Ecology Restoration

Video shot and edited by me; Ananya Bhattacharya

Ecological restoration is a worthwhile and necessary endeavor; it's the least we humans can do to give back to the Earth that has given us life. Restoration returns degraded ecosystems to their previous glory and natural state. Biological communities have been destroyed and tampered with over time as a result of man-made and natural disasters. Many species of plants and animals have gone extinct as a result.
Restoration can prevent this from happening, by introducing plants and sometimes animals into the ecosystem. These organisms are able to remove and metabolize toxins materials [bioremediation], or these organisms may add essential materials to the ecosystem [biological augmentation].
The removal of invasive species [seen in the video above, we are cutting down invasive trees and removing them from the environment] is another means by which an environment can be restored. By removing species that have taken over an ecosystem in which they do not belong, the ecosystem can be restored to it's original state, with its original organisms thriving.
The benefits of restoration ecology are that by improving the state of a single ecosystem, we can make a difference in the biosphere. A small difference in one ecosystem could potentially impact the rest of the world. Its like a chain reaction.
But, this is not always the case; sometimes, restoration may be impractical or difficult to keep with. Some ecosystems may be so overrun with invasive species, that it becomes impossible to control the population.
Putting the pros and cons aside, I believe that this sort of work with nature is a very healing and therapeutic activity for humans. In this day and age, we've become out of touch with nature. Spending time outside, and caring for the Earth, gives us an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world around us.