Most Polluted Ecosystems Can Recover, Study Finds

[Staff]

Most Polluted Ecosystems Can Recover, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (May 28, 2009) — Most polluted or damaged ecosystems worldwide can recover within a lifetime if societies commit to their cleanup or restoration, according to an analysis of 240 independent studies by researchers at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Their findings will appear in the June edition of the journal PLoS ONE.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090527105713.htm
excerpts from above:

The Yale researchers found that forest ecosystems recovered in 42 years on average, while ocean bottoms recovered in less than 10 years. When examined by disturbance type, ecosystems undergoing multiple, interacting disturbances recovered in 56 years, and those affected by either invasive species, mining, oil spills or trawling recovered in as little as five years. Most ecosystems took longer to recover from human-induced disturbances than from natural events, such as hurricanes.

The researchers said the analysis rebuts speculation that it will take centuries or millennia for degraded ecosystems to recover and justifies an increased effort to restore degraded areas for the benefit of future generations. "Restoration could become a more important tool in the management portfolio of conservation organizations that are entrusted to protect habitats on landscapes," said Schmitz.

[milkweed]

Good news.

[amelanchier]

I assume recovery from invasive species only happens if the invasive species are controlled, right? Otherwise, the situation would just keep getting worse. (I hate press-release summaries of scientific research...)

[TheLorax]

I assume recovery from invasive species only happens if the invasive species are controlled, right?

Your assumption would be correct.