The society of Ecological Restoration defines “ecological restoration” as an “intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability.

Renewing and restoring land to a natural state or as close as possible to it has come to play a big role within the management of mines, industries and other major developments. This is done by determining historic condition of the degraded area, followed by restoring or rehabilitating the area and then ensuring proper management activities are in place and followed accordingly. In the event when the land cannot be restored back to its natural state, specifically in cases when mining has resulted in major landscape changes, for example, the excavation of rock materials, land reclamation becomes an option, and mining pits are refilled and the land can then be used for industrial purposes. In this case the ecosystem has been transformed (change in ecosystem type or change in land use of area).

• Determination of historic conditions or comparison with reference ecosystems

• Develop restoration plans that are feasible and practical

• Restoration management

 

 

Gravel pit prior to restoration	Stored topsoil containing seed bank for restoration purposes	Stagnant water in quarry pits can lead to groundwater pollution