Teaching the Assessment of Landscape Function in the Field: Enabling the Design and Selection of Appropriate Restoration Techniques

Abstract

Groups in society interested in restoring disturbed landscapes range from self-motivated community groups to big commercial enterprises. While restoration goals are generally identified, the initial starting position for many projects is often characterized by too small a knowledge base and hence the selection process for choosing a restoration technique is not rigorous. Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) is an in-the-field, indicator-based procedure that allows rapid assessment of how well a landscape works as a biophysical system. The rapid conversion of raw field data into useful information is a key design feature. This enables restoration planners and practitioners to understand the effect of disturbances and their drivers, so that appropriate techniques can be devised and implemented to attain restoration goals. The same procedure can be used to monitor restoration progress, once significant and relevant milestones are identified that can be monitored over time. I will describe how I teach this technique in the field and recount how this has enabled restoration practitioners to focus on the underlying disturbances.