restoration 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Timothy Allott Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 “There has never been a more urgent need to restore damaged ecosystems than now” (UNEP 2021)2021- 2030 is the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Anthropogenic activities have profoundly altered environments and ecosystems at all scales from local to global. The human aspiration to live sustainably means we need to more effectively manage environments and ecosystems to prevent future degradation, but there is now also recognition of the imperative to actively restore damaged environments and ecosystems. This is needed to help address the global climate and biodiversity crises, and respond to associated environmental pressures such as increased flood frequency, water resource availability, food security etc.Environmental Restoration can be defined as the process of assisting the recovery of an environment or ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed, and as a term is often used interchangeably with Ecological or Ecosystem Restoration. Physical geographers are increasingly focusing on environmental restoration as a practical application of our knowledge of earth surface processes and environmental change, for example through advising environmental managers on river restoration or coastal management schemes for flood defence. This course reviews the principles and concepts of environmental restoration before critically evaluating a range of examples, focusing throughout on the science that underpins and informs restoration interventions. “There has never been a more urgent need to restore damaged ecosystems than now” (UNEP 2021)2021- 2030 is the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Anthropogenic activities have profoundly altered environments and ecosystems at all scales from local to global. The human aspiration to live sustainably means we need to more effectively manage environments and ecosystems to prevent future degradation, but there is now also recognition of the imperative to actively restore damaged environments and ecosystems. This is needed to help address the global climate and biodiversity crises, and respond to associated environmental pressures such as increased flood frequency, water resource availability, food security etc.Environmental Restoration can be defined as the process of assisting the recovery of an environment or ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed, and as a term is often used interchangeably with Ecological or Ecosystem Restoration. Physical geographers are increasingly focusing on environmental restoration as a practical application of our knowledge of earth surface processes and environmental change, for example through advising environmental managers on river restoration or coastal management schemes for flood defence. This course reviews the principles and concepts of environmental restoration before critically evaluating a range of examples, focusing throughout on the science that underpins and informs restoration interventions. <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Review the principles and concepts of environmental and ecological restoration.</li> <li>Explore a range of examples and case studies of environmental restoration, potentially including river restoration, ecosystem recovery from acid rain, peatland restoration, forest restoration, coastal restoration, natural flood management, and landscape scale-rewilding.</li> <li>Gain a scientifically grounded understanding of the strategies and techniques used to restore degraded or damaged environments.</li> <li>Critically examine the role of environmental and ecological restoration for environmental management at a range of scales from global to local.</li></ul> By the end of the course, students should:<ul> <li>Have detailed understanding of the key principles and concepts of environmental and ecological restoration</li> <li>Be familiar with a wide range of practical examples of environmental restoration and be able to critically evaluate their value in terms of ecosystem services</li></ul><ul> <li>Appreciate the hydrological, geomorphological, and ecological processes underpinning the science of environmental restoration</li> <li>Identify strengths and weaknesses of environmental restoration schemes</li> <li>Understand the wider role of environmental restoration in environmental management.</li></ul> The course is delivered through ‘flipped’ learning. Students prepare for the classes by completing essential preparation activities (typically watching pre-prepared videos and reading key articles). The classes themselves focus on reviewing this material through structured small-group and full-class discussions. The core of the course is therefore delivered through a series of flexible two-hour and one-hour ‘workshop’ sessions.  There are no standard lectures, although the course leader may use slides to reinforce key material during the discussions.All classes are supported by directed online learning activities accessible via BlackBoard, divided into ‘essential’ and ‘additional’ preparation activities for each class. These typically consist of two or three 10-15 minute ‘lecture’ videos to introduce key concepts or case studies, key readings, and links to other web resources. Guidance is provided on the key questions to be discussed in each of the classes.A one-day fieldclass will be run to study practical examples of restoration. The course will also include two online (Zoom or BlackBoard collaborate) workshops with external speakers from the restoration practitioner community, to provide opportunity for students to interface with those implementing restoration projects. Students are expected to fully engage with the preparation activities to support the classes, and fully participate in the small-group and full-class. Student ‘study groups’ of 5-6 will be used to facilitate discussion and provide peer support, both online and in the classroom. 0 Other 100% Formative coursework proposal, (One side of A4)Individual coursework paper focusing on a restoration topic. In consultation with the courser leader, students select their own topic and course paper title. (3000 words), 67%Science Briefing Paper on a restoration issue aimed at a policy/practitioner audience. (Two sides of A4), 33% Formative feedback:<ul> <li>Written feedback via Turnitin</li> <li>Oral Feedback in help sessions</li></ul>Summative feedback:<ul> <li>Written feedback via Turnitin</li></ul> MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco PGDT Taught Component Optional N  Starter readings and relevant journals <a href="https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/">The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-30)</a><a href="https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/">https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/</a>The website for the UN decade on ecosystem restoration. Still slightly sparsely populated (as of April 2021) but content will no doubt expand. Some good basic statements explaining what they mean by restoration, and some material on their strategy. Alison, S.K. & Murphy, S.D. (2017) Routledge Handbook of Ecological and Environmental Restoration. London: Routledge. Girardin, C.A.J. and 7 others (2021) Nature-based solutions can cool the planet – if we act now. Nature 593, 191- 194. Holl, K.D. (2020) Primer of Ecological Restoration. Island Press, 202pp. Much fuller reading and support activity lists will be provided during the course. Key journals more specific readings during the course will Fieldwork 7 Lectures 2 Practical classes & workshops 24 0 117