Scientific Soundness and Socio-Economic Realities in Reclamation for Habitat

Abstract

Reclamation projects must balance data requirements for scientifically-sound design with uncertainty and socioeconomic constraints. Whether designing for physical stability, cultural benefits or ecological enhancements, the reclamation project can work with or fight natural processes (physical, chemical, biological). Projects which anticipate and design to fit natural processes have greater chances of success with lower short and long-term cost, and with achievement of a greater range of social objectives. However, the cost of anticipating natural processes (succession, geomorphic patterns, etc.) increases the budget allocation at the design stage in order to save on construction and maintenance. In southern Ontario, once design teams recognize that designing for an "ideal" natural condition is not feasible, they too often revert to conventional, single-objective approaches which compromise design integrity and social benefits. Case studies are reviewed with analysis of alternative approaches that seek to balance ranges of achievable objectives with cost allocation and scientific soundness.

Development of industrial minerals in Colorado

“…It is important to reclaim the land with respect to its geomorphology and natural processes. Land so reclaimed will have long-term stability, lower long-term costs, greater diversity, and visual harmony (Trimble, 1997;Bugosh, 2002). Reclamation and ecological restoration projects that anticipate unwanted effects and work with natural processes are more likely to be successful from a social, economic, and environmental objective (Trimble, 1997;Bugosh, 2002).…”

An Evolution of Reclamation Approaches Through the Life of a Southern Ontario Gravel Pit

“…Environmental considerations in earlier rehabilitation objectives across North America were overshadowed by concerns for slope stability, safety, land use and community perceptions (Morris, 1982). More recent approaches exemplify the need to place rehabilitation in the context of ecological and emerging social values (Trimble, 1997;Wade and Tritton, 1997).…”

“…However, there has also been a general acknowledgement that reclamation design that is restricted to only portions of local ecosystem functions tend to be less cost effective or successful than holistic, systems level design (Andrews and Kinsman, 1990;Bradshaw, 1984;Trimble, 1997).…”

“…A central premise of the rehabilitation strategy is to work with (in anticipation of) natural processes, promoting invasion and establishment of local, native species to accelerate early successional stages (Browning, 1998;Trimble, 1997). An understanding of successional trajectories from the species composition of mature forests in the region provided valuable information about the potential climax communities, primary succession processes and local invaders.…”